Tuesday, July 01, 2008

Once In A Blue Moon

Wane, Gretsky


Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON


Sometimes, stark images can work just as effectively as those with vivid colours or arresting shapes. I was up very early on Saturday morning and shortly before the sun came up, I was struck by the position of the moon just above this bare tree.

Should my point of focus be the moon, or should I instead concentrate on the bare branches?

I opted for a composition that highlighted the branches, stripped of their leaves, against a clear, cold blue sky highlighted by the waning moon. The conditions were perfect to use the slender silhouettes of the branches against the chilly sky - and quite frankly I don't think the shot would have been effective if the tree had summery foliage on it.

This is a plane tree. They're very common in Melbourne and they have huge leaves that are shaped like maple leaves, but they don't have the striking burgundy hues of maple in autumn.
By the way, you did notice the birds, didn't you? (They're the two dark shapes just to the right of the frame.)

28 comments:

Betsy Brock said...

Your plane trees are rather plain! :)

Jules~ said...

That is great! I love the crisp white of the moon and the deep blue of the sky. It is almost like a cornflower blue. It is not an every day sky color.
And yes I saw the birds. Is there the head of one to the lower right?

San said...

Wistful. I could wish upon that moon.

Sandi McBride said...

Yep, I was going to say "what do you mean bare? It's got birds does that tree!" But lovely shot none the less...specially with the birds!
Sandi

Maggie May said...

The sky is a lovely colour. That would be a summer sky in England. Wintertime is always grey! Noticed the birds.
We got plain trees too! Maybe they need dressing up!

Charles Gramlich said...

The starkness is definitely arresting.

Diva's Thoughts said...

You have an amazing eye for the perfect shot.

holly said...

lighthouse family do a song called once in a blue moon. it's lovely. and it has been stuck in my head ever since i clicked on this. it's not *that* lovely. i wish they'd take a five minute break or something.

but these SHOTS are lovely. :)

Texas Travelers said...

The photo is great.
The title is really good.

Our black & blue is odd.
Come visit,
Troy and Martha

Pappy said...

A moon on the wane. Nicely done David. How cold are your winters there? Pappy

Cath said...

I noticed one bird. I thought the other was a nest or brush. :0/

That is a beautiful blue. I've been trying to get shots of the moon and so far, too blurry. So I appreciate the skill in that shot, and framing the tree in just makes it a superb view.

Nessa said...

Your plays on words tickle the crapola out of me; D

SandyCarlson said...

The lines of the branches are perfect, like gentle fingers laced in a basket to catch that moon.

Cath said...

My Weekend Wandering post is in. Independence Day

Shionge said...

Very unusual I must say and what a sight indeed.

Tess Kincaid said...

Pretty. I love it.

Sam Fox said...

Divine images, David, what a wonderful blue, and the perfect crescent moon...

Hilary said...

Beautiful shade of blue behind that tree, and a lovely silvery moon.

katherine. said...

I too wanted to comment on that shade of blue.

rhyme unintentional....

Anonymous said...

My eyes caught the birds first and the cornflower blue 2nd and then the really defined moon. Great shots.

Kat said...

Gorgeous!

Anonymous said...

This reminded me of Antietam: The Cornfield, just posted by James Oppenheim, a friend. Both of you have produced a moody piece open to wide interpretation.

http://commart.typepad.com/

Tammy

Tiffany Norris said...

LOVE these! I want to blow them up and hang them in my house!
The blue is an absolutely perfect blue.

Mima said...

The second shot is just wonderful with the moon balanced out by the birds who couldn't have been better placed if you had been in control!

Lavinia said...

Beautiful image, but what's a hockey player got to do with it?

Louise said...

The trees were a good choice. I love trees in winter. Their personalities show so much more.

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