Thursday, April 16, 2009

Bin There, Done That

Painted Figures Guard This Doorway

Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON


While the Authorblog clan kicked up our collective heels in Sydney last week, we took the time to visit Bondi beach with friends. And just to prove that a camera is a perfect accessory to any sartorial tastes, yes, I had my Pentax slung around my neck while we re-acquainted ourselves with the perfect sand and shoreline.

This doorway must have once been a storage area. It is recessed into a concrete wall that is the last manmade structure before your feet kiss the endless sand on the crescent-shaped beach. I was really interested in the expressions on the faces of the two painted sprites that seemed to be tasked with guarding the doorway.

The green object with a red lid is a garbage bin (or a "trash can", depending on which part of the world you live in) . It is one of many in the vicinity, ensuring that no rubbish gets onto the sand or into the water.

Just before I walked away, I shot a second frame to include a second garbage bin (the colour-coded lids dictate what sort of garbage, be it rubbish or recycling objects, goes into each).

If you look closely at the frame below, you'll see evidence that there is a set of steps leading to the main car park. Let me know if you spotted the railing and the person walking up the stairs, or if your eye was drawn to the second bin instead.


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

35 comments:

Mojo said...

Actually I was so engrossed in the artwork and the framing provided by the bars on the door that I'd have missed the trash bins and the youngster on the stairs if you hadn't mentioned them.

And I'd never dream of going to the beach without my trusty Canon! The very thought of it is a concept too alien to contemplate. There are few places on earth that compare with the margin between land and sea for photo opportunities. they're endless. In short, I get what you're saying.

And I love this doorway. It's engaging even though what lies beyond it is probably pretty mundane.

Equally mundane:
The Doors #8: "Truth In Advertising?"And how funny is it that the word verification is "binet"? I guess those are the smaller trash bins that are just out of frame, eh?

Daryl said...

Fantastic graffiti .. I didnt even see the bins let alone the person the stairs so engrossed in the graffiti was I

Anonymous said...

That was a striking picture, David, and I really don't know where I stand on Graffiti. Done well it can be art, but mostly I see just squiggles and tags. I did see the legs going up the steps but only because you told us to look.

ds said...

To be honest, if you had not mentioned the child going up the steps, I probably would have focused on the trash bin--or just that amazing artwork.

Also completely in awe of the "Golden Blanket over the Yarra" How did you capture that light? It is just beautiful.
signed,
Totally Ignorant of the Photographic Process Beyond Point, Click (but love your blog)

Daryl said...

Oh and my The Doors is up at midnite my time ..

Sarah Laurence said...

How much fun! I wonder if it was commissioned or graffiti.

aims said...

I only noticed once you pointed it out.

ArtistUnplugged said...

Thankfully you pointed out many things I would have missed. Love the door and the artwork surrounding it is incredible! Thanks for sharing!

Jazz said...

I love good graffiti! I think it's stunning!

Unlike tags, which I think are just vandalism - a wall painted like this is a thing of beauty.

Maggie May said...

I only spotted the person walking upstairs after you had drawn my attention to it! And yes..... my eye was drawn to the bin with the red lid!
We have special walls designated to graffiti artists in our city, which probably saves all sorts of property from getting sprayed.
Your graffiti made a good post!

imac said...

Good shot David.

Is that the doorway to the underworld???

J9 said...

First, my eye hit the kid on the stairs, but I think it was the color of his sneakers that drew me in.

Sniffles and Smiles said...

The graffiti dominates...then, I noticed the bins...and then, the rail and person...Incredibly interesting art that you caught with your camera! Good going! And of course, you spotted the bins...You have such a talent for fabulous composition!

Margaret's Ramblings said...

I was also drawn by the artwork and completely missed the human legs. I am getting better at taking my camera everywhere I go as if I don't you can bet your bottom dollar I have one of those moments when I say, "if only I had....", LOL.

Margaret

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Nessa said...

Graffitti can be so pretty. I see'd them all.

Count Sneaky said...

I first looked around the picture as my eyes followed the path of the picture. I saw the child's leg and the stairway, which prompted me to think, "This is beautiful wall graffiti, but what is that jarring thing in the left side of the picture. It has no connection visually or creatively with the beautiful graffiti and I felt that it was out of context and had no place in what was a lovely piece. Count Sneaky I

Cuckoo said...

I agree with Mojo. I would have missed the bins & stairs. Not missed but they weren't in limelight. :-)

And the graffiti is so engrossing, nothing else I could see.

Great shots !

Maude Lynn said...

I spotted the pair of legs first!

Jinksy said...

You pre-programmed our minds to look a the bin! What hope did we have of spotting the legs?!

Anonymous said...
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Ace Versey said...

Love your pics and your blog. Yes I spotted both.

Cath said...

The railing and then the legs but only because my eye was following the ridge of the writing or artwork.

Really good artwork there and nicely captured. Bondi beach sounds a dream. :)

Kelly H-Y said...

Very cool! My eyes went to the stairway and the youngster walking up them!

Mary Elizabeth said...

Excellent eye for details! Great shot! you caught everything around.
This graffitti is well done.
Thanks for sharing.
Mary ElizabethBlog.

Natalie said...

I saw the bin, then the stairs.Interesting.......

Elizabeth Bradley said...

I saw the stair, and the legs, then realized that there was a second bin with a yellow cover. Great shot.

Eddie Bluelights said...

Very clever graffiti. We have a few noteable ones here.

Anonymous said...

I was immediately drawn to the figure with the butterfly eyes! Just nothing like the beach to bring out the funky! :)

Susan English Mason said...

I know I'd not go to the beach without my Canon even though I'd be afraid of getting sand in it. My old Pentax is much better for that kind of thing; almost like armor.

To answer: The legs jumped out me on the stairs.

bernthis said...

Hi. Thanks for stopping by my blog. It is a pleasure to meet you and I would love to some Aussie Bar-B-Que!

I've seen drawings like that here in L.A and in NY. Amazing

Daryl said...

Here's The Doors I shot when Annie and I took our walk


http://onthem104.blogspot.com/2009/04/thursday-in-hoodthe-doors_16.html

KathyB. said...

Love your door shots! I am still taking pictures of doors, need to post more. Doors really do reflect a lot of the people behind them, or around them, don't they?

Neva said...

wow...that is some kind of graffiti isn't it? Saw the legs on the way up. Sorry I have not been around. Computer issues have prevented me from blogging AND visiting! Hope all is well with you.

Tiffany Norris said...

I noticed the person first. I think it's because of the motion of her(his?) legs.
Isn't it interesting how "graffiti" can be so beautiful and such a great part of the landscape?
Thanks for sharing the photos and thoughts!