Monday, October 06, 2008

Model T Afford

Just A Rusty Old Hood In The Neighbourhood

Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON


You're wondering what on earth this photo of a rusty old vehicle could possibly have to do with flowers. Right? You're wondering if the jetlag has finally got to me. Right? You're shaking your head and thinking I've made a mistake. Right?

But did you look really carefully at the first image? Did you look beyond the rusty shell of the old automobile, beyond the wrecked radiator and beyond the ghostly, bare headlights?


Did you really notice the delicate yellow blooms on the bottom right-hand corner of the first shot? I composed it very deliberately, so that the little yellow splashes of colour would be a simple, delicate motif that might not be noticed by the casual viewer.


But I guess this photo essay is as much about life as it is about the state of this old car that was once someone's pride and joy. I guess it says that we sometimes need to look beyond the obvious to find beauty.

I took these shots at Whitehorse, about an hour after I got off the Air Canada Jazz flight from Vancouver. The sign on the front door says "Yukon Mining Company" and the flowers were probably the last burst of autumn colour.

Visit Luiz Santilli Jr for the home of Today's Flowers.

31 comments:

Hilary said...

What a wonderful contrast of worn and fresh. Each beautiful in its own way.

Anonymous said...

I love it! Thanks for sharing.

Cath said...

The flowers frame the old vehicle beautifully. Funny - I did "weeds" this week too - yellow ones at that. I do the flowers one on Cath's Cradle.

I did notice them in the first shot, but if I'm totally honest, only because the title of the meme is "Today's Flowers" so I knew there had to be flowers somewhere!

Anonymous said...

I love these shots of the flowers around that old beat up vehicle! Fabulous...

aims said...

The old truck and flowers are really beautiful David. I bet looking at that vehicle just warms everyone's heart - and then the flowers can only add to it.

Great shot.

Misty DawnS said...

I am proud to say, my dear friend, that I immediately noticed the yellow flowers in the first shot. HONEST!

I must admit, and you may find me strange, but I think the old vehicle is just as beautiful as the flowers.

My posts on Misty's Musings and Misty's Words only contain flowers... they don't contain an added bonus like you provide here.

Anonymous said...

How ironic! The yellow flowers are so pretty.

My flower is posted here. Please drop by if you have the time. Thanks!

Anonymous said...

Is this the beginning of better days or the end of better days. Either way the flowers are pretty and hardy and determined.

Unknown said...

How pretty! I like the second shot alot but all are wonderful.

DeniseinVA said...

Wonderful photos, beautiful yellow flowers and beautiful vehicle. I also think there is a lot of beauty in these old timers. I have a post at the following address of an old Model T (sorry, don't know how to make a link without putting the whole address on here):

http://anenglishgirlrambles.blogspot.com/2008/10/old-tin-lizzie-back-at-homestead.html

Annie said...

Thanks David..for that..what a stunning flower shot. Good on you.

Annie

carrhop said...

Beautiful stuff! Love the juxtaposition of the wild flowers with the grill of the truck--nice!

Thanks for stopping by my place--and yes, perhaps that boot can be a ski boot when it finishes its current purpose! You would think a couple of nice skis would have come with it for the price! ;o)

Blessings!

dot said...

Your photography is always wonderful! I love the way the little flowers are growing around the old car.

Deb said...

When I see photos such as this, I wonder what story this truck would tell if it could talk?

Anonymous said...

Oh this is just a kind of my photographs.
I put them into "life & death" series. :-)

Thanks for sharing, David.

Cuckoo

Travis Cody said...

The persistent yellow flowers did distract me for a moment from the state of the vehicle. But only for a moment. It's a shame to see a once beautiful machine laid so low.

Anonymous said...

Just gorgeous. Isn't it the 100th Birthday of the old Model T Ford? I thought I read/heard that somewhere. A pretty memorial anyway.

Carletta said...

I love the old worn rusty feel and look of this!
A great capture David!

Connie T. said...

Beautiful flowers hidden away are fun to find.

Merisi said...

Finding Yellow Gold! :-)
Who knows what's growing underneath the car, there may even be a chance to find Yukon Gold there, if you'd start digging. ;-)

Word verification: Defyez
(there be have it, "Defying Expectation" - that's your picture in two words!)

♥ Denise BC ♥ said...

Hi, David

Very, very interesting and creative, just a watchful eye to capture this scene, congratulations. I thank the excellent contribution.

hugs,
Denise & Santilli - Today's Flowers Team

Reader Wil said...

Thanks for showing. Nice combination: the old car and the cheerful fresh flowers.

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

David: I think that is a beautiful display and I love the way the wildflowers have taken over to beautify the old truck.

sandyland said...

Fantastic post of whimsy and loveliness sandy

Tess Kincaid said...

Love it!!!

Jo Beaufoix said...

Gorgeous. I love the first one and the second.

Maria said...

What a nice composition!

Anonymous said...

I saw them immediately! Quite a photo!!

Anonymous said...

pretty flowers in a perfect location.

paz

Luiz Santilli Jr said...

The past and the present together!
Lovely takes!
I like very much old vehicles!
Thanks for posting in TODAY'S FLOWERS!


Luiz & Denise - From TF team.

Carrie and Troy Keiser said...

I'm learning to look,I mean REALLY look at a photo to see what might not be seen and so I saw that yellow splash in the bottom corner! Thanks once again for opening my eyes to another perspective.