Friday, August 22, 2008

A Frond In Need Is A Frond Indeed

Cleopatra Would Have Been A Big Fan

Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON


This post is dedicated to a (very) young man in Britain who is possibly my youngest reader. John (for obvious reasons, I won't identify him) asked his mother to contact me when I wrote the post Palm Reader, because he wanted to know if I had shot any other images in that sequence.

Yes, I did, and here they are at John's request, along with the story of why and how I actually shot them. We were on holiday on the Malaysian island of Langkawi at the time, and I was still blogging because I had my laptop with me. The weather was fairly stormy on the morning we flew in and while we explored the beautiful 40-acre property of the resort, I happened to spot this banana tree towering above me.

It took me a few seconds to work out what sort of tree it was, before I spotted the distinctive leaves, which are traditionally used in some parts of rural India as a substitute for plates. I figured it was a banana tree, but I'd never actually seen one where the branches fanned out in such perfect order, rather than growing at random angles.

It made an interesting silhouette against the dark, cloudy sky and I shot just one frame before walking on. The next morning, the weather had cleared, so of course I had to shoot the same scene and this time the bright green of the giant leaves worked beautifully against the clear blue sky. As I hit the trigger on this shot, I thought it looked like a giant Roman fan, of the sort that palace serfs would have held above Cleopatra to protect her from the elements.

But there was clearly a better angle to be had, so I explored the options with the shot below, which was the next one in the sequence. It was only then that I realised the most unusual angle, along with the geometrical precision of the fronds, would be best served if I composed a tighter frame - and you can see the best result here.


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39 comments:

Anonymous said...

My botanist says this is not a banana tree, but is a Traveler's Palm Tree and it is a native of Madagascar.

Anonymous said...

Interestingly, the Traveler's Palm (Ravenala madagascariensis) is not a palm. Nor is it a banana (though it once was included in the banana family). Instead, it's a close relative of the bird-of-paradise flower (Strelitzia reginae) and is placed with it in the family Strelitziaceae. Dinkum. Would I come the raw prawn with you?

Gemma Wiseman said...

Unusual perspectives! Almost like symbols of ideas and illusions! Fascinating!

Neutral Dwelling said...

Whatever type of tree it is, it is very photogenic! I like your first shot.

imac said...

Hi, my friend these are beautiful work David.

Pernille said...

I'm a big fan of this tree too. Have never seen it before, but this is just beautiful! Thank you for sharing this with us:) Wonderful photos!

Woman in a Window said...

I do like that tight shot the best. It's amazing to me how many different shots come from one item.

Hilary said...

I love that last shot. With fronds like this... ;)

A Cuban In London said...

The photos are fantastic, David, as usual. Could I add another use we make of banana leaves in Cuba? Because our work experience takes place in the countryside (or at least used to when I was in school, back in the day) you resort to banana leaves to wipe your bottom when your natural urges catch you red-handed and far away from a toilet. Obviously, we use the greener leaves as they are softer and kinder to the skin, but still, watching your beautiful photos and thinking of some of the uses people put them to around the world brought a smile to my face today.

Greetings from London.

Cath said...

What a beautiful symmetrical shape! Excellent shots - really glad you went back to get it against the blue. The tight shots work really well, but I am glad to see the "big picture" too. I know some one is going to come in from football and go ape... ;0)

Thank you.

kimmy said...

I immediately thought it looked like a fan too. I love the second picture!

Kimmy

Sandi McBride said...

No matter a travelers palm (we have them here, too) or a banana tree, it's still lovely and hopefully tarantula free!!!
Sandi

Anonymous said...

Some nice shots there David, excellent for SWF!

Suldog said...

I come from a family full of punsters. I've lived with some of the best. I'm not too shabby myself. You, however, are the king.

MamaGeek @ Works For Us said...

VERY neat. I find myself wanting to know EVEN more about them. This is frondtastic David.

Izzy, Emmy 'N Alexander said...

Beautiful shot! What an interesting tree!

Anonymous said...

I am sure Cleopatra would like that! =) At first mom thought this was a different kind of banana. It had an interesting look, right?

My PSF is HERE.

Arija said...

Beautiful indeed, I wish I were Cleopatra, I could use a fan in South.Oz in the summertime. Where did you find the fan palms?

Kat said...

Wow. Who knew your readers knew so much about trees that aren't palms? Amazing! Looked like banana leaves to me. :)

Either way, it is gorgeous! I've never seen anything quite like it! Great shots. :)

Betsy Brock said...

I'm sure John will enjoy this very much!

Tom said...

Excellent pictures, writing and a great bit of blogging David... I'm sure John will be so pleased at this..

Charles Gramlich said...

It definitely looks artificial.

tiarastantrums said...

great shot and story - as usual!

Anonymous said...

Oh this is too cool shot i like it. The way you capture of the sky is great..Nice work.

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

David: What a beautiful show that tree makes in the sky. I've never seen anything like it before.

Bear Naked said...

"I thought it looked like a giant Roman fan, of the sort that palace serfs would have held above Cleopatra to protect her from the elements."

Of course---you are so right.
Now after reading your description and looking at your photo, I also imagine the same thing.

Bear((( )))

Jane Hards Photography said...

Ok now these puns are getting out of hand! I mean i am the puntastic but you are palming off now to pun B class.

Seriously veery good of you to respond to an inquiry with these beautiful images. Isn't it just so much nicer to be postive than negative. I'm sure your young reader will be delighted with these.

Deb said...

One of the things I love about blogging is that it can be both entertaining and educational. Here in New England our treEs are so very different so I found this post very interesting. These are exotic looking trees - and I love the incredibly blue sky. No doubt your young frond, John, will very much appreciate these pictures. Enjoy the day.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for doing this post and for remembering about it. I like the second photo best and I've never seen anything like it. Very interesting.

typed in by his own fair hand! - Mum.

PRH said...

Interesting shots, as usual, David!

I've seen banana trees(growing up in Florida), but nothing quite like this.

Carletta said...

That is the most magnificent thing I have ever seen. It is gorgeous. Very well captured against a stunning sky!

SandyCarlson said...

David,
Here's to John for taking the initiative and for recognizing a great teacher when he found you on your blog!

Colin Campbell said...

Unusually to see them so perfectly formed. Lovely, whatever they are.

Pdyrholm said...

well thanks to John :-)
It looks pretty good and a great subject for photos.
I like the really blue sky in the background.

polona said...

i remember the previous shots of this plant and these are equally interesting... i should remember to take several shots at different angles and focal lengths when i come across an interesting subject.

Rose said...

Amazing. I wouldn't know anything about palms - I was just impressed by the unique fanning.

Carrie and Troy Keiser said...

The tree is totally wild! At first I thought it was a fan, then I realized that it was an odd tree. Very pretty though.

i beati said...

at first I thought it was some sort of head dress ha

Kahshe Cottager said...

I can see why you would be so 'frond' of these pictures David! I looked at them and immediately thought of those ornate headdresses that the showgirls and Caribana dancers wear.