Saturday, May 03, 2008

Parsley, Sage, Rosemary - And Time

Tick Talk, Tick Talk, Tick Talk

Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON


Do you have some time on your hands? Yep, I do. Literally. My watch needed a new battery a fortnight ago and so I borrowed my son’s watch. The first day I picked up this new macro lens, I shot some frames in our backyard and I was on my way back into the house when I just fired off this random shot, of the borrowed watch on my wrist. I had my hand on the door frame and I thought the unusual angle and the low light would be a perfect test for the lens.

I didn't shoot this photograph specifically for this week's Photo Hunt theme, which is "Time" - but as I sat down to write this post, I realised the shot was ideal for the theme.

The really interesting thing is that this photograph was taken indoors, late on a cloudy afternoon, with no internal lighting switched on in the house. I reckon the detail in this shot, as well as the depth of field, is not bad at all. Then again, maybe the shot wouldn’t have worked so well outdoors, because there would have been some reflection on the silvery surface.

This shot (above) was taken in Singapore on 14 December. I was walking across a street with my camera around my neck when I noticed a small detail. Apart from the illuminated green figure showing that it is safe to cross, is a time countdown display, showing you exactly how many seconds you have to cross safely.

Here’s the challenge, for a photographer – the display flashes on and off rather quickly. In the first frame (above) I hit the shutter as the display flashed off. D’oh! So, what’s a bloke to do? I stopped dead, in the middle of the crossing, to time the next shot (below) perfectly. Just the sort of thing you’d do too, if you wanted the right shot!

Here's an interesting footnote to the Singapore shots. Look at both frames and you can see that they were taken only four seconds apart. I guess my reaction time ain't too bad!

This shot (above) was taken a couple of days later, on the same whirlwind trip. I was in Dehra Dun, northern India, on 16 December. It was a cold morning, even though the sun was up and sky was a startling blue. I took two or three shots in this sequence, one of which can be seen at Guardian Angles and which the very witty Maggie May said reminded her of Madonna and her famous conical bra in her early days!

Quite honestly, the connection to Madonna didn’t strike me (although it should have) so I went on to shoot this vertical frame of the whitewashed clock tower against the cloudless sky. I was actually standing on the parade ground when I took this shot. So I guess you could forgive me for saying that time, in this case, quite literally marches on.

47 comments:

Sandi McBride said...

It's amazing how much you travel, what superb shots you manage to get and how much it makes me miss our traveling! But that's fine, you just keep taking those shots and sharing them with the rest of us and I'll be your computer chair traveler willingly!
ps
How is the new job going? Is it what you thought it might be or better (or worse)? Good luck with it, David...

Daryl said...

If while you are looking at the 05 on the crossing thingie .. and you blink you can make time MOVE .. 06 05 05 06 .. blink blink .. do it to a honk honk beep beep beat and your eyelids will dance!!!

:-Daryl

Dave Coulter said...

I'm still trying to get an answer for why time goes faster as you get older.

Here it is May, and just last week it was April! ;)

Craver Vii said...

Yup, I expect it would be just like you to stop in the middle of the traffic to snap a photograph. Beep beep!

Cale Atkinson said...

Hi David,
Thanks so much for the kind words on my blog. I have attempted to get in touch with some book publishers but alas haven't quite broken through that wall yet. If ya ever need an illustrator I'm always open :)
You have some great photography here!
Really enjoyed checking out your blog

Carver said...

Those are all good shots for the time theme. The detail on the macros of the watch are excellent and the tower with the clock is lovely. I had to laugh at your title because I used my "wild thyme" pillow in my time post and I also included Simon and Garfunkel singing old friends/bookends as a punctuation mark to the post although not technically part of my photohunt. So although we had very different shots I couldn't help but think we had some of the same reactions to seeing time as the theme.

Cale Atkinson said...

Hi David,
Thanks a lot for the great enthusiasm, I really appreciate it! I actually have contacted publishers here in Canada as well as the US. I have also luckily found an Art Rep. out in the US which is willing to take me on. So hopefully some good things will be coming from that! Otherwise than that I'm working on finding various contract jobs. Would you have any other suggestions by chance?
Thanks!

Cale

Anonymous said...

Hi David, nice take for this week's theme. I like the first photo a lot. you are such a good photographer. Have a nice weekend.

Unknown said...

Great shot of the watch, and your description is, as ever, very vivid. Your stopping in the middle of the traffic sounds like Tom's experience recently with Sky Watching! I presume I would do the same, although thankfully I haven't had the opportunity to try this out yet. :)

Cheers,

David Webb - Nature Pictures

Susan Demeter said...

Beautiful shots for the theme :) Happy photo hunting, and thanks so much for stopping by!

Anonymous said...

wonderful entries! and i find the traffic light with time very unique.

Anonymous said...

Love that macro shot of the watch.

Cath said...

I love the shot of the watch - perfect. And I think you are right - all the better for being indoors with no lighting. Worked a treat.

The crossing photos are good too! Quick reactions. Very good. It probably would take about 20 or 30 shots for me to get that one! (If not more...)

ancient one said...

Lots of time to take photos of time... Great take on this week's theme!

Katney said...

I am glad that YOU took the crossing shots rather than CrazyCath (I've read the comments befor eme.) If it would have takne her 20 or 30 shots she might have been run over.

Great time, here, David. Mine will be up in time, too.

Anonymous said...

I love the watch shot, that macro lens obviously have a large aperture! And stopping in the middle of the street? I've done that for night shots of cars. Crazy eh?

Corey~living and loving said...

Great post David. Love the macro. :)
it is a fun theme, huh? Mine is up as well. :)

Anonymous said...

I really enjoyed my visit here. Your photos are great.
I appreciate your visit to my site too, even though I sorta feel like the country bumkin now.. lol...

Sarge Charlie said...

it is a good time down under... when you gonna fire up the barbie

Napaboaniya.Elaine Ling said...

My kids and I enjoy counting together with those traffic timers while we count the road :P It's useful allowing pedestrians to know in how many more seconds the traffic will change :) Prevents us from dashing across the roads unknowingly.
Have a good weekend David!

jmb said...

Great shots as usual David. Oh to have the eye, or is it that you take so many and throw away the junk? Definitely not. Have a good weekend.

Unknown said...

I am blown away by your wonderful photography! thanks for popping in to share some watermelon....

we are at opposite sides of the world...summer will be starting here in a little while...and you are heading into winter...

hope you have a wonderful day!

valerie walsh said...

You have a great blog and you take beautiful pictures!!!

Panaderos said...

Great shots from all those great places! Thanks for sharing. :)

Anonymous said...

lovely shot, i like the way you shot for the 1st watch :D

Visit mine also Thanks

Juliana RW said...

nice shot for all your pics :P

Will you visit mine Thanks

AVCr8teur said...

I'm with Dave, time does seem to go faster as I get older with or without the watch battery dying.

Anonymous said...

David, these are wonderful photos, as always.

Have a great weekend.

jams o donnell said...

Great shots. I'm not sure I would have got teh timing right to capture the number on that street sighn. Have a great weekend

MaR said...

Great shot of the watch and romantic title, I will be singing that song all day today. Beautiful!!
Happy PH and happy weekend, mine is posted here.

Akelamalu said...

You always get such intricate shots with your camera.

Colin Campbell said...

Beautiful watch shot. I don't wear a watch, but that is what I would wear.

Barb said...

Loved the Title of the post! ;-) And the clock tower!

marcia@joyismygoal said...

I love macro they so make us look at things differently

Sandy said...

Amazing time photo....

Write From Karen said...

Not a bad photo of the watch for just snapping it off. And you're right, the lighting is quite good.

Love the countdown on the street sign. I appreciate that they do that now.

Write From Karen

Hootin Anni said...

excellent, as always David.

My "Time" is a Springtime ritual! Stop by if you can, have a super duper weekend.

Anonymous said...

the first picture is perfect!

Stacey Olson said...

Great time post. I was once asked what I do in my "spare" time... I had to really think about that one.. I am not sure I know what "spare time" is. I am ALWAYS doing something, even if it is procrastinating(grin) or just relaxing.. I wouldn't say I have any spare time, time is precious.. thanks for sharing

Mima said...

David, you have got a fantastic watch shot there, can't believe it was a one take, on passing shot - you really do have the most fantastic eye. I could spend ages trying to get the shot right, loads of frames, and still not get it as good as that - I guess that's a professional for you!

imac said...

Time, on my hands, no not yet,lol.
Sure twas a great post of time from you David.

come and visit the time in paris.
also Golden Pond.

Unknown said...

That first shot is stunning!!

Anonymous said...

As long as you get across when it gets to zero :)

Great shots. I love the clock tower.

Tokenhippygirl said...

I absolutely love the shot of the watch. Sometimes the best photos happen when we're just snapping away. Great shot! As far as your reaction time goes... pretty good!

Bengbeng said...

great post u have done this week....i particularly am impressed yr camera can reload n u take a pic 4 seconds apart. my reflexes r not that fast.

Hilary said...

I love that watch image best of all.. and of course your timely puns.

Unknown said...

The first shot of your watch is very good. Brilliant DOF David!