Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON
The shots for today’s post were all taken at a single spot, the historic Sandridge Bridge that joins the north and south banks of the Yarra River. This was initially the site of a timber bridge but by the late 1980s it was derelict and its future was the subject of lively debate.
In 2006, just before Melbourne hosted the Commonwealth Games, it was re-opened as a pedestrian footbridge, cutting diagonally across the river. A series of unique giant figures that move across the bridge and back each day; as well as a set of towering glass panels pay tribute to Melbourne’s multicultural past.
The significance of the figures, and the migrant spirit they evoke, was detailed in my photo essay Action Figures.
Because the bridge is painted in the distinctive hues of gun-metal grey and vivid yellow, I made my way there on a recent morning. My self-imposed challenge was to shoot a quick series of images for this post in a) less than five minutes and b) to do so in just a single crossing of the bridge.
This first shot was taken at the southern end of the bridge, where I was looking for an unusual angle and noticed that someone had wedged a green milk crate between the metal sections. Naturally, I had to take the shot not just because of the unusual object, but also because it gave me an extra colour and a bit more structure in the frame.
I was walking across the bridge at parade ground speed when I noticed the end of this chrome handrail. There was a pedestrian walking towards me, so I had to compose the shot and hit the trigger very quickly, or else he would have walked into the frame.
As for this view, I have absolutely no idea what the original purpose of these circular devices was. Maybe there’s an experienced engineer out there who can explain what they’re for. Certainly, it’s part of the original structure of the bridge, and they are placed at regular intervals, so I guess they served some long-forgotten purpose.Right now, they’re simply an intriguing shape, size – and colour, of course.
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28 comments:
I think I might have liked to have seen the gentleman who was about to spoil your shot...even more color, don't you think?
Sandi
To tie the bridge down in a high wind, perhaps? Lovin' the yellow...especially with the green in the first photo.
Wishing you a wonderfully creative, peaceful and very happy 2009, David. Keeeeeeeeeep blogging! And photographing, too.
Interesting shots, David. Call me half awake, but in none of them did I recognize a bridge. When I saw the first one I thought, "Oh, David's taking pictures of a trash bin." LOL Then of course I started reading and found out otherwise.
As to the round shapes on the bridge, I suspect they are "tie downs" used incase the bridge is a suspension bridge and capable of taking a heavy wire cable through them.
Cheers!
Great post!
I liked the star at your "My world" post.
You've posted pictures of this bridg ebefore. I didn't remember the yellow.
I love yellow!
That must be the "yellowest" post in existence!
Very yellow, isn't it?
Surprisingly good photos though. I wonder what the holes are for? Lets hope you get an answer.
Those rounded yellow forms have a highly practical purpose. They're to attract the most talented photographers on the globe to a gray bridge.
yellow and orange are my favorites
Intriguing shots. I love the bold colors and the simple shapes. Nice!
Interesting post,and a very yellow bridge.
Interesting pictures to illustrate yellow.
Happy New Year David! Looking forward to reading you, great pics MH
Yellow is featuring a lot this round.Funny how a warm colour can warm a cold material like metal.
That handrail shot is a real work of art though that particular shade of yellow is a bit harsh for me.
Well, it can certainly be seen :-)
I can imagine that the letter Y must have been a challenge, one that you have risen to with your considerable aplomb. I too thought on seeing the first picture, that it was a skip, do you call them that in Australia? The things you fill up with building rubble etc. that get carried away on a Skip lorry.
Love the yellow...and your blog. Found you thru Smitten Image, and as an longtime and amateur photog ready to start sharing my images on Blogger, I'm enjoying your work immensely!
babs
http://lesstraveledby.blogspot.com
Ah yellow... I don't think we have any yellow bridges here, might have an orange one somewhere but I can't really remember where I saw that one!
Good post.
I love the close composition and the bright colors! Perhaps the holes were used to attach cables from the crane that lifted the beams into place.
very unique! when I first gazed upon the shot - I was thinking - who's door is this?
nice takes of the various parts of the sturcture!
Hi David! I guess I will give you my two cents worth. I think the "rings" were used to hook the cable to from a crane when they assembled the bridge. I noticed a weld joint there.
Jo
So wonderfully painted. This would brighten up anybody's day.
so that was a bridge! what a cool YELLOW bridge. lol!
mine is here. hope you can visit too!
happy wednesday!
Yellow over the Yarra - brilliant! (Well, yellow is a fairly brilliant colour!) My particular favourite is the second shot with the handrail.
Thank you, on behalf of the ABC Team, for your continued and valued participation.
A lovely post of bright yellows today, David! Can only guess that the reason for those rings is that they're welded lift pads meant for attachment to overhead crane cables when moving the beams into place.
Due to interrupted internet service the last few weeks, haven't had the chance before now to wish you and yours all the very best for this new year!
Thanks as always for sharing your great gift of writing and photography with all your fellow bloggers out here.
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