Friday, August 15, 2008

Curtain Call

My View Of An Island Paradise

Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON


Sometimes, adverse light conditions can be used to good effect. I shot this image last month, on the day we arrived in Langkawi, Malaysia. Our flight from Kuala Lumpur to the island was slightly delayed because of a storm over Langkawi and when we landed there was little more than a drizzle. Nonetheless, as we left the plane for the short walk across the tarmac in the tropical air, there was a veritable army of red-white-and-blue umbrellas for the passengers to use.

After we had checked in to our hotel and road-tested the pool, the pool bar, the a la carte menu and the amazing hillside villas, it was time to start taking some photographs. The chill of Melbourne’s winter long behind us, we began soaking up the heat.

The clouds were still grey, late on that first evening. But the weather gave me the perfect opportunity to frame an unusual shot. We were sitting in a quiet cabana near the restaurants, overlooking the pool, the beach and the great view of the Andaman Sea.

I left the family for a few seconds, confident in their ability to order the long, tall, dewy drinks - while I made the best use of the sky and the soft arcs formed by the transparent drapes of the cabana.

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34 comments:

Unknown said...

Great shot and perfect exposure!
Love the perspective also.

Merisi said...

You put the mountain peaks there, just so, didn't you? ;-)

Jules said...

This is sooo romantic - sigh!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Hope you all enjoyed a lovely holiday.

Baino said...

Damnit again . .my feet itch! Love the curtain or mosquito net or whatever it is.

Petunia said...

I love this shot from Scotty Graham. Hope ut can be "post of the day!

Gemma Wiseman said...

There is a beautiful, soft romance in this pic!

Woman in a Window said...

How relaxing that looks.

Susie said...

the curtain gives it a theatrical flare--I really want it to keep going up**sigh**guess I'll use my imagination! Can you believe I've never seen 'real' mountains? (I don't count the ski hills in WI, USA)
Great PSF!

DD said...

Your family must be used to you walking away from them to take photos!

Sandi McBride said...

What a paradise it is! Such beautiful parts of the world that we will never see...wish we had a "transporter" from Star Trek!
Sandi

travistee said...

Lovely! Do you have have room for one more? Oh wait, make that 5 more!

Kat said...

It looks like heaven!

Mega said...

I want to be there right now.

Lee said...

Beautiful shot, David! I love the way the curtains frame it.

Cheers1

EatPlayLove said...

Ooh, I so live in a land-locked state! How sad! beautiful shot, I can't quite imagine the sea just escaping off to the horizon right out my window.

Pappy said...

Hi David. Showoff. Pappy

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

David: Beautifully framed for a great SWF shot.

Cheffie-Mom said...

Just beautiful. I wish I was there (:

tootie said...

I love this picture! It looks so inviting.

Malaysia sounds like a neat place to visit. Hope you enoyed your time there!

imbeingheldhostage said...

what a wonderfully peaceful photo. I don't think anyone would've been able to drag me from that spot :-)

Raven said...

Oooo... lovely... and as others have said "romantic." Love the effect of the curtain framing things.

Les Becker said...

This a perfect shot, David! I love it - I want to steal it for my desktop, just for the great feelings it inspires...

Anonymous said...

What a spectacular view of paradise.

Cecily R said...

Beautiful shot David! Makes me need to vacation yesterday.

Chele76 said...

wonderful shot, David. In my opinion, this picture is the definition of relaxation.

I long to take a nap there and listen to the ocean waves.

Cath said...

I bet your family don't mind you deserting them for a few seconds to get shots like these. The memories that cameras caress for us are priceless. Good memories enhanced further by photography that needs no explanation.
Pure art.

Saz said...

thats what l call a room with a view! fabulous!

Ryanne said...

The lighting is just perfect in this shot. It truly looksvery much like paradise..

Rose said...

Makes me long for a vacation. Lovely.

Carrie and Troy Keiser said...

As always you photos are wonderful and unique. You inspire me to see things differently and although I don't make it here as often as I would like, I am a fan of your work!

MamaGeek @ Works For Us said...

You've described this SO well I almost didn't need a picture. Talented, you.

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