Friday, May 08, 2009

Is This Lois’s Lane?

Must Be The Ripple Effect

Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON


I’ve been a swimmer since as far back as I can remember, but sometimes it takes us years to notice the littlest details about our surroundings. I’ve been waiting a few weeks for a chance to take some generic shots at a swimming pool, and the perfect opportunity was Anzac Day last Saturday.

A few days earlier, I rang a large, well-regarded indoor pool and explained that I wanted to come in and take some generic shots early one morning before they opened for business. As the pool was only due to open at 1pm on Anzac Day, it was agreed that I would rock up at 12.30 and spend about twenty minutes there with my camera before the doors opened.


While I walked from one end of the main pool to the other, I stopped briefly and fired off a couple of frames of a single lane rope tethered to its metal retainer. Because there was no one in the pool, the surface of the water was absolutely calm. Also, because it is an indoor pool, there was no breeze.

It was only when I got home and viewed the images on my computer that I spotted something that had escaped me at the pool. The rippling effect, caused by surface tension of the water around the plastic lane marker, is clearly visible.

Now I’ll just have to wait for the next public holiday to take some close-up shots of the same view. Stay tuned.


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19 comments:

Ananda girl said...

David, you make the most ordinary things look extraordinary! The colors are so vibrant too. Nice.

Carolyn R. Parsons said...

Finally, someone who knows what surface tension is....lol...I was trying to explain it to someone the other day..you know a lot of people don't know? Strange.

Great picture. Great how you got a bonus with the ripples!

Breeze

Sniffles and Smiles said...

Terrific shots! I love how you take close-up of things that most people generally ignore or miss! You are brilliant!

Sarah Lulu said...

I really enjoy seeing what isn't see usually like that. Thank you.

ArneA said...

Had to read your post twice looking for Superman´s girlfriend And perhaps that is why I nominate your post as POTD
Have a nice weekend wherever you go swimming

Maggie May said...

It is amazing how you can make the simplest of things into an exciting photo, David & I do love your *photo gallery* and the brilliant colours & composition of your work.
Brightens anyone's day just looking at the loveliness.

Kate said...

Nicely observed. I like the combination of science and art... a blogger after my own heart.

Juan said...

Wow! I hadn't even noticed the ripples until you mentioned them! It's incredible how little we really pay attention to our surroundings! Thanks for this.

Nessa said...

I love that you take pictures of the most mundane things and make them beautiful. I'd be afraid my camera would fall in the pool.

Jinksy said...

What amazes me, is how these shots give a feeling of the depth of the cool, clear water under the red discs. Does that come from the actual image, or from my mind knowing water depth is the third dimension of the photo?

Unknown said...

Oooooh, is this the famous ripple effect plaguing the world... and you captured it??!!

Shadow said...

cool shots. quite puzzling at first glance...

GreenJello said...

Love the angle of the last shot the best. :)

Mojo said...

That is such a cool effect! Can I nominate this for a POTD? Or would that be considered tacky? Well I would if I could, that's for certain.

Anonymous said...

I just love finding such nuance in seemingly mundane things! Excellent find David.

Carrie and Troy Keiser said...

Everything is worth a second look, huh?

Thumbelina said...

Such an observant eye! You do make the most ordinary things interesting!

Sandy Kessler said...

I always have such fun guessing where we are Sandy

TBM said...

Great photos! I love the repetition and the colours.