Happy To Go With The Flow
Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON
You could be forgiven for thinking that this was shot in Spain, where the red-and-yellow colour scheme would be a great representation of the colours of the national flag. But no, this was taken in Malaysia.
It was our first full day in Langkawi. A brief early-morning storm had just gone through and the sky was starting to clear. I was fairly high up on the hilly 40-acre property that is home to the Sheraton and I’d shot a series of skyline shots, as well as some close-up frames of raindrops glistening on flowers and shrubs.
I guess it’s funny how your perception is heightened when you have a paintbrush, a sketch pencil or a camera in your hands. Every object in your immediate surroundings becomes a potential focus of interest.
With this in mind, I began walking downhill towards the hotel’s swimming pool, which is set against the backdrop of the Andaman Sea. That’s when I spotted this pipeline on the side of one of the villas that dot the property.
My initial instinct was to compose a tight horizontal frame, concentrating on the large lug nuts and segmenting the frame into a yellow-on-top and red-on-the-bottom essay. As I was about to hit the trigger, I noticed the green creeper emerging from the lush soil below.
Immediately, I changed the composition from horizontal to vertical, with the aim of including a solitary leaf. I guess that’s a gentle parable of life, isn’t it? No matter how heavily we rely on technology and man-made objects, we can never ignore the power of Nature.
28 comments:
this is a GREAT SHOT david!
I love how the plant softens it.
David, you have perfectly captured the beauty of an inanimate object and proved that beauty is indeed in the eye of the beholder. Moannie
Good call. It was the inclusion of the plant that made the composition. Another fab photo!
The colours are so brilliant and the contrast startling. It's interesting how with so much natural beauty surrounding you, this item still caught your eye.. and ours.
I didn't even notice the leaf until you pointed it out, AND at first glance thought it was a fire hydrant.
WOW! Thanks for the perspective. I am learning so much through your camera-it makes me want to take up photography-seriously!
The idea that this pipe couldn't exist if nature hadn't first rained down her water is pretty spectacular. The leaf is such a tiny gentle reminder of the subtle magnitude nature possesses.
FABULOUS PSF!
Oh, and more pictures of Malaysia please? The skyline sounds fantastic, as well as a pool with the sea behind it.
Beautiful contrast, it just pops to the eye. So brilliant in its' simplicity.
Talk about Flow... go to San's and then my blogs today!
I have heard from you in awhile, hope all is well with you and yours!
Jo
My husbandw would probably affirm that I would have tried both.
I am always envious of your talent. Lovely shot.
is that a fire hydrant? great shot!
I also have posted my PSF. You can read it HERE.
Happy Friday!
I absolutely love your photo narratives!
"I guess it’s funny how your perception is heightened when you have a paintbrush, a sketch pencil or a camera in your hands. Every object in your immediate surroundings becomes a potential focus of interest." ~ this is SO true! And you said it so poetically. Now if only I were better at capturing not only what I see, but how it makes me feel... that's the kicker! You do such a wonderful job of it.
All it takes is a bit of God's greenery to turn even the mundane into art. That and your camera.
Sandi
I was just thinking the same things about heightened perspective through a lens. Its something that I have really learned through looking at work from you and MG. So thank you, thank you for that!!!
Great PSF, as always!
Very true about the draw of nature. It puts everything we do into perspective and context.
I love how the colors are so Crayola.
Beautiful, painterly photo as ever, David.
I know wht you mean about your perception being heightened when you're carrying a tool of the trade. Or even afterwards.
After I've spent a day in the studio, even if I just watch a movie, every shadow and space is alive.
P.S. I just read Jo's comment. YES! Talk about flow. I will second her invitation. Come over to Jo's place. Come over to my place. Flow or float or paddle or swim.
Love the last part of this...about nature, etc. Really interesting shot. I love tight shots like this and find myself focusing on items others probably wouldn't look at.
yes!!! so true whether a painter, sculptor of photographer, when looking at landscapes, objects, scenes, its a cse of your eye suddenly being aware of...well l dont know how to say it....its like thinking out of the box....your eyes find it for you....or even whne looking at the image, it can be a case of, and l have done this cut a watercolour in two, because it was actually paintings when l returned to it, it HIt me! does this make any sense? to anyone but ME? LOL
in other words great image David as usual...
The colors just attract your attention. Is it a fire hydrant? Everything takes a cue from nature.
We LOVE fire hydrants. That's a really sharp one too. Maybe I should spit on my camera lens to clean it up a bit?
Cheers
David: l am so very excited to receive my very first [well second really but the true first was from my daughter so that doesn't really count] comment. I am very new to this blogging business and feel a bit like a child as he realises he can actually read...but not very quickly; very excited but not too sure of himself. Thankyou. Moannie
Hey David! It's been awhile. I've been away. Missed a ton of your posts.
Love the color in this shot. the green really adds a nice touch. well done.
I do like how the leaf is in the shot, a touch of nature makes this shot and I love how we alway come back to the natural things.
NEVER ignore it! I can't imagine the picture without the plant.
Yes, I love the contrast of the tender leaves against the hard metal. And the colors pop!
Great blog, David.
Love your photos.
:)
You are some kind of a genius David, making up a story from the single leaf.
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