Saturday, July 05, 2008

Get To The Point

It's Time For Us All To Be Sharp-Witted


Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON


I was mulling over the best way to represent this week's theme and going through all the various options - scissors, thumb tacks, miniature board pins, Christmas trees. But I just wanted to use something different, something unusual.

Then I remembered this photograph, taken in Singapore in mid-December. It depicts a whitewashed metal fence that probably dates back to the island nation's colonial days. The background is verdant green grass, which is a perfect foil for the hand-crafted spikes, each with its accompanying ornate scroll on either side.

It looks perfectly symmetrical, doesn't it? But look carefully at the spike on the right. Now can you see what's missing? Yup, part of the scroll on the right-hand-side has broken off - or else it just wasn't there when the fence was built, and no one noticed!

39 comments:

Jules~ said...

Isn't it funny the tricks that our minds play on us. As much as I knew this was an ornate fence rail when I looked at the picture, at the same time my mind said....squid.
Thanks for pointing out the missing scroll. I didn't notice it was missing but only felt something amiss.

Jennifer S said...

It almost looks like there was an attempt to repair it?

Still, gorgeous fence and a great photo.

Cath said...

Excellent observation - I knew something was not quite right, but needed to look again after you pointed it out.

Rambling Woods said...

Leave it to a photographer to notice all the little details that we overlook. Wonderful photos....

Gone Back South said...

Oh yeah! I looks like it's winking.

Diva's Thoughts said...

I never even noticed the missing scroll.

Anonymous said...

I didn't notice, I was too busy looking at the POINTS! Happy hunting.

Anonymous said...

Yeah, who would have noticed the difference ;) Lovely photo.

Have a great weekend, David :)

Anonymous said...

Thats one of those things you stare at for days and can't work out what's bugging you about it. Lol!

Betsy Brock said...

Beautiful old fencing...looks like it has many coats of paint on it over the years.

Leslie: said...

I was thinking how great minds think alike - I also did some iron fences (Italian wrought iron ones). Hope you're having a great holiday with the family. :D

Maggie May said...

The brain accepts the missing bit & we don't even notice! I like that kind of photo, framing with a fence.

Anonymous said...

I really like your fence. It's a beauty!

I had awful trouble thinking soemthing up and thank God, I was able to turn my current focus onto this week's theme.

Heaven knows what I'll do about next week's. I'm finding that one a bit tricky too!um..."support"

Hope we don't get pictures of undergarments...

Colin Campbell said...

You have such a good idea.

I am on a religious tack this week.

Anonymous said...

I went back to the picture when you said something's missing. And only then I know what's missing.

Anonymous said...

These are still pretty common in Singapore, with those that built their houses with the British colonial style :)

Anonymous said...

Very interesting picture!

My PH is posted HERE.

Hope you could drop by. Happy weekends!

YTSL said...

My, you sure have a keen eye, David! :)

SnoopyTheGoon said...

Why had the picture make me think about jumping over fences? Or, rather, not jumping...

Cool shot.

Have a great weekend.

dixymiss said...

An eXcellent job achieving your goal (unique piX)!

Anonymous said...

A very effective entry for this week's theme. Lacking that bit of scrollwork makes it an interesting composition.

Anonymous said...

Always interesting to realize how we compensate for things. Good shot and I appreciate your providing some background on it.

Anonymous said...

Great shot! I love the symmetry - almost :)

Carver said...

That is an interesting imperfection that I wouldn't have noticed if you hadn't pointed it out. Great shot for the theme. Happy weekend.

Hilary said...

You've given a visual for the internet surfing term "scroll down." ;)

Hootin Anni said...

I am glad you "pointed" that out about the symmetry. But the photo is still terrific. And your description really had me right there in amongst the beauty.

Mine's shared.

Aisha said...

This is such a cool shot for this week's theme. Nice one, David!

CRIZ LAI said...

This is a cool shot David. Just look at the thickness of the paint and you would have realized that it has been there for centuries :)

http://crizcats.blogspot.com/

Write From Karen said...

Does anyone else see little faces with dunce caps on?

No? Okay, it's just me. *grin*

What a pretty fence.

Write From Karen

Rebecca (Ramblings by Reba) said...

Ahhh... I hadn't noticed that until you pointed it out. (Pun not intended. Truly.)

Randi said...

Very creative!
I love your take on the theme.
Happy Weekend.

 gmirage said...

Yes, i agree it somehow resembles a squid! Pointed fences keeps robbers away, hopefully...but the rust was able to eat a part of it...

Have a happy weekend!

SandyCarlson said...

That's a fence I'd think twice about hopping.

Anonymous said...

Nice take on today's theme! I love fancy fences. I did Photo Hunt today, too! Come see mine and put your link up. :)
http://newyorktraveler.net/photo-hunters-pointed/

Daryl said...

I posted what I call a foto fun that I did .. I am not participating in this MEME but today's foto fun ties right in .. come see ..

:-Daryl

Sarge Charlie said...

very pointed david, I had stuff on my barbie for the 4th.

Lana Gramlich said...

An interesting dichotomy between nature & man-made, order & chaos.

Anonymous said...

That shrimp costume sure had a lot of points,..lol. Great photo of the ornate fence. Have a good weekend.

storyteller said...

Wonderful title for your ‘pointed’ Photo Hunt post this week … and noticing what’s missing is nifty too. Thanks for sharing … and for dropping by mine. I appreciate your comment.
Hugs and blessings,