Five O'Clock Shadow

Light And Shade Under A Tropical Sky

Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON

This was a strange moment, but I'm so glad I followed my instincts. I had spent most of the day in Singapore shooting different aspects of the city under a sullen tropical sky. Twice the heavens opened and twice I had to take shelter, away from the streets, to protect my precious camera. Late in the evening I made my way to the area known as Little India and as I walked through an arcade, the sun scythed dramatically through the clouds for a few brief moments.

The rich shadows on this mustard-coloured wall intrigued me. It was as if the scene had taken on a personality of its own and was inviting me to capture the rich mix of dappled and strong horizontal shadows. I don't know who the person was, leaning languidly against a wall. But he was a perfect counterpoint for the bright paintwork on the mailbox that was at arm's length away from him.

I was still separated from him by an entire street-width. Would I wait? Would I start shooting? The sun ebbed, as if it were teasing me. The man and the mailbox were practically the same height, a perfect counterpoint to each other. There was always the danger that he would change position or walk away - and the shot would be lost forever.

The sun returned and I swung the camera up quickly to shoot three frames before the clouds obliterated the sun entirely. But there was a busy street in front of me. A taxi appeared in one frame, a car in another. This one had just what I wanted. Just lucky.