Sunday, November 14, 2010

Raise the red lantern

Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON (Image ID: Malaysia2010-3575)


I shot this outside the Pavilion centre in Kuala Lumpur on a hot, humid January day this year. We had walked past the place the previous evening and my attention was caught by a beautiful floral display in the courtyard, as well as the lanterns that seemed to rain down from the atrium above.

But the real challenge was to shoot the red cascade from a different point of view, rather than simply front-on. By shooting it from directly underneath, it brought fresh perspective, as well as the reflections behind the lanterns. For me, the bonus was being able to see the clear glass atrium above, with the geometrical squares against the sky.

By the way, if you fancy your powers of observation, take a simple 30-second challenge here that I've posted on my Red Bubble site.

20 comments:

Jewels said...

So much texture. It's beautiful David.

Johnnny said...

After clicking on the picture to see it bigger and better, I like seeing the ceiling squares reflected in the side glass. Red certainly is a great color for jumping out, isn't it?

Brian Miller said...

that is a really cool perspective david...

Maggie May said...

Like a red waterfall coming down. Lovely angle.
Maggie X

Nuts in May

CiCi said...

You are teaching me to see things from different angles just to make life interesting, not as a photographer as I don't use the camera very much. But I know some day that too will change and I will use the camera more.

Eleonora Baldwin said...

Love the texture and perspective (and the title made me smile)

Ciao
Lola xx

Rajlakshmi said...

that looks lovely :)

aims said...

Red rain. Could be ominous but instead is just beautiful!

I'm always caught by anything red. Maybe being a redhead does that?

david mcmahon said...

Thanks, Jewels - they seemed to go on forever!

david mcmahon said...

You're right about red, Johnny - and yes, part of the attraction of using that angle was the reflection.

david mcmahon said...

Thanks so much, Brian - the full-size version is actually displayed on my Red Bubble site. The one here is just low-res.

david mcmahon said...

How poetically expressed, Maggie. Beautiful description.

david mcmahon said...

Thanks, Gina - I guess cameras can be as complex as you want to use them, or as simple as you choose. I use mine like a simple piece of equipment.

david mcmahon said...

So glad you like the title, Elonora. And I'm delighted that the image caught your attention. Merci!

david mcmahon said...

Thank you, Rajlakshmi - the lanterns were in celebration of Chinese New Year.

david mcmahon said...

Hi there, Aims - and to think that all those who remember your great Sunday Roast photo while holding a certain novel would think you were actually a brunette with spiky hair!

Jo said...

That is the reddest red I have ever seen.

I took the little quiz, and only got three right. :-(

Jules~ said...

This is such a wonderful picture. I am not normally a huge fan of the color red but I think it is perfect in this shot. I can't imagine it being any other color. Thank you for giving the perspective of looking up into the cascade. That is just how I would be standing to take in the view...only my mouth would be gaping open at the same time.

Have a blessed day.

myonlyphoto said...

David this one interesting photo.
Anna :) PS again glad to see you back blogging.

Rune Eide said...

Any small boy would immediately think of climbing :-)