Friday, January 09, 2009

Cloud Controller

Finding A Window Of Opportunity

Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON


Sometimes you "see" a shot where you least expect it. And I guess it is just as important to recognise the opportunity as it is to drop everything, pick up a camera and take the shot.

I took this in our room at the Sheraton in Perth a few days ago, when we were on the west coast of this huge country-continent. My Ray-Bans ("sunnies", as we call them here) were on the table and I was just getting a few things organised before my nephew’s wedding when I noticed the clean reflection in one lens of the sunglasses.

The temperature was closing in on 39 Celsius, which is about 100 Fahrenheit, so it wasn’t surprising that the sky was clear, unsullied blue as far as the eye could see. And given that we were on the 17th floor of the Sheraton, my eye could see a very long way across the beautiful Swan River.

I chose to focus on the gold rim of the Ray-Bans, which I thought would draw attention to the reflection of the sky, graced with only a single cloud. Had I waited, the cloud would have changed shape or disappeared entirely.

I didn’t move the sunglasses to get a better view of the reflection, simply because I believe that the true test of a photographer is the ability to shoot any scene in any light at any angle and at any time. On this occasion, I was lucky, because the colours of the electronic room keycard, the hue of the wooden surface of the desk and the golden shapes of the coins were perfect for what I was trying to achieve.

Just for the record, those are two-dollar coins, the second-smallest in Australian currency. In the photograph below, you can also see a few one-dollar coins on the right of the frame. The two-dollar coins are only fractionally larger in circumference than our little five-cent coins. Maybe this was the "money shot" in more ways than one.


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

47 comments:

Whistle Britches said...

Hey Davey Mac!
Long time no see!

I could use some help over at my blog.

Hilary said...

Shady but superb shot. And nobody can coin a phrase like you. ;)

Cheffie-Mom said...

Absolutely wonderful!

Unknown said...

david...thank you once again for sharing your gift of seeing things that are there, just differently!

~AirmanMom returning to her blog...

Richard Lawry said...

I like to take photos of the unusual. Thanks for your creativity!

An Arkie's Musings

Cherie said...

Love it!

Tessa said...

David, that is sublime! Who would have thought that a pair of sunnies could reflect one's world? Well....apart from you of course! You should send that to Ray-Ban - it would make a great ad. Make 'em pay you plenty of those coins for it!

Suldog said...

Gave you an award over at my place, David. Come and get, if you wish.

Anonymous said...

You do see, David, and I don't. Maybe in time I will be more discerning.

Great shot and love the shades.

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
vincibene said...

Originally idea!

SaraG said...

WOW, great Sky Watch Friday post!!!
Take care

Sylvia K said...

You always come up with a new way to see the skies and I love them! Thank you for this one! Who woulda thunk it??? Thanks for sharing.

bowledover said...

Happy New Year David and thank you for the wonderful picture and message re dimentions.

Photo Cache said...

You find ways to sky watch. Happy weekend.

Ana said...

Cool shot.

Sandra said...

That's one, definitely original approach!

Saz said...

Startlingly fabulous!!

DeniseinVA said...

A very cool photo, and I always enjoy reading your post. Happy New Year.

Gemma Wiseman said...

Absolutely intriguing! The small magic in ordinary places! Beautiful!

Colin Campbell said...

Interesting perspective again David. I saw the Morris Dancing story on television. A bit sad, all those links with the past having their life sucked out of them by alcohol, pubs, xboxes and the like.

Oh well there is always the Highland Fling.

Rune Eide said...

Thank you for the lesson - I need it.

imac said...

Ah, the sunglasses reflections, great work David.
I once entered a comp and someone entered one like this and won.

Anonymous said...

Very nice photo! New way to SWF :o)

Baino said...

Fablious It's all in the eye. I'm snapping madly at the moment but don't have time to upload.You are the master of seeing a shot where others would not,

The Muse said...

this is so much a play on life...is it not?
oh yes, this one grabs me...!

angie {the arthur clan} said...

Way to "think outside the box." This is a fantastic photo for SWF!

Anonymous said...

A unique perspective on sky watch. Nice.

Dewdrop said...

My life is full of that dropping everything to grab the camera... great capture... love the composition with the glasses, but catching the clouds in the reflection is awesome. You are very in tune with details.

Guy D said...

Very unique idea for a skywatch shot, I love it.

Cheers and Happy New Year!
Regina In Pictures

Arija said...

Nice going David. Hope you enjoyed the wedding gregardless of the heat.

Jane Hards Photography said...

I am a sucker for these shots personally. The mundane cane be sublime if we just look for it. Now why am I thinking about Top Gun...

Anonymous said...

I love the way you captured the sky in your glasses. Great shot.

marcia@joyismygoal said...

You are quite the opportunist-- Quite interesting shot and all set up so nicely --You just have that artistic Flair

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Love the composition on this and the fact that it's a reflection of the sky as seen through your "eyes."

Sheila

katherine. said...

hilary's comment is great!

as is the picture...

Grammy said...

What an amazing view through your glasses. LOL
Have a great week
Grammy
Missouri, USA

Maggie May said...

Very effective!

Ivar Østtun said...

Great! Very creative, David. I wish you a beautiful weekend

esnorway said...

good pics and always a good story to pics. have nice weekend

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

David: Very cool shot of the sky from one glass reflection through another glass.

Loran said...

Absolutely fascinating shot and inspiring as well.

And thanks for the comment, no doubt I would love Australia. Haven't made it there yet, but maybe someday.

Tammie Lee said...

Fun shot of the sky.
Noticing the wonderful images in the world around us, like yours is what inspired a lot of photographers.

raf said...

Excellent SW image, David. Valuable lessons today on awareness and timing. Thanks!

Anonymous said...

Brilliant shots. Very well done. :)

Linnea said...

Thanks for stopping by my SWF and for your comments. Your image is very creative and spontaneous. I like your blog too. I'll be back! Greetings from sunny and windy San Ramon.

Carrie and Troy Keiser said...

My problem is that when I see the cool shots, it turns out that my camera is safely stowed in its case at home and not with me..... lovely sky shot!