Sunday, March 01, 2009

One-Horse Race

Yes, I Had To Jockey For Position

Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON


These shots were taken late at night in Singapore in December 2007, when I spent a day and a half in transit on my way to northern India. It was a very short, rushed trip and I covered a lot of mileage in the week that I was away from home, I had four flights and two all-day road trips in that time - but I returned with about 2,500 images on my camera.

On this hot humid day in Singapore - a city I have visited many times since I was eleven years old - I had walked for miles and was reluctant to put my camera away. Every step of the way, there was a unique sight for me to photograph.

Then I saw this shop selling handicrafts. I was so struck by the quality of the work (and I instantly recognised that most of the goods on display had been imported from India) that I stepped in and asked the manager if I could quickly shoot some frames on his premises.


He smiled and waved me into the shop and these were among the first half-dozen that I shot. The hand-made horses are a familiar sight in India and the colours summed my attention in a magical, magnetic way.

The light was very challenging, but I reckon the results are often better when we human beings have to ponder the best way through a situation, rather than just doing what we do in an automatic fashion.

I honestly can’t say which horse was the winner, but I have to admit that if I were a betting men (I’m not) my money would have been on the dark blue horse.

Especially in a local derby.

Extra, extra, read all about it: I've been interviewed here. Thank you to all those who have checked out the interview and voted as well.


Check out the rules at Camera Critters or go to Misty Dawn.

37 comments:

i beati said...

xceptional colors Sandy

Adrienne Zwart said...

I am loving all the vivid color!

lv2scpbk said...

Beautiful colors. Love it.

Nessa said...

They're pretty.

Rhea said...

Congrats on being interviewed, David!

I love your Indian horses in Singapore. Such rich colors and festive little equine critters. Really nice photos.

Now I want some little horses like those. Very cool.

I love hearing about your travels.

Susan English Mason said...

I enjoyed the story and the photos as per usual; the thing I liked best about this post is I felt like you were talking to me about life, not only handicraft. Maybe I am reading into it a bit but examining situations and not always doing things automatically sounds like pretty good life advice to me.

Kathy W said...

Good morning David. Those horse ornaments are really pretty. I would bet most of it was sewn by hand. Love the dark blue one.

Maggie May said...

So beautiful those colours.
I think if I was a betting woman (I'm not) I would pick the turquoise one.
I love this post!

T said...

Very rich colors. Beautiful Photos.

Mojo said...

Only 2500? (*wink*) I know that affliction oh-so well. I call it the "they-don't-make-CF-cards-near-big-enough" syndrome. And I'd concur that the best images come from situations where there's a thought process involved -- whether that's tough lighting or whatever.

I'd also back your bet on the blue horse. He's a stunner! And he's almost three dimensional with this depth of field too. Well played!

Teena in Toronto said...

So colourful!

I played too :)

Carla said...

WOW! Love those colors! Great capture:)

Anonymous said...

lovely miniature of horses in beautiful colors!

Carolina said...

Ooohh, lovely colourful horses. They will brighten up anyone's day ;-)
(I don't often do this - well never actually, but you have to check out my CC this week, guaranteed to make you smile.)

imbeingheldhostage said...

Those are so beautiful. I love the richness of the colors.

Charles Gramlich said...

Wow, I've never been to India, Rushed or not. Great colors. It looks like velvet, eh?

Robynn's Ravings said...

Happy colors!.......LOVELY.

Muthering Heights said...

Beautiful!

Willow said...

Great photos, David! I love the descriptions too--enjoy your writing style.

Snap said...

I love them. Indian arts and crafts are so colorful. I bet the sound was wonderful, too.

Thanks (as usual!!!)

G. Crappy said...

Fantastic!!

Unknown said...

Those are so cute!And so was the story.Love the colors!

Baino said...

Oh David, don't shoot the horses! They're so gorgeous. I love the 'Indian' way with colour and gold embellishment.

Dianne said...

I love the colors of the last shot most of all

Carol Murdock said...

How beautiful! I was thinking what a wonderful "baby mobile" this would make with all the brilliant colors!
Carol

Cath said...

They are beautiful horses. Wonderful needle work.

Photo's not bad either. :-P

Louise said...

I LOVE these! The pictures just make me want to see and touch them. Had I been there, I would not have been able to resist purchasing a couple for my daughters.

Anonymous said...

Nifty idea for this week's Camera Critters ... they're quite colorful and lovely ;--)
Hugs and blessings,

SweetPeaSurry said...

Fantastic images! I love those vibrant colors!

DeniseinVA said...

Great title for this post. Love all the vibrant colors of those horses.

Strawberry Jam Anne said...

Very colourful - all upwardly mobile!

floreta said...

colorful and fun! i was actually wondering whether camera critters can extend to non-living critters :D i guess this answers my question..

Anonymous said...

My money would also go on the blue horse! Fab photos. And loved the story, it inspires me... going to singapure in the end of the month for 48h.

Unknown said...

Your are right.. the craftsmanship is astounding. Very pretty.

Norwood & Debi

Misty DawnS said...

GREAT colors! I wish I could have you give me a crash course to show me what I'm doing wrong lately.

LOVED the interview too - it was great.

Tammie Lee said...

You have a fun take on critters. Very playful and colorful~

Amy the SaltyMomma said...

Great photos. I love the angles and of course the beautiful colors.

Amy ~ The Salty Momma