Friday, May 02, 2008

My Big Fat Creek Heading

Silver Water Glistens Under A Rising Sun

Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON


A couple of weeks ago, when I shot this series of photographs, I could see we were in for a great sunrise. Crisp morning. Clear blue sky. Smattering of white cloud low on the horizon.


So I drove to a nearby creek to try and capture a uniquely Australian perspective across a flat dry land.


I was intrigued by this scene (above) with the range of light across the sky, followed by the utter darkness across the barren landscape in the middle of the frame and finally the beautiful reflection in the still water of the creek, at the very bottom of the frame.


For this series, I chose the 70-300mm lens rather than the 18-125mm lens because I didn't want to keep changing lenses throughout the shoot. While I walked closer to the creek bed, I realised that the best colour range was being played out in the sky, so I swung my camera upwards again.


These shots were all taken with a focal length of 70mm - and only six minutes elapsed between the first frame and the last one. As always, I felt privileged to explore (and to share with you) the dramatic manner in which light conditions change rapidly and a landscape can change complexion several time in a few minutes.

For other participants in Dot’s concept, go to Sky Watch Friday.

55 comments:

Aarti said...

Wow, i simply love the pictures.. i love taking pictures of the sky and the sunrise/sunset.. the clouds and sun play a game of hide and seek, making me smile...:)

lovely....

Maggie May said...

Beautiful sunsets.... beautiful photos!

Sam Fox said...

Way Hey, David! I come into my study after watching the sunrise streak my sky with pink and gold, log on, and Voila! You gave me the second sunrise of the day - all before 7am!

Gorgeous, gorgeous shots.

Kimberly Vanderhorst said...

I have never seen a sky that colour. Incredible!

MamaGeek @ Works For Us said...

Beautiful, that golden hour always produces the most stunnig shots.

Anonymous said...

Can´t say I have ever had such a sky over my head where I live!

Anonymous said...

The photo with the patch of water and color really made an impression on me. I like it a lot.

Anonymous said...

Such beautiful layers of sky. Simply amazing...

SandyCarlson said...

David,
Thanks for this photography lesson in addition to these marvelous photos. It's wonderful to watch the sun make its way through that veil of clouds and imbue the sky with such rich color.

God bless.

Tom said...

Great post David... and a well worth while lesson as well.

Thanks for linking back as well.

Daniel J Santos said...

Beautiful colors and images.

Rune Eide said...

Impressive as always - shifting colours all the way. my favourite must be the one with the reflex in the puddle.

G said...

Beautiful pictures David. Reminds me of a very very late night in the city that had us drive out to the country for a very very early morning watching the sun rise and the turkey vultures circling around the cliffs of the Niagara Escarpment. Well done for capturing that particular light, Ace Boy Photographer!

Petunia said...

Wondeful, David!

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

David: Very special shots of a hot yellow sky.

Unknown said...

Wow, fantastic photos!! What kind of camera do you use?? I'm looking to get a 70mm-300mm lens, what brand is yours?

imac said...

Top notch photography David.

Please come visit mine.

Akelamalu said...

Oh those shots are just fabulous David!

katherine. said...

sunrises!! you do live in a beautiful place!

Unknown said...

Beautiful photos David! It always seems like you have the most gorgeous sunrise and sunsets down under or maybe it's because you capture them so well. Either way I enjoy their beauty.

FO - 2 said...

You captured a very good series here.
Beautiful! :)

Ida

Sandi McBride said...

You know you lose me when you start talking in lens vernacular...but that's alright because the photo's hold my attention pretty darned well...beautiful as always.
Sandi

Mom Knows Everything said...

Yet again simply amazing pictures David!

Unknown said...

What a great compilation of sky shots David!

Rebecca Blevins said...

David, I found you through Kimberly. Those are some lovely, lovely photos. Beautiful job capturing the light in such breathtaking ways!

Anne-Berit said...

So many beautiful photos,love them all:o)

becky aka theRAV said...

These are so beautiful as always. Just golden. Love the title too. I haven't posted my sky watch yet as it is still Thursday here in Georgia. Come see me tomorrow.

Snap Catch said...

wow! nice capture! mine’s up too, glad you could visit. Have a great weekend!

Stacey Olson said...

Great photos. wonderful..! thanks for sharing

mrsnesbitt said...

Awesome David.
I finally answered your question...weekend wandering!

Rose said...

These are heart-stopping beautiful!

Pernille said...

Wow! I wish I could sit there for long time. Looking at this amazing sky! Wonderful colors and wonderful shots!

Champ Townboy said...

Great series of stunning photos!

Bee said...

I love the colors. 2nd to the bottom of the post...OUTstanding.

Thank you for stopping in and saying hi!

Anonymous said...

How amazing that we're all under the same skies but all of us are blessed with different beautiful sights of them. Thanks for sharing your beautiful yellow range.

p/s: David, I went for the Formula Drift Singapore last weekend!! It was really fun... except for the sun burnt I got! :P

Tess Kincaid said...

Spectacular pix...the third one down is my fave. We don't have skies like that in the midwest. Sigh.

Lori said...

Beautiful as always. I think it's amazing how quickly and completely the sky can change. One of nature's blessings of natural loveliness.

Juliana RW said...

Beautifullllllll...

Will you visit mine Thanks

Anonymous said...

gorgeous shots!

Please check out mine Thanks

♥ Denise BC ♥ said...

Wonderful, fascinating colors, great SKY. Nice series, beautiful color photos and incredible.

Anonymous said...

great colors and light

Anonymous said...

I took sunset shots the other day and witnessed a rapid & spectacular change, but my camera refused to record ALL of the colors. AS ever, I am jealous.

Dancin Fool said...

Awesome photos, the sun looks like a breaking yolk.

Have a great weekend!

Hilary said...

Gorgeous photos.. and love that title. :)

Dottie said...

You take amazing photos! That's all there is to it. Every week I can look forward to finding something truly amazing and I'm not disappointed this week. These are stunning!

Anne said...

WHAT some beautiful picturen in ypur shots. I think that I have never seen anything like it !!
Nice weekend wishes you, from Norway.

alicesg said...

Lovely and rich colours of the sky. I like the way you capture the sun setting and the relection on the water. :)

Jane Hards Photography said...

Quite simply stunning. Quite an unusual light. Wonderful.

Cath said...

I love the 3rd shot with those colours and the reflection. The contrasts and depth. Excellent shots. Beautikful sunrise.

Mima said...

What a wonderful play of colours, and as ever you have captured it beautifully.

EG CameraGirl said...

Now that was a morning definitely worth getting up early! What a gorgeous six minutes!

PRH said...

The yellow color is outstanding!

Unknown said...

Seems like Sunrise was a popular theme today! This is a a beautiful series of shots, I love the golden colouring. We tend to get more reddish colours here, and certainly nothing like those clouds. Maybe it's the altitude?

Cheers,

David Webb - Nature Pictures

Anonymous said...

The change in lighting is dramatic! I like the deep blue against the gold!

Lilli & Nevada said...

Again you have taken some very nice photos of the sky.
Thanks for the stop over