Friday, April 24, 2009

Stiff Challenge

I Guess It Must Have Been Dead Reckoning

Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON


We were driving past Paddington Market in Sydney last week when I had to stop at a traffic light. As always, my camera was within easy reach. My attention was first caught by the iron trellis on this wall, about twenty metres to my left.

Not only was the craftsmanship redolent of the colonial era, it also reminded me of my own childhood in India, where this sort of work was extremely common.

I wanted to compose the shot based around the various shades of grey, but I worked the focal plane quickly, to include the lowest portion of a tree branch nearby, just to provide a splash of colour. It was only at this point that I noticed the "No Parking" street sign that said "Wedding or funeral vehicles excepted".

I had to react very quickly, because the lights were about to change. So I focused on the iron trellis, leaving the street sign in softer focus, but still apparent.

So tell me, did you notice the street sign immediately?

Visit MamaGeek and Cecily, creators of Photo Story Friday.

22 comments:

Unknown said...

I focused on the railings immediately because they are so beautiful and so remind me of those in Savannah, New Orleans and Charleston.

And I the love the colors in the tiny tree branch in the upper left hand corner.

Photoshop out the signs? =0

Susan English Mason said...

The sign did not distract me. I thought the railing was so beautiful and so deep in color that it caught and kept my interest.

♥ Boomer ♥ said...

Unfortunately ~ street signs ~ only because I figured there was a catch! The signs seemed to contradict each other. Then, I saw the way the colors all came together so beautifully, and saving the best for last, I focused in on the gorgeous railings. Hope this doesn't reveal some psychopathic character flaw in me! Ha!!

Martha Z said...

First the ironwork which is beautiful, then the sign which is unusual but I suspect is related to a nearby chapel. Great shot.

Jazz said...

For me it was all about the street sign. Honestly, I didn't notice the grill til you talked about it. That sign is priceless!

Sniffles and Smiles said...

I noticed the railing...it's beautiful!

Chris said...

What a classic sign -- I've never seen that before.

tiarastantrums said...

it was the first thing I noticed - sadly

Rinkly Rimes said...

Are both going to a better place?

Eddie Bluelights said...

Railing first then focussed on the parking sign and of course my sense of humour took over. "Can I borrow a hearse please?"

Nessa said...

I love the word redolent.

Wayne said...

great photo friday

thonkyou for sharing

annies home said...

too funny and yes I did notice the sign

Tessa said...

My eye went immediately to the curvatious beauty of the wrought iron - I really only took in the sign after reading your post!

Tiffany Norris said...

Actually not at all--I only saw the railings! After I read your post, I had to go back and take a look. But I guess that's nothing new. :)

i beati said...

yes but not as fast as usual

Cath said...

Yes - unfortunately because of the bright red on the street sign it caught my eye. But I soon moved to the railings.

Great shot - and story.
(One day you'll get arrested y'know!)

MamaGeek @ Works For Us said...

I noticed it right away, how charming is that! And sincere thanks for the POTD nod, I'm humbled David.

Margaret's Ramblings said...

I noticed the signs first, mainly because I couldn't read them and being such a nosey individual, that annoyed me, LOL. Then I saw the railings and they are beautiful.

Margaret

Unknown said...

The signs first, though I think they add something to the photo. Color, perspective...That railing is gorgeous, though.

Carrie and Troy Keiser said...

saw the street sign first off and did my best to read it before I even noticed the iron railing.

katherine. said...

I noticed only because the 'dead reckoning" tagline made me look...