Tuesday, February 05, 2008

Always Look On The Bright Side

You Could Call This A Self-Portrait, I Guess

Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON


Some weeks ago, I was at work really early and I could see by the colours in the pre-dawn sky that it was going to be a magnificent sunrise. I took a few shots immediately and then returned to the same window about ten minutes later to take another half-dozen or so frames. You know how I always advise other photographers to look around and not become obsessed with a single point of view? Well, I followed my own rule and saw this near-perfect silhouette.

The summer sun was so bright and so intense (yes it's summer here in Australia) that the glow of the reflection was perfect. As you can see, I was very fortunate because this particular section of our floor was being extensively refurbished. The work crew had left a ladder beside a group of desks and when I turned away from the sunrise, this was exactly what I saw.

It was a strange feeling, because I'm not used to including myself in a frame. Still, it was too good an opportunity to miss. What you see to the left of my face is the camera strap. And of course you know that I never crop or enhance my photos, so what you see here is exactly what I saw through the lens that morning.

Look carefully at the image and you'll see faint parallel lines across the wall. They're the reflection from the horizontal blinds at the window facing the sun. As a pure and simple lucky image, I reckon I'll never score better than this off-the-cuff shot.

31 comments:

virtual nexus said...

That is one very cool picture....

A.Bananna said...

that is so cool! good shot!

Mima said...

What a great photo, you are right to be really pleased with it. And its nice to have one or two of you in your collection. The colours and composition are great.

lime said...

pretty nifty how that all worked out!

Tom said...

Is that Hank Marvin..?

Sandi McBride said...

Nice shot David...it could be a scene from an old detective movie...like say, The Maltese Falcon
Sandi

none said...

The reflection of the blinds makes the wall look like a decorative screen.

Kat said...

That is a great shot! Wow!

Thanks for adding me to your blogroll! I am honored!

Monique said...

A magnificent shot David.

paris parfait said...

What a great shot! Coming here very belatedly to thank you for your lovely comment on my blog. Sorry, but a long bout w/ bronchitis has me seriously behind w/ email. Will be back to visit your blog again! Best, Tara @ Paris Parfait

Misty DawnS said...

Hey David - I just wanted to drop by to inform you that you have a very, very special award waiting for you over at www.mistysmusings.com - I think you'll really like it!

All of my Todays said...

Beautiful shot it is so well balanced. x

Seeker said...

Thank you for stopped at my blog and left a comment. It's always nice.
I've been checking yours and I'm liking it.
I really love this photo, the reflection of the blinds is a great detail.
I think I'll check you now and then.
Namasté

imac said...

Neat, very neat. well done David.
Meeeeee and my shadowwwww la la la..

katherine. said...

that is a great shot....I always like how you see things....

(I'm catching up...slowly....)

Anonymous said...

good advice....to look on the bright side!

Buscador said...

Oh I really like this one. I loved the colors and I think you did a fantastic job!

-Buscador

Mom Knows Everything said...

Really neat shot!

Andree said...

Isn't that cool! Great idea and I'm going to try it (whenever we get some sun). We aren't snowed in and looks like we won't be for awhile: another thaw coming. Yuck. I want more winter.

BTW: I saw on a site a self-portrait, nude! Of a man. That was brave. Or a huge ego.

myonlyphoto said...

David interesting photo, I do the same all the time, I photograph my shadow, at least know that I was there, lol. This post shows your attention to detail, never noticed the blinds. Thanks for sharing, Anna :)

Bob Johnson said...

Very cool shot, hey, Anna, you should post one of your shadow shots,lol.

myonlyphoto said...

Ha ha Bob I heard you, and it will have two wings and one signing mouth, just like my icon, lol. Anna :)

Leslie: said...

love the colours and I noticed the lines on the walls before you mentioned them. Excellent!

Unknown said...

The colours are indeed magnificent. Great shot David. Thanks for sharing.

John said...

Wow! What a brilliant capture!

Sandy Kessler said...

Embrace life all of it - You do !!!!

indicaspecies said...

Wow, that's really captivating!
Well done Mr. Salvador Dali. ;)

Anonymous said...

Fabulous shot. How lovely to have that sunshine it is snowing right now.

I have tried to come up with a limerick but not this time I am afraid nothing seemed to work

D... said...

I love silhouette pictures. I'm not sure why, but I do.

Neva said...

what a great picture! you did a good job! and you can always list me on your side bar....:) I have you on mine!

Cath said...

Well you might never read this as it is an old post, but I am such a chatterbox, I had to comment. It is a great post and I would not have recognised the silhouette as you from your blog photo. Pretty neat colours from the sunrise and really sharp shadows. Glad you turned around...

You posted this just days before I started blogging, and probably only a couple of weeks before you "discovered" me and I discovered you! So much I have missed...