Monday, July 06, 2009

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.

23 comments:

Maggie May said...

Great photos.
Glad the man moved and let the sun in!

Ananda girl said...

Serendipitous! They are so brilliant that when I saw them on my dashboard, I thought at first it was a photo of fire.

Unknown said...

Oh wow, those are gorgeous - as you say, the saturation of light really makes the image look like an oil painting!

cheshire wife said...

In that second photo the flowers look really hot. Almost alight!

Eddie Bluelights said...

Golly, David, the light is indeed fantastic and shows beautifully on the photographs ~ Eddie

I've been sweating it out watching the men's Wimbledon tennis final in our conservatory!!

However it was not nearly the surprise we got last week when two beings descended without warning from the sky!! Almost unbelievable!

Saz said...

I am incandecently orange with happiness...how is it a picture or colour can do that!!

Grace Albaugh said...

What a fabulous gift for you David! Being bathed in the light. Perfect shot.

Susan English Mason said...

Well, did you buy them for Mrs. Authorblog? I'm waiting...

Tammie Lee said...

wow wow such vibrant and wonderful photos.

SandyCarlson said...

I want 'em! Oh, the last shot is like a fire.

VALKYRIEN said...

That last shot is exquisite in both color and composition! They are bursting into flames those flowers!

Luiz Ramos said...

Beautiful work and colours.

Amanda said...

OOOOH the color, beautiful Gerber daisies!

Tom said...

Hello David these are great, and the last shot is truely awesome my friend...
Hope you are well.
Tom
Fuchsia & Raindrops

DeniseinVA said...

Nothing short of spectacular, fantastic shots! I am learning thanks to blogs like yours how important lighting is to an image. It can change things so dramatically, turning a photo into a masterpiece.

Ebie said...

The second photo is lovely, its worth more than $12. Enjoy your week!

Regina said...

Beautiful color.

Merisi said...

"Semper Paratus" - "Always Ready" - David McMahon's motto! :-)

Luckily, the passerby moved out of the sun without you having to ask him "Noli turbare circulos meos" - and therefore getting that gorgeous shot of the flowers instead of suffering Archimedes' fate!

Arija said...

Great shots, really great shots David. I love the sun drenched version.

Shadow said...

they look like molten lava

Annie said...

Ah, lovely color, light and composition! Well done David. Very cheerful!

Tessa said...

Superb! Hot inspiration.

Daryl said...

$12 is a lot for a bunch of mums lovely as they may be ... I hope they last a week or more


... and light is so fickle ;-D