Friday, June 06, 2008

Winter Colours

From First Light To Last Light, On The Same Day

Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON


Even in winter, with the late sunrise and early sunset, the Australian skies are still a stunning pallete for artists and photographers alike. At the height of summer, there is enough light in the sky at 5.30 in the morning to take a landscape photograph and the sun only sets around 9pm. Things are a bit different now, in our first week of winter. The sun rises at 7.30and sets just after 5pm.

The first photograph in this post was shot while I stood on a platform at Richmond station. Let me put things in perspective here - I don't have to change trains at Richmond, but if there's a great sky, I get off one train, take some quick shots and then get another train.

And here's a confession. About a week ago, I sat in a train, gritting my teeth while the sky produced a wonderful mix of pastels and bright hues. I seriously considered getting off the train at the next station, sprinting down to the end of the platform, taking some quick shots and then getting back into another carriage. I didn't do it, mainly because the train was fairly crowded, but there is a distinct possibility that this could happen in the very near future.


On the day that I took the shots published with this post, I was captivated by the wisps of gold in the clear sky while I waited at Richmond. In case you're wondering, the prominent advertising billboard just left-of-centre is for Pelaco, a clothing business established in 1906. If you look really carefully, you'll even see the small but distinctive silhouette of a hot-air balloon in the bottom right-hand corner.

These early-morning frames were shot in a five-minute span, and you can see the perceptible changes in the light. Later that evening, I had just got off my train when I noticed a sudden burst of colour in the sky.

There was heavy cloud around, but that in itself is often a great boon because the cloud reflects a wide range of colours in the moments immediately after the sun has set.

So there you have it - a wide range of colours and a perfect encapsulation of an Australian winter day - gold and yellow at the start of the morning and azure, pink and purple at the end of it.

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

55 comments:

Joni said...

breathtaking pictures...lends a tranquil atmosphere to the mind...and you didn't have to miss a train!...thanks for sharing!

polona said...

i love the isplay of colour in the sky... however, we've been getting nothing but soggy greys lately...

Unknown said...

Oh my goodness David, those last two shots are gorgeous. Just love them. They would look so nice framed and side by side. Thanks for sharing them.

Unknown said...

Those last two are spectacular! But that seems to be normal for you.

Anonymous said...

I like all the colors but the first two I like the most. Nice photography, David.

Anne said...

At one i saw the first picture I heard the old lady Tina Turner in my head... "You are simpy the best"!! and It says all...

Nice weeknd from Anne.

Anonymous said...

Breathtaking ones!

Texas Travelers said...

You didn't disappoint me today.
Great shots and the colors are fantastic.

Jump off the train?
Anything for the shot.

Too cool!

Great SWF

My sky is wet.
Come visit,
Troy

Michele said...

Gorgeous hues... but I must say the first two photos I really love so much! They are fantastic.
Rocky Mountain Retreat

Daniel J Santos said...

fantastic colors, excellent.

family affairs said...

Gorgeous - I love love love Melbourne and your photos remind me of how much I miss it - I had my first child there and lived near South Yarra for 3 years. Fab

Anonymous said...

These are such gorgeous photos. The colors are so intense! The gold color is breathtaking in those first two shots! As always, your work is exceptional.

Sharon said...

What beautiful pictures! You got some outstanding colors that day!

Trish ~ ♥ ~ said...

What a beautiful day from start to end.

Voz do meu Coração said...

Excellent series of photos with beautiful landscapes and colors, congratulations.

Tom said...

Nearly a rainbow of colours David... another excellent post from an excellent guy..

Cheers Tom

Tiffany Norris said...

Those colors are amazing! I love checking out your daily photos!

Champ Townboy said...

Great shots! The sky always cooperates with you! LOL

Pat - Arkansas said...

It's a pretty good thing that you can't hear my "oooh, oooh, OOOOH!" when I look at your photos. The morning shots are beautiful, beautiful, and the evening shots are just magnificent! Well done!

imac said...

Great post great photos great story, dont go and miss the LAST train David lol.


My lady and her lamp - are now up and running.

Anonymous said...

Yellow and orange sky... so great!

My SWF photo is now posted, too:

Jenn Was Here

Please drop by if you have the time. Thanks!

Louise said...

I'm a sucker for sky photographs. These are fabulous. I haven't seen a gold sky many times in my life.

Sandi McBride said...

I can see you jumping off the train in order to get the perfect shot...surprised only that you didn't actually do it. The photos are both breathtaking (I can see that you're really into colors)and thought provoking. I wonder what causes the colors...not what causes their differences, just what causes them...Sky Watch was successful, train or no train!

Cape Cod Washashore said...

Breathtaking photos, David! Last week I mentioned "National Geographic"; this week I will suggest you publish a book of your photography!

Let's see if you can make a "one-stop-train-hop" for more fabulous sky photos like these!

Lee said...

Love the dark and yellow painting that sky, David! And it just gets better the further down I scroll. Thanks for posting these.

Cheers!

lime said...

i love the winter sunsets. so delicate.

Sam Fox said...

You be careful, leaping on and off your train! Loved those shots, David - and the last one particularly.

Rose said...

I can look at photographs like these all day long and never tire of them...

Jennifer S said...

Stunning, gorgeous photos. The way the trees look like silhouettes in the last two shots? Beautiful. Definitely worthy of wall space.

SandyCarlson said...

Those skies are gorgeous, David. Winter loves your camera.

MamaGeek @ Works For Us said...

Beautiful colors (and I'm guessing no filter was used)!

Max-e said...

Great shots DAvid. I was wondering about the hot air ballon until I read your comment. Those guys must have had a spectacular view.

Charles Gramlich said...

Gorgeous colors. Especially that wide screen sunset. Wow.

katherine. said...

the photos are lovely as always.

I ride a commuter train about four times a month....I get on at the very begininng...and have taken to cleaning the outside of my window just...in...case....there is something I want to take a picture of.

people think I am bizarre

Kat said...

Those are just gorgeous! I love the hot air balloon in the second shot. A special little treat.
The colors are amazing! Quite a range for the same day.

alicesg said...

Nice set of SWF photos. Yes, I saw the hot air balloon. I like that photo, it is lovely.

Anonymous said...

I too spotted the hot air ballon :)

Wonderful colours in your skies, David. Always enjoyable. I am a bit duller this week - - -

Hilary said...

Those last two pics are amazing. It almost makes me miss winter.. kinda.. sorta.. ish. Nah, not really but I'm just glad you're there to photograph yours.

Sandpiper (Lin) said...

Beautiful sky pictures! I love the colors.

Nabeel said...

yes it is truly golden skies. But in the last picture, is it a parachute I see, or perhaps a weather balloon?

Carletta said...

More awesome photos from you!
Gorgeous!

Rose said...

Wow those are incredible!! What beautiful sunsets you have over there.

FO - 2 said...

The skies are a stunning palette -just like you wrote! :)
Your photos are really stunners!
Beautiful compositions.
It is fun to read about your trip with the train. Wanting to get off... To capture the moment!
All those moments. Every day is filled with them.

Louis la Vache said...

Outstanding series for Sky Watch! Very well done!

To fog or not to fog: that is the question.

Maggie May said...

Amazing colours. Looked like you'd used filters, but I know you didn't.

Anonymous said...

excellent post. what a wonderful colors. very atmospheric. you are very lucky to capture also the ballon

Dragonstar said...

David, these are superb. I particularly love the last two, with the trees like dark lace.
Many thanks for the kind mention on "Post of the Day" yesterday.

Rune Eide said...

I wish we had your kind of winter :-) - but I agree: The colours are often much better; somehow different.

Indrani said...

Beautiful Australian sky David da(if I may call you so :))

I liked the pinkish purple sky shots very much.

Sandy Kessler said...

captivating pinks and oranges !!

Debbie said...

Beautiful "color" photos! Amazing as always!

Mima said...

You really do have the most amazing skies, and you capture them so well. I especially love the one with the hot air balloon in it, it must have been an amazing ride for them, would love to do that!

Kim said...

Beautiful colors in all of your pictures. I am never disappointed when I visit your site :)

maryt/theteach said...

David, your winter skies are quite beautiful! And of course expertly photographed! :D

Lana Gramlich said...

Very lovely! I really liked the balloon & the sunset.