Thursday, October 28, 2010

Steel yourself

Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON (Image ID: Sydney2010-6640)


This was shot beneath one of the world's great landmarks, but can you guess which one it is? I was captivated not just by the graceful street lamp but by the many geometrical silhouettes I could see here - squares, rectangles, circles, triangles and arcs.

No, it's not the Eiffel Tower. No, it ain't the Golden Gate Bridge. I shot this on home soil. Any ideas? OK - I'll reveal this was shot in New South Wales. If you said I was standing underneath the Sydney Harbour Bridge, then you are absolutely right!

I shot this on the Easter weekend this year. We were with close friends at the open-air weekend market at The Rocks, the historic harbourside area, when I decided to walk underneath the bridge to see if I could perhaps conjure up a "different" view of the much-photographed Australian icon.

20 comments:

imac said...

Ah, When I guess right, you give the answer away David.lol.
Love it,Thars beauty in those lines.

CiCi said...

You are right to admire the many designs. Lovely photo. And thanks for disclosing the location.

david mcmahon said...

Good detective work, iMac.

Brian Miller said...

nice. i like teh little textures in the lamp...the twist artiste'...i got no clue where it is...

david mcmahon said...

Thanks, TechnoBabe - lucky for me it was a beautiful day, with clear blue skies, so the silhouette worked well!

david mcmahon said...

Thanks, Brian. The lamp is actually a street lamp, not connected in any way with the Harbour Bridge - but the silhouettes worked well together!

Fragrant Liar said...

And you did find a new view. Love the ornate architecture against a gorgeous blue backdrop.

Unknown said...

Beautiful iron work and excellently composed photograph.

I did not guess correctly. But sometimes I do! :-)

Ciao,
Gina

Bernie said...

Love the street light, I would not have guessed so thank you for telling. I have heard it mentioned several times when watching the Australian Open......:-) Hugs

david mcmahon said...

Thank you, Fragrant Liar - it probably wouldn't have worked as well against a cloudy sky!

david mcmahon said...

Gina, great to know you guessed correctly! Glad you liked the composition, too.

david mcmahon said...

Thanks, Bernie - it's a great tournament to be at - terrific "feel" to it.

Mimi said...

You're reading my mind! I swear, my first guess was Eiffel Tower, then I thought "no, Golden Gate Bridge"!
Would never have put it in Oz.
Lovely scroll things on the lamp, though.

david mcmahon said...

Great to know you went through exactly the same options, Mimi!

Shrinky said...

An original shot of a much loved landmark, and a one which brings back fond memories of a time when I crossed it, too!

david mcmahon said...

Hi Shrinky,

And the next time you're here, I hope it will be on one of those ritzy book promotion tours .....

So glad you like the image.

Maggie May said...

I think the beauty of this photo is very much to do with the colour of the sky and the stark contrast of the dark shapes and patterns against it. I think the lamp is a beautiful feature.
Maggie X

Nuts in May

david mcmahon said...

Thanks so much, Maggie. The bridge architecture dates back to the 1930s, but the street lamp would go back a lot longer than that.

They knew how to build 'em back then!

OJ Gonzalez-Cazares said...

I would've thought it was the Eiffel tower.. lovely combination of shapes - sharp edges with smooth artistic waves. Great eye!

♥ Braja said...

I guessed it and I love it ;) Beautiful shot David...beautiful...I love the blue background...I'm just trying to figure out where it's taken, is it over The Rocks end?