Friday, February 27, 2009

O Captain, My Captain

Boeing, Boeing, Gone

Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON


This shot of a Qantas Boeing 737-800 was taken at the 2007 Australian International Air Show. Its unusual livery is the result of a Qantas corporate decision to feature Aboriginal artwork on selected jets in its fleet. The first was a Boeing 747 and this experiment proved so successful that a second jumbo was also painted in Aboriginal art.

The third jet was this 737, literally a flying piece of artwork called Yananyi Dreaming. It wasn't cordoned off at the show, so I was able to get some side-on shots as well as some from underneath the wings. This frame was just a one-off, taken as I walked past the nose of the aircraft.

To tell the truth, I didn't think much of the shot at the time. But I later realised that not many people get this upward-looking view straight up towards the cockpit from in front of the undercarriage - except pilots, airport staff, maintenance crews and baggage handlers.

And like they say, to fully appreciate any painting, you have to study it from every angle. That's exactly what I was doing.

(Extra, extra, read all about it: I've been interviewed here. Thank you to all those who followed this link, commented and voted.)

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

49 comments:

Louise said...

The reason I love this shot is exactly that people don't get a view like this. I don't think I ever have of an aircraft that size. Love the artwork, too.

Jinksy said...

Who ever thought looking up a nose photo could turn out so well?!

Gledwood said...

Hi I saw you listed on Google's "blogs of note"... thought the name looked familiar! I don't know if you remember me, but I most certainly remember you... and know many of your friends... Hammer, Lime... etc

Sandi McBride said...

I think I would feel safe flying in that behemoth with the magic painting on her nose...and go flyabout...
Sandi

Pat - Arkansas said...

Love the "Boeing, Boeing!" Super photo (as usual.)

ArtistUnplugged said...

Fantastic shot! The artwork is a great idea.

Tiffany Norris said...

That's really interesting (the photo and the story behind it). I like the idea of a corporation encouraging something cultural.

scarlethue said...

Love the composition of that shot-- it's not just a picture of an airplane. It makes you focus on the art of the plane, the shape and form of its rounded nose and the way the design enhances that roundness. I'd hang that on my wall :)

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Mojo said...

I had to read the narrative before I could decide for sure if that was painted on or just a reflection. I knew I liked it either way though.

I hope the radome wasn't powered up when you were taking that shot!

Janet said...

That is a VERY cool shot. What a pretty airplane in general, too!

Charles Gramlich said...

From that angle it looks remarkably like a nose.

Unknown said...

oh captain, my captain always reminds me of dead poets society! :)

cheshire wife said...

I never thought that a blue nose could look so good.

Anonymous said...

Actually I like it. I felt like I wanted to tip my head to see more. I also enjoyed the artwork on it.

Robynn's Ravings said...

Love the feeling, perspective, and COLOR! You know me, all about the color. There is a carnival in my head, apparently.

Drop in and visit sometime. I've only been blogging 86 days and am approaching 100 followers. SOMEthing good is going on over there! Cheers!

archita dasgupta said...

That's a fantastic shot, Dave - it actualy reminds of looking up at the 'face' of person :-)
Fantastic!
archita

Nessa said...

Boing, boing. That's what I always think when I see Boeing and planes are not meant to bounce.

Great shot.

Josh said...

i like the artwork

Maggie May said...

Very unusual shot! Up the nose of a high flyer!

Sylvia K said...

Great shot! and I agree with jinksy -- who would of thought looking up a nose photo could turn out so well. Great colors! Thanks, Happy SWF!

A Scattering said...

What a perspective! Great shot.

Anonymous said...

What a great shot! I even like that you can see the reflection of the sky on the plane.

Juliana said...

oh...this is SO cool.

My SWF entry this week : in HERE. I hope you have time to visit. Thanks

Rune Eide said...

BINGO!!!!!!!!

(And deeply envious)

Rob Ripma said...

Wow quite an interesting paint job!

Anne said...

I have written it to you before, and now i do it again; you are the master of the universe!!
Love you and your pictures :-))

Hugs from Anne in Norway

Brad Myers said...

That is a cool looking paint job, good capture.

Anonymous said...

Great shot ! ! !
I love the reflection.
Gr.
P-TER

vincibene said...

I like it! Beautiful!

Guy D said...

Wow what a unique paintjob, I'd love to see the rest of it. Thanks for sharing David.

Have a great weekend!
Guy
Regina In Pictures

Anonymous said...

Very neat photo for SkyWatch Friday. I am always interested in what others are doing and this is really nice. Have a nice weekend.

My Skywatch Post

FO - 2 said...

Cool! :)
Great angle!

Colin Campbell said...

I used to love to walk up to the 747 when you used to board up the stairs at the old airport at KL. Much better than the skyway bridges. Lovely shot.

I love the Aussie designs on the Qantas planes.

VALKYRIEN said...

That is creativ thinking! Love the shot - and title!

Working Mum said...

That is a fantastic shot. You are right that we don't get this view of a plane normally. It looks like it's looking back at us!

imac said...

Looks like you were in the right spot there David.
Great shot and love the colour.

bowledover said...

Great picture and imaginative perspective.
Great art work.

Anonymous said...

very cool - had to read to figure out exactly what I was looking at. Great perspective!! Congrats on your interview too - you truly deserve to be featured.

Robynn's Ravings said...

DAVID!! Thank you so very much for your kind comments and for dropping by. Very much appreciated!

Gone Back South said...

That's beautiful. Such colours!

Light and Voices said...

Looking at your photo was an AHA moment. Shapes, color, different angle for shot equals excellence.
Joyce

Linnea said...

Very special shot...what a view and what a beautifullly decorated plane. I'd love to see the rest of it. How fun going to an air show. I love planes!

angela said...

What luck to have a view like this..it's fabulous.
I'd like to see the art work on the rest of the plane too..

Dot O said...

Great photo and certainly something I've never seen before. Thanks for sharing and happy SWF!

Unknown said...

love it!Love it!Love it!

Luiz Santilli Jr said...

David
Great imagination!
Image of sky in the beak of sky flying machine!Fantastic!

Luiz

Cath said...

I thought this was a reflection of a building or something - shadows - across the nose of the plane and you managed to capture it. But it is painted! What a wonderful opportunity to be so close to the plane.

HMS said...

i started up looking at the picture and went "737 - hum?" The windshield wipers then hit me and gave me a sense of orientation.

Very unique perspective & creative shot!