Friday, May 29, 2009

Take It At Faith Value

A Judicious Mix Of Old And New

Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON


We’ve had some strange weather in the last week, highly unseasonal for the last week of the Australian autumn. We’ve had some heavy fogs and comparatively warm nights with no frost, but once the fog has burned away, we’ve had cloudless days with temperatures about five degrees above normal.

This shot was taken about 11.30 in the morning last Friday, as I walked across the pedestrian footbridge that connects Southbank to the central business district. The fog had pretty much gone, but there was a slight haze in the sky.

Naturally I had to stop and find a way to portray it. The beautiful steeple of St Paul’s Cathedral, a prominent landmark across the river on Flinders Street, was what I chose. By composing a tight frame, I was able to get the steeple as an interesting counterpoint to two office buildings just behind it.

You can have a great city, you can have reliable commerce, you can have wonderful landmarks, but if you don’t have faith, there is something crucial missing. Works in every aspect of life, don’t you think?

For other participants in Dot’s concept, go to Sky Watch HQ.

34 comments:

Maggie May said...

Lovely photos through the fog.
Yes, you have to have faith, but then I suppose everybody has faith in some thing or some one. However you were talking about the Almighty God, i suspect!

Shadow said...

you sure know where to look.

Sylvia K said...

Really stunning shot, David, as always! And, yes, without faith in whatever feeds our lives, we aren't left with much. Thanks for the beauty and the words! Happy SWF!

Unknown said...

Magnificent picture David!

Anonymous said...

Very true! Wonderful pictures! I hope you're enjoying the less than normal weather... I hate being cold myself. :)

Unknown said...

We really need some faith to get thru this economic situation, not to mention Iraq, Afghanistan, Korea, etc. Absolutely great shot!

Jinksy said...

At least here the cathedral is a firmer, more important image than the commercialised, hazy building backdrop - in that way, it mimics the perspective we need in life. You did well to capture this example of what is important.

Amanda O'Tremba Oster said...

Love the shot. Love the thoughts. Love, love, love! Thank you.

Sniffles and Smiles said...

Terrific post, David!!!! I love the mists...and your words fit so perfectly! This is, pardon the pun, truly in-spiring! ~Janine

Eddie Bluelights said...

Janine beat me to it with 'inspiring'.
Super shot

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Great photos, David. I love fog. It is so mysterious.

Sheila :-)

Elizabeth Bradley said...

Ha, Janine's pun cracked me up. It's so interesting how you are able to find a theme and sum it up so eloquently. Great shot. Fog can evoke so much emotion.

Strawberry Girl said...

Fantastic photography!! I love how your able to capture the essence of things like that. I totally agree about faith as well, if it's missing, your soul will be hungry. :0)

MamaGeek @ Works For Us said...

Oooooh I love that perspective David!

Cheffie-Mom said...

Very true! Faith is ACTION!

Guy D said...

Great contrast in that shot David, I absolutely love it.

Have a great weekend.
Guy
Regina In Pictures

Bee said...

I love seeing churches dotted between other structures which have grown up around them. We need our dreaming spires . . .

Baino said...

I have a similar shot actually, we came in on Friday and it remained foggy for most of the day (actually it looked more like pollution as we descended but it all cleared by Sunday. I loved the mixed up buildings in Melbourne. It's an architects, paradise. Sorry we missed you . . maybe next time! (I didn't even notice the street sculpture until the very last evening walking the full length of Bourke Street! Shame!)

2sweetnsaxy said...

I definitely believe that without faith something is missing.

Nice shot. :-)

VALKYRIEN said...

I like the lines in this photo - and the blue mood that comes out from it.

Sharon Rose said...

David, you always find the good in everything you capture with the lens. There is a story to be told with each photograph. Stop by and pick up a gift I have left you on my site. Have a lovely Day!

Sherri said...

Cool Picture! How funny my last name is Flinders. I had heard their was a Flinders College in Australia.

Thanks for nominating my post. I'm glad you enjoyed it. I was a little worried people might think I wasn't very patriotic.?

Anonymous said...

Hi David - That is a great composition and it tells a story. Really liked this picture.

One of the most surprising images I ever saw was seeing the Alamo (an old church and historic treasure in American history) in the middle of downtown San Antonio, Texas. Very confusing to see history "alive" in the present.

Butternut Squash said...

Soaring image. I absolutely agree. I feel very sad for people who claim that they have no sense of divinity. I guess I don't entirely believe them.

Rikkij said...

yes, I think all have been given a measure of faith. just needs to be excercised. Nice pic as always!~rick

Jeri ~ said...

Great shot, love the look of the fog...and yes, we all need to have faith!

erin said...

so true david...faith is indeed a constant in our lives.
lovely capture.

endangered coffee said...

very nice, I like the cropping so you see only the steeple and not the entire church.

♥ Braja said...

Beautiful photo...and I love your last sentence...

SandyCarlson said...

Oh, wow. That is absolutely spectacular.

Beth said...

Gorgeous photo and compelling thoughts. You hit the nail right on the head.

Berni said...

Thanks for your comment David. I agree with you about faith. I can't imagine living and not believing how do people carry on without faith.

Janie said...

Lovely juxtaposition of two aspects of city life.

KathyB. said...

I too love the shot of the mist on the steeple and your comment about faith, so true and necessary.