What's Up, Guv'nor?
Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHONPre-dawn and late-evening photography always brings an amazing palette of colours - as you can see from this shot of the flag tower of Government House here in Melbourne. This shot was taken on Thursday morning and I knew I'd get some vivid colours across the sky because the weather forecast said there would be no cloud cover. These yellow and blue hues are very common in Melbourne - and my regular readers would know that I never Photoshop my images. There's simply no need to enhance an image, if you are blessed with scenes as striking as this.
Government House is the official residence of the Governor of Victoria and there could not be a more idyllic location - nestled between the Royal Botanic Gardens and Kings Domain. This, the belvedere tower, is about 50 metres high. Therefore, to get this panoramic view, I could not shoot from ground level, because I would not have captured the amber-yellow wash across the horizon. In order to use the most efficient photographic geometry, I shot this at the same height as the tower, from a city building. Do you agree it was well worth the effort?
25 comments:
Great colours and interesting sil' of the Tower, David. Definitely worth the effort :-)
Wonderful photo; it reminds me of an early morning scene I experienced many years ago in an Alpine meadow.
Hi Ananda,
Thank you. I was very lucky to get those colours, so the silhouette worked well.
Keep smiling
David
Thank you, Nick,
It's been twenty years since I was last in an Alpine meadow - and the Swiss Alps made me realise just how majestic Mount Kanchenjunga really was, as the backdrop for my boarding school.
We just took it for granted back then!
Keep smiling
David
Certainly worth it. Those yellow hues must be nice - we get a lot of reds and pinks up North here but no yellow.
how's the land down... gooday. what's the word on your book? how long 'til we see it? you said to write back if i didn't hear from you by last Tuesday... foot in the door.
Fantastic photo David.... good enough to hang on your wall.
G'day David,
The reds up in your neck of the woods would be spectacular.
I'd love to spend a week up there doing nothing but photography.
One day ....
Keep smiling
David
When I was a child, my mother developed a favorite art project. We would cut out an outline of the rooftops of Bethlehem, glue it on a black background, and then, using window screen and a toothbrush, create a sprinkle effect of stars in the sky over the rooftop skyline. This photo reminds me of that project. Thanks for the lovely memory! Very nice!
G'day Bygpowis,
Not sure how long it'll be before it hits the bookshelves, but I'll keep you updated here on my blog.
What I'd love to see you do is:
a) keep writing
b) start thinking about a submission to agents when you have three or four chapters ready. Typically, most agents want to see a synopsis and two or three chapters. You've made a great start and I'd love to be able to help you get published. For details on submission/ query letters to agents, see my early posts in the `Telling Write From Wrong Series'.
Don't lose sight of your narrative aim. And don;t lose track or that wonderful observation you bring to the re-creation of a very illuminating transition.
Go with confidence - and I'll always be here to help.
Keep smiling
David
Hi Mike,
Thank you so much. In all honesty, I would have to admit that I seem to be blessed with an unfair proportion of countless wonderful photographic opportunities.
It's almost as if someone creates them for me and says, ``There you go, lad, capture that.''
Maybe there's more truth to that than I would ever know in this life.
And maybe that's why my greatest joy is in sharing the knowledge and in teaching others.
Keep smiling
David
Hi Lee,
That reminds me of something. My mother was a Sunday School teacher and she would often create her own visuals for lessons.
I learnt many things from her. More things than I could ever acknowledge in words.
God bless your Mum
Keep smiling
David
A very pretty silhouette. Hi from another journalist too!
Hi Lynn,
I was very lucky with this one. I was a long way away, so I used the 125mm lens.
Normally I go in very close to my subjects but sometimes we just have to go for the wide-shot option!
I have to say tha colours in Australia are simply breathtaking.
No Photoshop program could ever achieve what we see on a daily basis.
Keep smiling and do keep in touch.
David
Like the seamless blend from gold to blue in the sky. The silhouette of the tower and surrounding has a strong presence in the photograph.
that photo is really great...beutiful colours...
thanks for the thoughts. as i've said, i have a full manuscript. the book is done. all that's needed is the right eyes to tell me what you already know: i can write. i understand the process. done the query letters --hundreds-- and agents --hundreds. i know it takes time. writers have to suffer for their craft and all that... no one wants to take a chance on an unknown. i don't have a name so i can't bring an audience to a publisher's bottom line. you know market forces, david. i'm not that naive to think things will all work out in the end. all i have to do is go kill someone, go to jail, create a name and then my genius will be ready for sale. sorry state of affairs, right? it's paris hilton's world.
we all need help. i need help. the world ain't so much about what you know. i know a lot and can communicate it through the written word. i need to know someone. i need to know someone with the cache to say, "this guy has something." that's all it takes. when nobody knew you, somebody had to know you to get your book projects going. i'm dong the leg work here, trying to gather a following, through talks, videos, presentations, but... you gotta know people... you know that... foot in the door... please email any replies to bygpowis@hotmail.com. i don't like my business out there for the world.
Makes me want to visit. Lovely shot.
What a fabulous shot. It reminds me of a time when I had just landed at dawn in Instanbul. I looked across the tarmac and the sun was just rising. Very reminiscent
Hi Gwen,
You just summed it up much better than I did ....
Keep smiling
David
Hi Mousie,
Thank you kindly. I can take no credit for the scene or the colours, simply for pressing the trigger to record the sight.
Keep smiling
David
Hi Bigpowis,
Onto it now. Nudge me if you haven't had an email from me by Wednesday ....
Keep smiling
David
Hi Corrie,
Come and visit any time. This is a beautiful city in a beautiful country.
Keep smiling
David
Hi Vic,
I'd love to read more about your Istanbul experience.
Keep smiling
David
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