Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON
While I was at the 2009 Australian International Air Show on Friday evening, I was on my way to check out the historic warbirds when I saw this sight. The Royal Australian Air Force flag was flying proudly in a brisk breeze - and it was as if a switch immediately flipped in my brain (okay, so it doesn’t happen often!) prompting me to take the shot for Camera Critters.
It had been a hot afternoon with a warm breeze, but weather conditions can change very rapidly here in Melbourne. The breeze had just turned 180 degrees and was whipping in from the south. The temperature had dropped at least 10 degrees or more in a few minutes.
As the flag fluttered, I realised that the cloud cover had increased significantly and the setting sun was providing a golden haze in the west. Problem was, the sun was behind me and the flag was in front of me.
A bit of quick manoeuvring - never the easiest thing to do when you’re moving against a huge crowd - meant that I was able to line up the flag with the sunset. I had to pause patiently several seconds for this shot, because I was waiting for the flag to fly in a particular direction.
The first shot I took wasn’t quite what I had envisaged, but the second frame (the one I’ve published here - was about as close as I was ever going to get. The diffused sunlight through the clouds has actually rendered the fabric of the flag translucent in this shot, which is very apt .
I’ve always wanted to shoot an image of a kangaroo against the setting sun.
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28 comments:
What an awesome shot!
I played too :)
Love the roundel;
great shot, David.
I think a lot of us who have been doing these photo memes have now developed that switch in our heads. "Hey look - something red!" :D
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A great entry for Camera Critters David and that photograph is truly spectacular.
I love the way the sunlight and clouds shine through the flag.
A high-flying kangaroo indeed. Nice shot!
Hey, this is a cool shot, but what about some aircraft shots? :)I visited one here few weeks back, it was too exciting.
Mine are 'Chinkaras' for critters.
very nice
good back story also
Perfectly beautiful. And clever captioning.
A rare shot, and a perfect one from every angle.
Hats off..!!
The flag and the sky ... too delightful!
I love the way that the sunset is shining through the kangaroo.
I don't expect many people could say that they had shot a kangaroo with the sun shining through it! Might be misinterpreted!
Well, your dedication paid off. This is a really nice photo!
The shot was worth the manoeuvring you had to do. I love it!
Great lesson for everything in life: a good task takes manuvering, moving bodies and being aware of the elements before committing to the moment. Stop and frame your life.
it's difficult to capture a waving flag, you timed it perfectly
the light is so lovely
Glad you hopped to it!
Well now you have! (photographed a kangaroo next to a sunset that is.)
Great shot and I am always fascinated at how you manage to find a critter that is not a critter. Always. Except that once.
:)
David, extraordinary shot! Thanks for visiting me! :)
A gorgeous shot, David, just a really great capture! Not easy to do in the wind! Thanks for the interesting info, as always.
Cute and funny photo.Very nice.You finally got the shot you've wanting.Bravo!
Very impressive photo, David, with the sunlight shining through.
David I would have took that shot too! It is just awesome! Thank you for sharing it!
Carol
I am so glad you posted this because I've not seen the Australian Air Force flag before now. It looks very elegant against the glowing setting sun, I think.
Wow. This transluscent flag is full of dreams and beauty.
Such patience you need with animals. Even on a flag! But the result looks great.
Your a fantastic photographer. Great lesson in patience.
When driving through the valley yesterday I saw approx 30 kangaroos against the sunset. They looked majestic. I cursed myself for not having the camera with me!!
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