The Orient Expressed

Working Up An Appetite For Colour

Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON

It’s not often I’m separated from my camera by more than about six feet. Even when it’s not slung around my shoulder or my neck, it’s in a bag within arm’s reach. But I was in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, with my family last July and we decided to explore our temporary abode, the Shangri-La Hotel.

We’d had a whole day outdoors exploring the city and since it was fairly late at night I didn’t think I’d need my camera, so I left it in our room. We walked around the spacious, ornate lobby and I was mentally ticking off shots I could take the next day – and angles that I could use in daylight.

Then we found our way to the Shang Palace restaurant and even before I got to its entrance, the colours just stopped me in my tracks. It was like looking at some ethereal artwork.


I turned around and, over my shoulder, told the rest of the clan that I was going back to the room for my camera. I was back in less than five minutes and I reckon I couldn’t have gone any quicker, even if I’d strapped a pair of rollerblades on.

It was an interesting exercise shooting this series, because the sheen on the walls caused a reflection that could have actually resulted in a crystal-clear close-up looking as if the focus had been botched. So I walked as far back down the corridor as I could, not only to minimise the problem but also to use the wonderful blue-and-black mural as a counterpoint to the other bright colours.


For earlier posts in this series, check out The Doors Archive.