Friday, July 04, 2008

Seeking Flame And Fortune

What A Great Way To Start The Day

Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON


It's always good to keep an eye on the sky - because you never know when you'll get a dramatic sight. And the thing about photographing a great sky is that you have to be really quick, because the subtleties of light change so swiftly.

Last weekend I was up early and noticed some scattered cloud across the east. The sky was lightening and it was still several minutes from sunrise, so I made myself a cup of tea and savoured it. You can take the boy from Darjeeling but you can't take Darjeeling from the boy - I always drink normal tea, rather than the blended tea flavours that are so popular.

After I put the cup down, I picked up my camera, put on a jacket (this is our winter, remember?) and walked outside. Sure enough, in a few minutes, it was as if someone had daubed the freezing winter sky with a flamethrower.


I always like getting a few silhouettes into a sky shot, because I find they provide great value. Rather than detracting from the overall image, I always find they add something to the shot because they give you some idea of perspective. I used a roof line and trees to frame these shots and in about five minutes, the colours had vanished completely.

The rest of the day was grey and cloudy and gusty - but I was so very privileged to see the way it started out.

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

52 comments:

Betsy Brock said...

Beautiful sunrise! And Darjeeling is probably my favorite!

Kelly said...

WOW! great photos

Lee said...

Gorgeous, David! I'm finding it hard to believe they are sunrises. I'm more used to seeing those colors at sunset. Maybe I should be getting up earlier. :)

Cheers!

MamaGeek @ Works For Us said...

WOW.ZA. I adore how the tree frames the mad sky on that last shot. Spec.tac.u.lar.

Gerald (Ackworth born) said...

fantastic colours - time I think to go and make a pot of Earl Grey!

Anonymous said...

Rich colors, David. Like thick cream on coffee. I like these photos.

Unknown said...

very rich colors! nice!
My Sky Watch Friday posts

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

David: So very nicely done with such a colorful Sky.

Leslie: said...

Another incredibly beautiful post. By the way, I'm late with ABC Wednesday comments - so check for mine on yours.

Lana Gramlich said...

Very lovely. How fortunate we are to live on a planet that offers us such natural wonders to enjoy!

Petunia said...

Lovely shots:) I wonder if the sky was like this every morning...would I get tired of it??I live in a cite that is well known for all the rain. Here in Bergen (Norway) we would die for more sunset like this;)
Petunia's SWF

Rose said...

These are fantastic!

Kimberly Vanderhorst said...

I envy you your skies, I really do. Love the overhanging branches in the last shot. The contrast is lovely.

SandyCarlson said...

I could look at that all day. Thanks for capturing this moment, David. I think it is another one of your great "watercolors"!

Rune Eide said...

Maybe I should start looking forward to winter? I get the best morning shots then anyhow.

Beautiful!

Hilary said...

I can't say that our winter mornings ever looked this vibrant.. how gorgeous!

bobbie said...

You're right about the silhouettes. This is a fantastically dramatic sky. Sunrise is the best time of day!

Unknown said...

Stunning shots, fantastic colors, great silhouettes and perspectives.
Looks like the sky is on fire.
Well done.


David, thanks again for including me on your P.O.T.D. I am honored to be in such good company here.
Have a nice weekend.

Anonymous said...

It is well known that we Portuguese once sailed the seven seas searching for new lands, wealth and adventures.
We were brave in those days and gave the world new worlds!

Luckily I don’t have to sail the big oceans on a small ship to sea the wonders of our world …
No Sir, I just need to check with Mr. Tom, the finest host there is, for a trip around the world with SKY WATCH TOURS and with a click here, a click there I am quickly in the USA, England, Brazil, Italy, China, Australia, Finland … well, everywhere.

And on each stop I come to see a little marvel of our world under a great sky!
Hope you can come and see my piece of the sky at lenses & visions

Mom Knows Everything said...

What an amazing sky!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful sunrise pictures!! Such an amazing sky!

esnorway said...

Beautiful nice have good weekend

Anne said...

There you are my favourite Australian !! Nice picture as usual in your blog, and I can see that you still have the light in your eyes... (same picture of course... silly mee....blond you know...)

Nice weekend wish to you from Norway.

Tom said...

Exquisite David... thats of course you picture not you ha!..... well perhaps a bit then.. :O)

Cath said...

David that is MAGNIFICENT!!

I love sunsets, and I caught one on camera like that not too long ago. I have never seen a sunrise lie that though. What a sky. And, to be fair, not much of the sky I saw looked on fire. It had that effect if I zoomed in. Not all the sky was like that. This shot is awesome.

I am really excited because this week I have joined Sky Watch. I know you are really really busy but I would sooo appreciate you having a look at my post when you can. And everybody else who reads this of course - the more advice and opinion, positive or negative, the better! All adds to the learning curve.
Naturally, I love positive stuff.... ;0)

Rachel said...

Wow, that's absolutely gorgeous.
What amazing shots.

becky aka theRAV said...

WOW!!! so intense. I love these, David! You have done it again.

RiverPoet said...

God was enjoying the autumn colors in His great palette today! Thanks for sharing this gorgeous shot with us.

Peace - D

Lori said...

Wow...I have NEVER seen a sunrise like that! It looks like the sky is on fire, but in a beautiful way. Absolutely brilliant!

Anonymous said...

These are simply glorious each one. I do like the silhouettes and they add so much...
Have a great weekend.

Tess Kincaid said...

These are gorgeous, David. They almost look surreal.

Champ Townboy said...

Beautiful!

Anonymous said...

Stunning shots!

Lilli & Nevada said...

Wonderful shots i love those kind of photos.
I have been trying to get a shot of the sun that has been on fire, but i guess i just don't have the right kind of camera. Shame too cause its on fire.

Charles Gramlich said...

Those oranges are gorgouous. What vibrant colors.

Woman in a Window said...

A priviledge, yes, these times.

EG CameraGirl said...

These shots almost make me want to get up early tomorrow morning...emphasis on the "almost."

Sam Fox said...

Wow wow and wow! First thought: Bush fire!!!! Just gorgeous. And thanks too, for the post of the day award for Hunter Gatherer!

Pat - Arkansas said...

Even *I* might arise early for a sunrise like that! Magnificent sky (have never seen the like); superb photos!

marcia@joyismygoal said...

wow, I would have said that looked like a forest fire--isn't it great that we have skywatch to help us notice all this beauty

Anonymous said...

A magnificent sunrise, and truly a wonderful way to start your day. Beautiful photos!

Pappy said...

Spectacular David. Glad you got up for that Darjeeling. Pappy

Sandi McBride said...

That looks like a firey skyline...hard to believe no flames are involved. It's beautifully scary
Sandi

Anonymous said...

Hot? Plain tea.
Cold? Plain tea, occasionally with a spring of mint.

Photos -- awesome.

Maggie May said...

The photos seem out of this world! Really great! And a cup of Darjeeling....... what could be better!

Unknown said...

Delightful images David. Quite stunning.

Shame the rest of the day wasn't as colourful.

Gary
Bodge's Bulletin

Anonymous said...

another fantastic set for sw. amazing colors

Jo Beaufoix said...

David that is absolutely stunning, and I love how you framed the third shot. Breathtaking. What a fantastic way to start a day.

AnneKa said...

Great post, fantastic colours!!

storyteller said...

Beautiful ... breathtaking photos! Thanks for sharing. I've joined Sky Watch for the first time this week at Small Reflections with a view from my front patio.
Hugs and blessings,

Louise said...

Fantastic all. The elements in the last shot are spectacular!

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.