Bright Prospects

Yours, For Just $12 - An Armful Of Colour

Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON

These shots were taken two weeks ago, on a glorious winter afternoon when the sun was shining brightly and there was no real bite in the wind chill. I detoured through the forecourt of Flinders Street Station, where the flower vendors always add a touch of colour to the day.

Sure enough, among all the long-stemmed roses and a wonderful assortment of other varieties, I spotted these beautiful orange crysanthemums. I had just hit the button on the first frame (above) but I wanted to compose a tighter shot. It took me a split second to adjust the focal length, when all of a sudden the light changed dramatically.

And I mean ... dramatically.

It was as if a burst of light had suddenly illuminated the orange foliage. But the sun hadn't just emerged from a cloud. I was puzzled, and looked to my side - and immediately realised what had happened. Someone standing near me had been blocking the direct sunlight and as soon as he moved, the blooms were bathed in blinding light.

Instead of waiting or moving to a better position (or waiting for a cloud to mask the bright sun) I took the shot anyway, knowing the saturation of light would give me an effect that looked something like an oil painting. I wasn't disappointed ....


Visit Luiz Santilli Jr for the home of Today's Flowers.