Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Image Building

Hello Dali, Well, Hello Dali

Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON


I reckon I've walked past this building dozens of times, but what caught my attention about five weeks ago, when I took these shots, was the interesting, moody sky reflected in the sharply segmented exterior glass of the structure.

It was a grey winter day with scattered patches of blue sky, and I stood there for a few seconds, enthralled by the wonderful reflection I could see. You see, this building is on the south side of the Yarra, but because of where I was standing, I could actually see the reflection of the Optus building and other offices on the other side of the river bank.

Then when I sat down at my computer later and examined the images, something caught my eye. See how the word "Optus" is reversed - as you'd expect in a mirror image?

Now look at the bottom image and have a look at the very dark flag (in the bottom left-hand corner) advertising the Salvador Dali exhibition. Well, here's the puzzle - the lettering is the right way round.

It took me at least a minute to figure it out. The flag was obviously flying the wrong way round in the crisp, cold breeze - but the reflection has inverted it to seem "normal".


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32 comments:

SandyCarlson said...

That's a wonderful photo, David. I love the title, too. What a little glass can do.

DeniseinVA said...

Fascinating images, and great photography. Like Sandy I also love the title. I would have been scratching my head on that Dali sign.

Brian Miller said...

wow, you never cease to amaze. great capture!

Daryl said...

I was away at a blogger get-together in Virginia and amazingly there was no wireless internet ... so very ironic and yet it was fabulous ... so I have a lot of catch up .. consider this a blanket comment for all the fabulous shots you have posted whilst I was away! xo

James said...

That is really cool David. I love taking pictures of reflections on buildings.
With the Dali sign this one is perfect.

Janie said...

Great photo of a most impressive reflection. Wonderful observations on the inverted lettering, too. I always enjoy the play on words in your titles.

Elisabeth's bright side said...

A very enigmatic collage!

ArtistUnplugged said...

What an interesting shot David!!!

Unknown said...

What a wonderful photo!

Unknown said...

Wow, you're wonderful! Such a fascinating shot!

And, yes, the title is superb.

Miranda said...

Nice shot, I love glassy, reflecting building shots.

Janet said...

Very interesting. I love Salvador Dali, so I thought at first you might have gone to the museum in St. Petersburg Florida.

Corey~living and loving said...

I really love that you notice stuff like that. :)

Cheffie-Mom said...

Very neat! I love reflections in photos!

Nan Sheppard said...

Wow, that is so cool!

Maggie May said...

Now that was an amazing find. You definitely don't miss a thing! Some people wouldn't have noticed that! But yes, that is the only explanation!

Sylvia K said...

Great title, fabulous shots! Terrific reflections! Got it all one more time, David!

Madame DeFarge said...

I love the way you see things that others don't and are also able to describe them. It's such a fine talent.

Anonymous said...

You are amazing, David. Most of us...well I, would have been quite content with that first picture, the Daliesqueness of the reflection is wonderful, but you see more...a back to front name and the fact that the flag is right even though it's wrong. Je 'taime.

Mimi said...

WoW! You're like a forensic scientist!

Anonymous said...

Interesting reflection, David. I'm glad you solved the puzzle for us, as I would have turned it over and over in my mind.

Jenn Jilks said...

Cool shots!

Unknown said...

wow, that is crazy. how clever of you to figure that out. the reflections are awesome!

introspection said...

Fabulous fotos as usual, David. Your post never fails to fascinate me.
David, I recently came across a blog site 'blog chai.com'. It is an Indian blog site where the best blogs have been listed and link provided. The list includes celebrity blogs and who's who blogs. I have recommended your blog and they have already included it there. Here's their comment. I hope you have no problem with my recommending Authorblog.

I am reproducing the blogchai comment here

OSAI Chella noreply-comment@blogger.com to me
show details 9:40 am (1 hour ago)

OSAI Chella has left a new comment on the post "Destiny Decides....!!!":

You recommended authors blog but we listed you both!lol! Keep writing.

PS: Thanks & cheers

introspection said...

Oops, I forgot the full comment. Here it is:

OSAI Chella has left a new comment on the post "Destiny Decides....!!!":

You recommended authors blog but we listed you both!lol! Keep writing.

We are very pleased to inform you that our readers can now sip your blog at blogchai.com 24 by 7 by 52.177457* (unlike the passing digg listing! ). Happy blogging! More and more readers! More and more wisdom sharing!

If you like our service kindly consider a link or a badge (available in our blogchai site)
so that we will grow together. Cheers!

Osai Chella..
Founder: BlogChai.com
"your daily cup of blog chai!"

* As per Google Search Term "weeks in an year" ! lol!

Posted by OSAI Chella to Inner Feelings at July 20, 2009 9:10 PM

The Cowgirl said...

tremendous...I love discovering unexpected treasures like that!

scribbling sassy said...

wow! could they have done this purposely? For the glass to distort that way??? 'cuz if they didn't that is actually a Major flaw in curtain wall (cladding-facades),'cuz the perfect and usual way is for the glass to reflect its surroundings without distortion... Anyway, it turned out nicely in your photo, it's now a piece of art! ^^

Arija said...

Delicious distortions David.
Beautifully spotted.

Mojo said...

Fabuklous shots. And you really hit the "X Ring" on the title too. Masterful.

Hilary said...

I never know which is going to be more of a treat.. your photos or your titles. And of course, it's always both.

LadyFi said...

Now that is a great photo! Eye-catching and playful.

Willow said...

That is the most AWESOME photo, David! The reversal of the Dali flag is super super cool!