Monday, November 08, 2010

That ain't how you clock off

Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON. (Image ID: 129-5731)


It's not a movie set. It's not a theatre rehearsal. It's not even a real person, so you can relax! This lifelike figure is suspended high above the entrance to the Pancake Parlour at the Jam Factory, in the inner-city Melbourne suburb of Prahran.

The figure clings to the hands of the clock - and I was immediately caught up by the challenge of finding the best angle and the most suitable focal length to capture it. From memory, I shot about five or six frames before deciding this one was the most dramatic.

37 comments:

Lee said...

That looks like it might draw a lot of attention from tourists. Interesting subject! Daylight Savings Time has Fall-en back today. :-)

Cheers,
Lee

Shrinky said...

Isn't there a scene like this in "The 49 Steps"? Great shot, and a wonderful clock!

Rune Eide said...

Haold Lloyd would have been proud - and so shall you be.

Maggie May said...

You had me going then!
Looks precarious!
Wonderful to draw in the crowds and to snap though!
Maggie X

Nuts in May

CiCi said...

He does look real. Ha. Nice shot.

Sylvia K said...

I bet that does draw a lot of attention! What a hoot! I love it! And you got an excellent shot -- which, of course, is no surprise! Hope you have a great week, David!

Sylvia

Johnnny said...

As others have already pointed out, your fine photo was a good reminder to change our clocks back an hour today.

Your season for butterflies and flowers is just beginning down under.

Here is one picture from our backyard during this past {summer.}

Unknown said...

I am a very right-brained, erratic thinker, so I'm immediately reminded of the film The Hudsucker Proxy, which was on the tube only yesterday.

Cool photo.

Ciao,
Gina

Akelamalu said...

That figure is certainly very lifelike! :0

Merisi said...

Really dramatic head-turner, captured perfectly! :-)

Hilary said...

So its just not true when they say that time waits for no man.

Great perspective of an odd image. I can see the bottom of his shoes so I guess that it IS true that time heels. ;)

Rajlakshmi said...

woaaa at first i thought it was real...
nice shot.

Eddie Bluelights said...

He looks in a bit of a jam himself!

Eleonora Baldwin said...

Reminds me of a few films, now that you mention it... The most modern being "Back to the Future"

It's so great to see you back in blogland! I have a new photoblog now, I'd love you to come visit:
Roma Every Day

Ciao from your old friend
Lola of Aglio, Olio & Peperoncino

Moannie said...

Loved it! I thought, 'Wow!David is right there once again as man tries to turn back time.'

Mimi said...

Whiling away the hours!
I'm glad it's inside and not out near a road- I'd crash trying to capture it!

larkswing said...

I thought he was real at first! Fun shot!

david mcmahon said...

I think it's been around for a while, Lee - but it was the first time I'd seen it!

david mcmahon said...

Hi Shrinky, will check out the DVD and report back to you!

david mcmahon said...

Thanks very much, RuneE. Hope you're enjoying the trial run with the new camera.

david mcmahon said...

Aye, Maggie, ``precarious'' is definitely the word for it!

david mcmahon said...

Thanks, TechnoBabe - had to take a few shots to find the right angle, though!

david mcmahon said...

So very glad you like the shot, Sylvia.

david mcmahon said...

Thanks, Johnny, will try and check out that link as soon as I can.

david mcmahon said...

Thanks, Gina - I'll have to refresh my memory of that film.

david mcmahon said...

Merci, Akelamalu - the secret was to stand underneath, looking out. That way I was able to get his face as well as the way the body displays urgency and alarm.

david mcmahon said...

Thank you, Merisi - glad this shot caught your eye.

david mcmahon said...

Hilary, your dexterity with words never fails to make me smile. Bravo!

david mcmahon said...

Thanks, Rajlaksmhi - I'm glad you thought so.

david mcmahon said...

Nice play on words, Sir Edward - as always.

david mcmahon said...

Lola, thank you for your warm wishes. Great to know about your new blog. Will definitely check it out.

david mcmahon said...

Thank you, Moannie. I don't think he quite succeeded in turning back time though!

david mcmahon said...

Very true, Mimi - maybe that's precisely why it's not outside!

david mcmahon said...

So glad you liked the one, Lailani.

Lew said...

It's nice to see you back in blogland with verse, prose and especially photography!

spacedlaw said...

Do we know if Lloyd liked pancakes?
Great angle.

Virginia said...

You crack me up on a daily basis. DId you know that?? HA
V