Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON
There’s nothing like a crisp blue winter sky if you want to shoot flags fluttering in a strong breeze. Actually, we are a few days past the winter solstice here in Melbourne and the days are (imperceptibly) getting longer, with an extra minute of daylight every evening – but this shot was taken about four weeks ago, in late May, the last week of autumn.
I was walking up Bourke Street when I noticed this cluster of flags near a visitor information booth. I was about to shoot them front-on against the façade of a building when I realised there was a better shot if I kept walking and turned round in the other direction.
That way, I was facing a clear blue sky, the perfect foil for these long rectangular flags. Also, by shooting from this angle, the actual lettering on the flags is the wrong way around – so it’s kind of irresistible to try and sit there for a couple of extra moments and work out what the message is.
Just for the record, the flags were advertising last month's "Melbourne Italian Festival".
Visit TNChick's Photo Hunt. Today's theme: "Flags''.
20 comments:
Another beautiful shot, and yes, that crisp, blue sky is a perfect background. I particularly like the colors in the last photo.
I'm seriously thinking of getting a new PC, but Paco is behaving beautifully at the moment, so perhaps a new camera is what I truly need. I know that a bad workman blames his tools but it is very frustrating when I spot something, point, click and shoot, and what I saw with my eye is not there in the memory card when I get home. My camera zoom is pathetically not up to the job.
I see the detail, colour and clarity of your work [that is the camera, right?] although the artistry and the vision is yours. You will tell me that one is no good without the other, and you would be right...I still don't see, as you do...but the thought is there...new camera Annie, go get it.
I love to see flags flying, especially against a lovely sky like that!
Great photo.
Oh, and David...Erin at http://womaninawindow.blogspot.com/2009/06/reverential-dwarf.html has done it again, please take a look, and may I suggest that you nominate a Post of the month or year, and give it to her.
Flags are hard to shoot, great photos David!
I love the angle of this shot and the off center frame. It almost has sound ...flags filled and snapping from the wind. <3
Interesting angle. Beautiful blue sky.
We have an Italian Festival here every year, too...
Nice flag shots - I can never seem to click the shutter when the wind has them unfurled. You have much better timing than I.
Molto Bene!
The Italian Festival hey? What you learn in the blogasphere.... should get commission for advertising.
My daughter has 60 hours left to work off her learners licence .... think a drive to Melbourne and back might make a big hole in that time requirement.
Possibly even see you there ....:)
Aloha David,
Gorgeous shot..love the blue skies!
Happy PH!!
Cindy O
It was worth it to walk around the other side. Great shot.
It’s so strange thinking of you having the shortest day of the year during our longest. I do envy those clear blue skies. That second image really captures the movement so well. I love the abstraction.
This is definitely the angle to shoot a flag from. By their nature, you expect them to tower over head, regardless of whether they're national flags, state flags or simply ad banners. By virtue of being a flag they command a certain respect. Which is, I suppose, why we always seem to shoot them at an upward angle.
Or maybe I'm full of it and it's just because they look cool from there...
Don't think I can read anything about winter right now, as summer is so beeeeeaaaauuuutiful! Great shots and wonderful sky though...worth a look.
I agree with you. The best shots of flags have the distant lofty blue sky as background. :)
I think it's difficult to get a great flag photo. Your last one is AWESOME!
Beautiful flags... I wonder how the festival went! My flags are here.
Beautiful photo!
That was very cool, nice pictures. Is there a big Italian community in Melbourne?
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