Saturday, November 22, 2008

Snow Patrol

There's Always Time For A Backward Glance

Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON


Sometimes we are privileged to gaze on paradise, but we don’t always realise it. Mountains have been a part of my life since my high school years, when I was a boarder at St Joseph’s College, Darjeeling – which probably explains why I spend so much time photographing them wherever and whenever I can.

A few weeks ago I was in Canada at the invitation of Yukon Tourism and literally a few hours before I flew home, Charles McLaren of Shadow Lake Expeditions took me on a memorable four-wheel-drive ride.

We explored the Coal Road area outside Whitehorse and when we returned to his vehicle after one stop, I was just about to put my seatbelt on when I spotted this sight. I asked Charles not to start up and not to move his vehicle an inch.

He looked at me quizzically, but I pointed to the rear-view mirror mounted on the left-hand side, where this mountain was reflected clearly in the glass. Yes, I could have got out and probably got a better shot, but by taking this from where I sat, I was able to capture an unusual view.

Around the perimeter of the rear-view mirror you can see the hillside in front of us, while the reflection itself shows the mountain that was directly behind us.

In retrospect, this would have been an even more spectacular shot a fortnight later. You see, the fall colours were just starting. A few days later the hillside would have been covered in reds and yellows, forming a virtual wreath for this mountain reflection.

Then again, the real challenge for any photographer is to capture the moment, not to wait for a better opportunity.


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

53 comments:

The Good Life in Virginia said...

love these shots...very clever how you captured them.
have a great weekend.

rosecreekcottage-carol.blogspot.com said...

Absolutely amazing. I couldn't figure out how you got that shot until I read your description. I'm fascinated by the way you see things!!

Deb said...

What a wonderful shot! I hope you enjoyed your visit to Canada :-) thanks for stopping by my blog today.
Deb
posted-from-home

katherine. said...

I love to see the perspective thru your eyes. makes me think of the verse...looking to the mountains from where I get my strength...

R. Ramesh said...

Carol said it right..absolutely amazing..

mrsnesbitt said...

Loved this one David!

tiarastantrums said...

fabulous shots!

Jo Beaufoix said...

Gorgeous shot David. And you're right, it's all about the moment.

Sally Townsend said...

Terrific angle, I never get tired of looking at the mountains especially when that first fall of snow appears !!

Maggie May said...

Very unusual shots. Delay and it would be missed.

Dancin Fool said...

Hey David! Just breathtaking. Doesn't it make you want to turn round and drive the other way!

larkswing said...

That is neat - in a grassy kinda rocky area with such blue behind you! Wonderfully fun shot!

Daisy said...

Breathtaking. Ah the mountains, the air, the snow! How wonderful to be there, I hope you enjoyed every minute.

Saz said...

for a second l thought it may be sunglasses' reflection, but no wing mirror..that is so cool David...and what a stunning reflection...I love snow covered mountain tops something so pure about them..

Daryl said...

Excellent contrast ...

:-Daryl

cheshire wife said...

You are so observant David and it is a beautiful photograph.

Colin Campbell said...

Very interesting and unusual perspective. The sharpness of the mirror reflection against the background is stunning.

Kat said...

That is an amazing shot. I love how the background is grassy and rocky too. The contrasting colors are awesome. Well done!

becky aka theRAV said...

Great minds thinking alike. I posted something similiar to what you wrote David. I love this photo!

Gemma Wiseman said...

Love the surrounding earthiness in contrast with the magical blues! beautiful shot!

Bee said...

If you had taken that picture in England, the view would have been a smear of gray! That Yukon sky has such textured colour and pattern to it.

What pure air you have been breathing . . .
The word "Darjeeling" sounds fragrant.

Shellie said...

Great shots!

Queen-Size funny bone said...

wow, sometimes it is just as beneficial to look backwards as it is forward.

♥ Boomer ♥ said...

Very neat!

Hilary said...

what a cool shot!

Louise said...

You said it. The view is unusual and unique. I'm not sure it would have been "better" getting out. "Better" is relative. This is spectacular.

angie {the arthur clan} said...

What a beautiful capture of an amazingly beautiful place. Wonderful!

Sandi McBride said...

I can tell you left a part of yourself in the Yukon. I hope that part grows in intensity...lovely shot there...has a Twilight Zone quality to it.
Sandi

Indrani said...

Nice take on the theme, David. I was wondering will the reds and yellows be visible from that distance.

My Days with Daisy said...

Hi,
Like your blog!Great Shots! Thanks for checking out my blog!

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Very nice. I like the contrast of the clouds' softness reflected in the mirror against the rocky, hard-scrabble ground beside the car.

It's also interesting how, in looking backwards in the mirror, the mountains appear soft when you know they are as hard or even harder than the ground below. Likewise, events as seen in hindsight sometimes appear softer than the reality.

Gowri Mohanakrishnan said...

Wonderful! 'Then again, the real challenge for any photographer is to capture the moment, not to wait for a better opportunity.' - too true.
And I'm delighted to find an old boy from Darjeeling in the blogosphere. thank you for visiting me!

Mckay K said...

Excellent shots. Staying in the moment, you were able to capture, forever, what you saw behind you and share it with us. It is sort of like a memory in the mind's eye when we tell of it.

CHIKAI ♥ said...

wow.. i like this technique. i should try this next time. tfs! ;)

My PhotoHunt entries this week are here:

BLOGSILOG
Buzzy Me
Cherry's Comfort Zone
Wishing and Hoping

Have a happy weekend! :)

Anonymous said...

Wow, I'll take a backward glance anyday if it's this beautiful! Nice shots. Happy Hunting ~ My Reflections

Anonymous said...

Nice choice of this week's theme. Mine is up as well. Have a great weekend!

Cheers,
Nita

DJ Kirkby said...

He
I came over here from GreenJello's blog and I am absolutly amazed by your photographs. I would very much like to buy some as working covers for my novels in progress but have no idea if you sell them, what you charge or where you sell them. Ever heard of dreamstime.com?

Anonymous said...

Wow, that was really a clear view of what's behind you.

jams o donnell said...

Wow no those are two superb shots. Have a great weekend

Roan said...

I've never actually scene a view that gorgeous in my rear view mirror. If I ever do, I think I would turn my car around and start driving that way. Great shot! I love the contrast in color from the background in front and the veiw in back. Perfection!

RJ Flamingo said...

I love the composition and contrast in these. Nice!

Stop by if you get the chance!

http://flamingofotos.blogspot.com

Happy weekend!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful shot and a creative take on the theme...and I loved your verbal reflections too!

i beati said...

wow what a glance!!!!!!Sandy

Anonymous said...

Oh that is a clever way of taking a picture nice reflection entries..happy weekend.

Cindy said...

I just picked up another gem of wisdom from you- about capturing the moment and not waiting for a better opportunity. I find myself missing some great shots because I "wait". That mirror shot is a true beauty. The sight was by chance but the capture was genius.
Mine's up. Hope you can stop by and
pause for reflection

Mojo said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Mojo said...

Isn't St. Joseph's College the school where they shot (most of) Main Hoon Na? I know it was a school in Darjeeling, and for some reason that name resonates... Regardless, that area is one of the chief reasons the word "gobsmacked" was invented.

I try not to spend too much time looking in the rearview mirror (philosophically at least)... but I can see how you couldn't resist.

Beautiful scene and a wonderful composition too. It's almost like the picture-in-picture on your television, only without the mindlessness. Or the noise. Very cool effect (literally and metaphorically!)

Carver said...

That's a great take on the reflection theme. I enjoyed the post as well as the interesting photograph.

® ♫ The Brit ♪ ® said...

Wow those are truly beautiful shots David!!!
What a wonderful world we live in!!!

Anonymous said...

Very cool!

Anonymous said...

What a unique perspective! The contrast are very much seen there.

Cecelia---Sis---Mom said...

Very cool photos.

Cece

Cath said...

I am just lurking round blogs at the mo and I was just catching up on yours then I came across this.

Simply had to delurk to tell you how much I love this. It is awesome. Very very clever composition.