Friday, November 07, 2008

Cloud Seeding

The Top Seed Might Lose To The Second Seed

Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON


There's always a way to capture a skyscape, even if you're looking in the opposite direction. We were in Malaysia and had just finished breakfast at the Sheraton Langkawi in July this year when we walked out into the warm tropical air, where the clouds were just beginning to disappear.

So instead of turning my camera towards the horizon, I turned away 180 degrees and instead took a shot of the horizon, faithfully reflected on the plate-glass windows of the restaurant. Look carefully at the first image (above) and you'll see I've composed it very carefully, to give you some clues.

First, there are two dark vertical lines that actually show where each new pane of glass begins. And the gold horizontal lines are part of the Sheraton insignia.

Now have a look at the photo below and you'll see I've used a slightly different composition - and yes, I've framed the shot so you can actually see me on the right. Yup, I was wearing red-and-white flowered shorts. A bloke's got to cherish the chance to get away from wearing a business suit, a tie and shiny black shoes. Right?


This final shot (below) was taken the next day, in more or less the same place. Have a look at the colour of the sky this time. Blue and beautiful. Bright sunshine. Clearly defined shadows. The islands in the distance seem to be sitting atop a glassy blue sea.

Tropical paradise? Without a doubt. Are we planning our next holiday? More than likely. See y'all in Langkawi ....


For other participants in Dot’s concept, go to Sky Watch HQ.

45 comments:

Charles Gramlich said...

Amazing reflection.

Tiffany Norris said...

Interesting! As always, your photos are inspiring. :)

Deb said...

gorgeous!~ may i ask why you didn't just take the photo the "correct" way?

looks amazing, but i guess i'll just have to keep looking at your photos. i would have to drug my kids (and myself) for that long haul from east coast, usa.

Epijunky said...

Beautiful, David.

Cheffie-Mom said...

Wow, what a beautiful place. The reflections are very interesting.

Leslie: said...

Trust you to always find a different perspective for your photos. Lucky you to have spent time in such a gloriously beautiful location!

Sandi McBride said...

That's probably the best representatives of "reflection photographs" I've ever seen...and now I can tell Mac he's not the only one with luau shorts!
Sandi

® ♫ The Brit ♪ ® said...

Hi David,
Great interesting perspective on the photos! and Malaysia looks like pure paradise! Will have to get there myself one day...
And I also have a few pairs of similar flowered shorts, although here they are more or less my everyday clothes! - threw out the suits and ties years ago ;)

Anonymous said...

Brilliant - as always. I love how you make stories of how you take your pictures. You'd think that one day I'd learn to try new perspectives or angles. Or not. Thanks for the great reads every week too - love stopping by and reading who you've found.

Rune Eide said...

"Mirror. mirror on the wall - who shoots fairest of them all?"

esnorway said...

good reflections have nice weekend

Texas Travelers said...

Great series of photos. You always have the eye for an unusual angle, reflection or composition.

Nicely done.

Troy

Louise said...

I think flowers were quite "in" on men this year.

Beautiful shots. The last is my favorite. It's so colorful it's hard to imagine it's a reflection.

Photo Cache said...

Very interesting title to this post. Tropical paradise it looks like indeed.

EG CameraGirl said...

Very cool. So that's you? ;-)

Pat - Arkansas said...

These photos are a nice reflection on your photographer's eye, David. :)

Maggie May said...

They were unusual shots and it was amazing to see the difference between the three photos.
Amazing place.

imac said...

David's gadding about again eh,,, Great shots David.

Brad Myers said...

Good reflection and nice sky watch. I thought the sky looked backwards, LOL.

Anonymous said...

No.one and only son's favourite place to vacation, I can see why.

Tantalizing glimpse of off duty shorts.

Petunia said...

Nice:)

bowledover said...

Inspiring camera work. Well done and paradise as well.
Thanks for sharing.
I would say have a good week however I see you have already had one.

Sylvia K said...

I always love your photos, they always manage to take my breath away and these are no exception! And, hey, cool shorts!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful shots and an interesting post. Looks like a wonderful place to visit.

Millennium Housewife said...

Fab David, especially the shorts, I may dedicate an entire blog to Men in Shorts... Ah the possibilities! MH

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

David: Nicely done, that turned out beautifully and another trick to remember.

The Blonde Duck said...

Really neat post! There's always more than one way to look at things...

Devoted said...

Fantastic work! Thanks for dropping by my blog...think I'll keep checking yours...very intersting, indeed. :-D

Cape Cod Washashore said...

Stunning take on capturing the sky! Beautifully done!

(New blog for me, but I'm still Beachy.) =)

Gaelyn said...

What a great idea for a beautiful sky.
Like the flowered shorts.

Anonymous said...

Wow i miss like that view in my home town...TC

Kahshe Cottager said...

I was so busy admiring the photo that I didn't realize it was a reflection until I read the post!

Laura ~Peach~ said...

beautiful photos looks like paradise to me :)
Happy SWF!

Anonymous said...

Wowie! I'm so impressed. I really like these shots. Fun catch of the casual you in the photos too!! :0)

Lakshmi said...

everytime i visit your blog, I learn something new ..thanks for sharing

Anonymous said...

Great reflection of an amazing place!

Mine's, HERE.Happy SWF!

indicaspecies said...

Interesting series of shots David!

Mine for this week's SWF are here:
http://indicainq8.wordpress.com

Arija said...

Nice post David. Pretty colours too.

Kim said...

I love the different perspective you took, reflections are always fun.
Thanks for stopping by my blog and for your nice comments :)

Cindy said...

That is just too neat! I'm glad you offered the explanation-

I got a couple of reflection shots yesterday on Silver Lake. The water was like glass and the cottages were perfectly reflected in it. Made me look not only twice but a dozen times.
My Skywatch Friday is Here

Tootie said...

Interesting photos and info. I also liked the sarongs. :-)

Anonymous said...

Nicely done. :)

Catherine said...

Do you mean every where you look in Malaysia you get such a sumptious sight!

Understand why you'll get back. And why you take off your suit! Definitively unusual here.

Suzanne said...

Great photos and I love the reflection and colours.
Happy Sky Watching.

Anonymous said...

thanx for visiting our country...
next visit, i would like to suggest u to try laksa (traditional food), visit gamat (sea cucmber) factory an dun forget to spend ur time in pulau payar (near to langkawi)...

have fun n enjoy ur trip ya!!

http://c-chantique.blogspot.com/