Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON
We were at a family wedding at the Hungarian Ev-Lutheran Church last weekend and of course I had my trusty Pentax slung over my shoulder. No, I wasn’t the official photographer, but I still shot 250 frames which the bride and groom enjoyed looking at yesterday.
This shot (above) was taken just after the service ended. I raced outside to get some shots of the couple as they walked out and while I waited, I happened to look up and realised this scene was just waiting to be photographed.
The sky was really interesting, with light cloud interspersed with patches of blue, highlighting the silhouette of the steeple. I had deliberately chosen to use my 18-125mm lens that afternoon, so I had the flexibility to frame the shot exactly as I wanted, making the most of the trees on either side of the bell tower.
I guess one of the things I really like about the shot of the bell tower and the sky is that it is completely asymmetrical - and yet it works well, precisely because of that. Do you agree?
This shot (above) was taken in the church car park. It has a slightly quirky quality because I guess it makes you look twice. Only when you look closely do you realise what I’ve shot. It’s the external chrome headlamp of a vintage car – and the sky is reflected in its convex surface.
I had to work like Mister Bendy to achieve this shot without getting my own reflection in the chrome, but I didn’t succeed entirely. You can see an elongated reflection – like one of those novelty fairground mirrors - on the right hand side of the frame.
I have to say the church itself is beautiful, with great stained glass windows and a timber cathedral-style ceiling with amazing beams and struts.
Later, when I had finished taking photographs, I walked around the side of the church and found a beautiful war memorial. The shadows had gone and the autumn sun had long since set, but of course I had to get out my camera for one last sky shot.
For other participants in Dot’s concept, go to Sky Watch Friday.
Wonderful photographs as always david.
ReplyDeleteAND I WAS FIRST!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThere's something about that sort of sky that just captivates me. The striated pattern of the clouds draws the eye and holds it. Incredible too, the juxtaposition of the church against that sky. Lovely, David.
ReplyDeleteNo doubt here, these are perfect photos specially the first and last one.
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing how you can really play with contrasts on your photos.
And I can fully understand the bride and the groom had a great time seeing the non-oficial wedding photos!
Doesn't get better than that, David! These are incredible.
ReplyDeleteLove your shots, David:D
ReplyDeletePetunia
I love that reflection shot.. oh and the last one.. and the first. Dang, they're all so wonderful. You've a true artist's eye.
ReplyDeleteGreat shots David... I like the use of the lamp... a great reflective shot.. I will be keeping my eyes open to try that out now. ;O)
ReplyDeleteThose clouds are far more exciting than brides and grooms. Love the first with its assymetry and the second as you say at first fools the eye until you look closer.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite is the second shot David! Wonderful reflection.
ReplyDeleteI like all three, but sincerely wish I was the one that took that last one!
ReplyDeleteVery beautiful images, well done.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful shots
ReplyDeleteYou always have wonderful shots!
ReplyDeleteHi David, great pics as usual. I really like the middle one
ReplyDeleteswAnother great SW post from David.
ReplyDeletesuper work my friend.
My Sky watch from Belvoir Castle Grounds are now up.
A beautiful day for a wedding.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos.
You`re an expert! :)
All the best to the married couple.
Ida
Gorgeous, amazing shots, David! Really lovely.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful for the bride and groom, you took an additional 200 some photos.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos. And lucky bride and groom to have you there taking extra pictures.
ReplyDeleteA Lesson of Photography.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful.
i always like the sky when it looks that way. i could just stare at it forever.
ReplyDeletegerald the majestic goat
Wonderful shot's like always. Love them all, but what a clean car:) I wish you had been in our church when I got married;) You are a wonderful photographer!
ReplyDeleteDavid, I love the shot of the bell tower. The limited light gives to a dark feel, but the trees and the clouds lighten everything up.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping my my blog too.
-P
I like asymmetry.
ReplyDeleteNice skies.
Nina at Nature Remains
Hi David,
ReplyDeleteI really like the shot of the church. Are those palms trees framing either side of it? My monitor isn't picking it up. Great shot!
I recognized the car head lamp right away. Possibly because I was just photographing antique cars and caught a couple of reflections myself.
ReplyDeleteLovely photos as always.
I'm so glad you always have your camera handy. Beautiful shots!
ReplyDeleteI love these photos. Beautiful blue in the first one, the reflection photo is great, and the third one has such great color in the sky background. Very nice post.
ReplyDeletebeautiful shots...
ReplyDeleteWill you visit mine Thanks
love your shots..
ReplyDeleteMine in here Thanks
Fabulous
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos. My favorite is the one of the church steeple. Have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteThese are all amazing David; but I LOVE the first one of the church silhouetted against the sky - beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThese are beautiful shots.
ReplyDeleteI was trying to make out what number two was..........until you said it was the car.......I was really puzzled. The bird on the top of the spire was amazing & of course the lovely Church heading off the trio.
great shots all of them. excellent shapes and contrast the last one is my best
ReplyDeleteThree terrific captures, especally no 2 which is a highly superior version of on of my enteries today, which I find quite amusing.
ReplyDeleteBeautful sky-photos today.The second one is awesome!
ReplyDeleteFantastic entry for SWF! Happy weekend! Hope to see you in my corner too..
ReplyDeleteI really like the composition in the first photograph and I also like the silhouette effect of the trees and church against the blue sky and clouds, with just a slight gleam from what appears to be a window!
ReplyDeleteI like the second because of the unique composition and how it makes you think. It is another that is not easily forgotten.
An excellent sky watch post!
marvelous
ReplyDeleteWonderful collection. the frist is mesmerising.
ReplyDeleteGreat reflection photo. I like finding objects reflected, have one of a bridge over water, calm waters this is not troubled :)
ReplyDeleteThe picture of the sky on the body of the car is really amazingly creative . Really loved that one :)
ReplyDeleteI liked the self portrait on the headlamp. Yeah, that Dave... he's a bright guy!
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures and the last one is the best.
ReplyDeleteThese are wonderful shots - full of ideas for me! I agree about the first one - if it was symmetrical it would be too uniform and would lose that sense of the clouds moving.
ReplyDeleteI am learning to look up sometimes now. ;0)
Interesting shot in the headlamp - very clever and the last one - brilliant. My mission at the moment is to catch a bird in flight without blur. So far, about 1000 frames and some ok, but none I'm satisfied with. When I get it, you'll see it.
Thanks for these. They are so inspiring (as is all the photography I see on the blog! Better quality than in any magazine.)
David, these are beautiful! Nice capture of that gorgeous sky!!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your Nobel Peas Prize Post as well! (hee hee)
I'll bet that's one of the "eyes" of that prior posted roadster, ain't it? And a Dietz, to top it off! It obviously ain't American then, at least not in the lighting department...!
ReplyDeleteAnd I sit corrected!!! I didn't think Dietz made lighting in the U.S. anymore! Of course, these just might be relics to begin with, perhaps???
ReplyDeleteWonderful shots!
ReplyDeletetotally niceeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee......
ReplyDeleteits like a sunset sky....
Very lovely skywatch photos.
ReplyDelete