Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Service With A Smile

Welcome To The High Court

Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON


Sometimes you see just the shot you want – and you have to put everything else aside for a minute or two. I had just arrived at Richmond station, where I always change to get a direct train to Flinders Street. The announcement informed commuters that the next train to Flinders would be arriving on platform seven in a minute.

So the rush of passengers went lemming-like down the walkway and turned right for platform seven. I turned left instead, heading alone towards platform one. Why? Because I had spotted these flags, advertising the 2009 Australian Open tennis tournament, fluttering above nearby Punt Road.

There’s something else you need to take into account here. It was one of those scorching Melbourne days, with the mercury edging past the three-figure mark.

Me, I hate the heat, but there I was heading away from an air-conditioned train, just to take these photographs.

The wind was whipping in from the north, a cruelly hot wind that brought the embrace of the desert. And no matter where I stood, the wind blew the flags away from me, on a severe angle. Just my luck, I thought. I shot a few frames anyway.

If you look carefully at the bottom of the first image, you'll see clear proof that the flags were flying away from me - the last seven white letters of the words "Melbourne Park" are back-to-front.

Just as I was about to walk away, thinking I would have to come back the next day, the direction must have changed fractionally, or the intensity must have lessened marginally. For a split second, the flags were almost where I wanted them.

By the way, the Australian Open, the first grand slam of the calendar year, can often be a test of spectators’ sartorial skills. It is played in two different sessions each day and it’s not uncommon for fans to start a session wearing shorts and a T-shirt, but to be digging into their bags for a warm jumper before the last point is won and lost.

Just don’t let your spirits flag.


Visit the creative team behind That's MyWorld Tuesday.

35 comments:

GreenJello said...

Ooh... I just LOVE that second photo.

Celebration of Life said...

Beautiful photos of the flags, David! This weekend when I was out learning my new camera, I thought of how you take pictures from an inner point of view and tried to do the same. My new post has some of my photos. I hope you enjoy them! (I know I will never have the talent you do, though)
Jo

Katney said...

"Sometimes you see just the shot you want – and you have to put everything else aside for a minute or two."

Now really, David, SOMETIMES? More like ALWAYS!!!

Anonymous said...

I love these pictures and love your dedication to getting just the right shot.

Jules~ said...

I was just thinking about tennis. I have only had a quick brush with it. In junior high we had to play it for a few weeks as part of our PE. It was all part of that theory on exposing youth to different types of things.
My hand eye coordination was always lacking and I never picked up a racket after class was finished. I do however have a fondness for ping-pong. ;-)

George said...

I think both photographs are great, but I'm glad the wind cooperated enough that you could get the second.

Carolina said...

Beautiful photos. Like both of them, although I can see why you went for the second one.

Cheffie-Mom said...

WOW, what a perfect photo. Thank you so much for the Post of the Day!! Such a pleasant surprise!!

Glennis said...

Perfect, it was worth leaving the air-con to get that shot.

Louise said...

The shots are worth every bit of heat you had to endure. I promise I would trade you. And you're probably take me up on it if you could because it's not even that cold here.

EG CameraGirl said...

The flags are spectacular. I can see why you'd brave the heat to to photograph them. Hope the temperatures lower where you are and rise where I am. SOON!

Craig Glenn said...

Very nice photo David.

Craig

Janie said...

Persistence and putting up with the heat payed off. You got perfect flag flutter!

Loran said...

Sometimes it's really worth making the extra effort to take the shot. It paid off in some great pictures!

Guy D said...

Fantastic shots of the flags, thanks for sharing.

Cheers!
Regina In Pictures

Susan English Mason said...

If you were taking a flag pole I would choose the second one. As a desert (land of extremes) dweller I cannot understand how you could get 3 flags to cooperate long enough to snap that shot. But you did it, Bravo!

imac said...

Ah, Davids flag day, and you braved the heat too, well worth the suntan my friend.

The Muse said...

"don't let your spirits flag"....ah...what words words of wisdom :)

Susie of Arabia said...

Those flags are fantastic - great colors, great shots!

La Belette Rouge said...

Thanks so much for stopping by my blog. Delighted to meet you. As it turns out I am a here at your blog on the right day. I am huge tennis fan. Love Roger Federer.

Fantastic photos and lovely blog.

Anonymous said...

That first sentence hits me straight. That's me. Except that like Katney, it's more like always in my case too.

Anonymous said...

that's the spirit of a photographer isn't it, going against what you dislike just to capture a beautiful moment....nice!

Carver said...

Those are wonderful shots David. Definitely worth turning left for.

Digital Flower Pictures said...

This is Super!

It looks like you put three photographs together. Way to get the shot.

What is blooming down your way?

Willow said...

Very cool photos of those flags. And I learned a little about Australia and tennis, too.

Rural Writer said...

Fantastic shots. Definitely worth the extra effort.

Ruth said...

There has to be a happy medium between your three digit temps and our zero. Happy summer! I was born in the s. hemisphere and appreciate warm January weather. I enjoyed the writing in your post as much as the picture and found your recent entries most interesting. Thanks for visiting and commenting on my post.
I do love your rhymes!

gogouci said...

Beautiful colors.

Caffienated Cowgirl said...

Great capture. Yes, sometimes the photo op just grabs you. This one was worth it...those colors just pop.

Fliss and Mike Adventures said...

I am truly jealous that you were there... being an Aussie in the US... I am feeling a little homesick of late... great shot...
Thanks for dropping by... been to busy of late to add more...

You can also visit me here
http://flissandmikeadventures.blogspot.com

Indrani said...

Just great!

Sometime back I had put up a post with same title:Service with a Smile. That was for wordless!

http://indisnapshots.blogspot.com/2009/01/service-with-smile.html

Arija said...

Love the last shot, like a ballett performance.

Jinksy said...

Advice to the four winds-

Keep the flags flying
don't let them wilt!
If you run out of puff
you'll be troubled by guilt!

Woman in a Window said...

Opportunity - take it. I have to remember this more often. Nicely lined shot.

Sweatiepy said...

I just love reading your story behind the photo ~ very entertaining! Your photos are stunning, as always.