Look Sharp

Family Gathering Comes To A Point

Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON

I thought I would choose a photograph that is, in many ways, representative of a cohesive family unit, rather than an actual image of family members. I shot this series of images about five or six months ago and while it might look as if they were shot with a macro lens, I was simply using a Sigma 18-125 lens that is my all-purpose favourite.

As someone who sketches and paints, I always have oils and watercolours and sketch pads handy in my study. I also have a couple of sets of these Derwent pencils which are nominally my property, although the Authorbloglets have been known to use them for projects and assorted purposes.

These shots were taken on a day when the clouds were scudding across the sky in a strong breeze - conditions that made it an interesting exercise. For a few brief moments, there would be full sunlight and I’d get a bit of "glisten" on the surface of the pencils. Then the breeze would move a set of clouds past the face of the sun and I’d get a period of great diffused light.

These Derwents are like every family I know. They all fit into the same place of residence, each is expended at a different pace, each has qualities different from the others, and each has its own rightful place in the array.

And like real-life families, they are all alike in broad definition, yet delightfully distinct as well. If you look carefully at the first shot, you'll also notice they each have different names and different identities.

Visit TNChick, creator of Photo Hunt. Today's theme: "Family".