Monday, July 07, 2008

Tunnel Vision

Seeing Things In A Different Light

Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON


Princes Bridge in Melbourne is just one of many graceful bridges across the Yarra River. This first shot (above) takes in only one of the spans of the beautiful bridge, but I'd like you to pay close attention to the underpass. There is actually a walking path and a cycle path under the bridge, beside the flowing water.

Now look at the second shot (below) and you'll get a clear view of the underpass. The stone walls on either side are built from bluestone, which is very common in buildings and construction work from the early Victorian era. Not really the sort of thing you'd photograph from a distance, but I had my 300mm lens on for this shot.


The reason I took the first two shots is to show you an amazing contrast. Most Melburnians are accustomed to seeing the underpass in terms of the dark-grey stone. I guess it has a gritty, old-world look to it. There is a certain Dickensian earthiness to it - and you would almost expect to see Bill Sykes in the vicinity.

But would you like to see a total - and dramatic - transformation rendered by very rare natural light?

Just have a look at the shot below and you'll see the same scene endowed with a special quality. This was one of the first frames I shot with my new lens, about three months ago. I was absolutely dazzled by the rising sun and then realised that the glow across the river had brushed the underpass with a glow I'd never seen before.

Check out RuneE's "Building Bridges" theme at Visual Norway.

26 comments:

9na said...

Nice pics! I may try different lenses as well!

Gerald (Ackworth born) said...

That is quite an amazing transformation with the glow of the sun. Thanks for the first overview showing the context.

Anonymous said...

What a difference a day makes!:) It's almost unbelievable that such a remarkable transformation could happen, and so fortunate that you noticed too.

United Studies said...

That is really interesting! Very nice, indeed.

Rune Eide said...

That was a good example indeed of the importance of light in photography. It is fun to watch the same construction change with light, weather, season, time of day etc etc.

Anne said...

Great photos for the bridges post..., and yes !! I do see what you see when you tell it to mee :-)

The last picture made me wish to live under a bridge..., like the ounderground people, ... but in our country people under bridges always drinks a lot..., and i am so afaid of trouble with my head the day after...

Maggie May said...

Amazing difference!

Maddy said...

Just as well some people have their eyes open!
Cheers

Cath said...

Absolutely AWESOME!!!

What a transformation. Great shot.

please sir said...

Great photos - thanks for visiting my blog and your comment!

Louise said...

I'm sure without your descriptions, I would have never know it was the same picture. Very nice.

dixymiss said...

Great series of shots ~ amazing how different each one. Love the warm glow in that third piX.

Liv said...

Wonderful photos!

I really love the last one, warm colors.

Jules~ said...

That is stunning. The color is so rich that I would have expected to find a layer of gold somewhere close by to have radiated that glow.

kimmy said...

Beautiful photos David!

Kimmy

Connie said...

Wow, that was wonderful! :D

PRH said...

Changes in lenses can do amazing things to the view one gets.

Marie said...

Great post :)

polona said...

incredible light in the last photo!

Rosebud Collection said...

Great pictures.."Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder"..

Daniel J Santos said...

great photos, well done.

K.C. said...

Most people really don't take the time to notice the difference, huh? Or, to make the difference..

Very, very nice! Kayce

Lavinia said...

Wow, that is a truly remarkable difference.....the sun at the right angle burnishes with a golden brush...

Lew said...

The early morning sun gives scenes a special glow and light in space not usually seen. That is a great use of light! I really like your low sun angle shots.

Hilary said...

That's amazing. At first glance, I thought that last photo was of curved neon lights.

Paulie said...

Wonderful capture! Many photos you have to be in the right place at the right TIME! You did it!