Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Bold as brass

Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON (Image ID: 124-6111)


Shooting images during street parades can be really difficult. On the plus side, you are outdoors, so you have good light, and bright colours to work with. But people are constantly moving in front of you (even if you are over six foot tall and standing on tiptoe) and those who are part of the parade are constantly in motion.

But I shot this during the Moomba parade here in Melbourne in March. Beautiful day. Plenty of sunshine. And I decided to use the longer of my two lenses, replacing my 18-125mm lens with a 70-300mm lens. This gave me great depth of field as I zoomed in on this tuba player.

Did you notice the reflection on his brass instrument, showing the city skyline behind him - and the crowds lining St Kilda Road in front of him? If you want to see the original high-res version of this shot on my Red Bubble site, just click here.

26 comments:

  1. Great picture, I truly appreciate the clarity of the reflection.

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  2. Someday I am getting a 70-300 ... meanwhile I will keep snapping with my 18-105 and wish it was longer

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  3. I love that photo with it's reflection.
    Maggie X

    Nuts in May

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  4. really a great picture David. Excellent composition.

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  5. Love the perspective in the reflection!
    Complimenti!!

    Have a great week,
    Lola xx

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  6. David, my hubby would sympathise with those difficulties, he shoots lots for the band our kids play in.
    I always love the reflections you can see in the big brass instruments, and you've shown them to great effect here.
    I love the rich jewel colours against the gold too.

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  7. I'm looking forward to the incredible photo opportunities awaiting me in New Orleans.

    Want to meet and teach me some good tricks?

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  8. Lots of polish and love the reflections

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  9. Brill shot David, well polished photo.

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  10. Great reflection of the city. Love reflection shots.

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  11. I'm grateful for the words; without your description I wouldn't have looked again - and would henceforth have missed the detail.

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  12. Many thanks, TechnoBabe - there was a lot of luck involved.

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  13. Thanks so much, Sheila.

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  14. Weather was on my side, Akelamalu!

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  15. Very kind of you, Shadow. Clear sky, so the reflection was pretty decent.

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  16. Daryl, the funny thing is, fewer than 10 per cent of my images are shot with the long lens.

    As you saw that day in NYC, my default lens in the 18-125mm because it is so versatile.

    But it's great to have a 300mm lens handy - just in case.

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  17. Thank you so much, Maggie - really appreciate it.

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  18. So kind of you, Ellen. Your comment put a HUGE smile on my face.

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  19. Mimi, I would love to meet your husband and go out on a shoot with him, standing shoulder-to-shoulder and sharing advice. Tell him it's on, it's happening!

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  20. Aims, delighted to hear about your Nawlins trip. Have emailed you with some advice, but beyond all else, just follow your own instincts.

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  21. Thank you very much, Eddie.

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  22. Very kind of you, iMac. Many thanks.

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  23. Glad you liked the reflection of the skyscrapers, Katney!

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  24. Many thanks, Ellie - so glad you liked the shot and the reflections in the brass surface.

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