Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON
The beautiful flower known as the bird of paradise has always fascinated me, not just because of its graceful structure and height, but also because of the striking dark blue, orange and white spanned on a single bloom.
When we were in Sydney last month, it was really interesting to see that the warmer climate in the New South Wales capital city brings a totally different growth cycle to plants that are no longer flowering here in Victoria.
This particular bloom was in a rather interesting spot. I was delighted to see it on a crowded holiday morning in a major tourist precinct. I framed the first shot very deliberately, so that the shape and colour of the flower would dominate the composition of the shot.
Then I took a second shot, in the same place, but this time with the focus reversed. Now the flower is completely out of focus and the famous, much-photographed building in the background dominated the shot.
Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to present the Sydney Opera House.
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Hocus, focus! Both shots are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI guess both God and man can create beauty!
ReplyDeleteYour interesting post brings forth some questions for discussion: 1. do birds from paradice (sic) fly south for the winter? (or north if you're in Australia?) 2. which is thee most beautiful flower? 3. are there any birds named after a flower? 4. all of the above 5. none of the above, except for number 2. {RSVP - pardon my French}
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful! What a fun surprise! You truly work magic with your lens!
ReplyDeleteThe Sydney Opera House is so cool! (as well as the blooms) I would like to see a shot of you all hunkered down to get these pics. :^)
ReplyDeleteExcellent study of focus points David!
ReplyDeleteI grew up with bird of paradise in our southern California garden. I, too, find them fascinationg. I brought one back from a visit home to show my first grade students one time. they'd never seen such a thing in the Northwest.
ReplyDeleteExcellent photography. Chris brought home a good point. From a Pastor to a Photographer, 'God created Man in his image'. For me that means we all have 'traits' of God. You captured a unique sense of that. God as a creator and Man as a creator. Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI love these flowers but have never seen one in person that was not a cut flower in a florist's shop.
ReplyDeleteOregon, where I live is stunningly beautiful for different reasons. Where you live is amazing to me. I am so glad that you glory in it's beauty. Such should be photographed and appreciated. Thank you for sharing it with me.
And that bird of paradise is singing soprano! ;-)
ReplyDeleteSheila
Great shots!
ReplyDeleteThose are just the coolest flowers. I have wooden replicas because it's not the right climate here for them to grow. Really like the two shots!
ReplyDeletewowwww.... what a capture :):)
ReplyDeletethats awesome... i just love the way u have to pictures with the different focal point...superbbbb !!!
Todays POTD should definitely be you :):)
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ReplyDeleteThat's true. everything depends on what we see. its like calling a glass half empty or half full. Most of the time depending on our mood and our attitude we see what we want to see and ignore the rest.Even though focus is on something else, there may be people who will see things which are not focused and this reflects their personality.
ReplyDeleteNice Photos. You really capture the heart and soul of the objects
They're both great shots, I like how you show them both, and tell us what you did. Vidsiting here is always very inspiring. Thank you david!
ReplyDeleteI love the way you do that! Twin photos with a different focus/emphasis.
ReplyDeleteThe flower...... a Strelizia also grows prolifically in the Canary Isles. so my cousin tells me!
A while whale of an opera house!
ReplyDeleteBeautifully done.
ReplyDeleteMagic. I found a series of pictures a friend did to be a metaphorical labyrinth of sorts; my perception. He said: Nope, just a bunch of shots.
ReplyDelete;-0~Mary
I see a face from Easter Island!
ReplyDeleteThat was too cool David! Keep 'em coming.
Wow-o-wow! Incredible!
ReplyDeleteI knew it was the Opera House in the first photo! Been there, done that! I do like the Bird of Paradise as well!
ReplyDeleteBoth shots are gorgeous, but I LOVE the first. That flower is stunning!
ReplyDeleteI love to focus and the refocus the same shot gives it something totally different!
ReplyDeleteThat is one of my favorite flowers! They are SO neat! Nice shot of the opera house.
ReplyDeleteBoth shots are great - I love the twist in this tale!
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