Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON (Image ID: Malaysia2010-3463)
Appearances can sometimes be deceptive. This might look as if it were shot in some fine theatre, with all the trappings of art and culture. However, it was shot in the basement of a shopping centre in Kuala Lumpur.
It was mid-January this year, but the pre-Chinese New Year festivities had already begun. All the street decorations were ablaze and every major intersection carried a colourful reminder of the auspicious time that was fast approaching.
When this play began, I was on the fringe of the crowd of onlookers. Anxious to find out whether I could use my camera, I caught the eye of a security guard, pointed to the camera around my neck and was delighted when he gave me a big thumbs-up. The light wasn't great, because it was not a true theatrical setting - but I was pretty pleased with the way some of the shots turned out.
My goodness, what rich colors! Those garments are fantastic. Makes me wonder what story they were telling.
ReplyDeleteCheers!
Lee
It is always nice, to get a thumbs-up from a security guard.
ReplyDeleteHow nice to be able to capture the moment ... I wish I'd been permitted to snap a few while at Cirque de Soliel's LOVE ... sigh
ReplyDeleteIt's always a good sign, to get a good sign. Hopefully, a thumbs-up is universal.
ReplyDeleteYou could make a Christmas card out of that!
ReplyDeleteMaggie X
Nuts in May
They certainly look as though they are from a professional company. :)
ReplyDeleteAnd so you should be - proud :-)
ReplyDeleteIt looks like a fine painting David. However do you do that?
ReplyDeleteSandi
One of the most wonderful things about other cultures, I thought, was the beautiful and colorful clothing. It is so sad that these elegant garments are giving way to western style clothing. What a loss.
ReplyDeleteImpressive. If I saw that here I'd think, "mardi gras."
ReplyDeleteI like the variety of colours. They show the richness of the materials used - right down to that fake black beard!
ReplyDeleteMaggie beat me to it LOL
ReplyDeleteI was going to suggest a Christmas Card.
Brilliant shot David and great the security chap gave you the nod . . . sorry thumbs up.
What an incredible shot! The colours are crystal clear and when I enlarged it, I found it even better! So glad the SG allowed you to take the shot. :D
ReplyDeleteSo colorful! I love all the vibrant reds.
ReplyDeleteSo nice that they kindly let you take pictures! :)
ReplyDeleteI wish I knew what the story was, Lee - but my translations skills were on the shoddy side of poor.
ReplyDeleteYou're right there, Johnny!
ReplyDeleteDaryl, C d S would be the ultimate place to have a camera, I reckon! Maybe you could become their official photographer ....
ReplyDeleteAye, Johnny, I'd say it translates effectively into any language.
ReplyDeleteMaggie, I had seriously never even considered that. What a great idea ... thank you so much.
ReplyDeleteHi Akelamalu - I think they were certainly a high grade production, judging by what was going on there.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much, RuneE. I'll take your word for it!
ReplyDeleteSandi, this was actually a very tough shot. As you know, I never use a tripod and with the light so low, I had to be really careful about the way I gripped the camera, to minimise lens shake and blur.
ReplyDeleteYes, Ellen, I was mesmerised by those rich costumes.
ReplyDeleteCharles, I think they must have been made of silk or brocade, because they looked very heavy.
ReplyDeleteYes, precisely, Aims - as I said to Charles in the comment above, the costumes looked so heavy, because they were so faithful in their construction. I was perspiring in the basement in a T-shirt. The performers must have been worse off in the heat.
ReplyDeleteEddie, your sister was one step ahead of you! Great idea - and one I hadn't thought of.
ReplyDeleteLeslie, I'm so glad you liked the colours. The light down there wasn't really great - so I was lucky.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Fragrant Liar - the music was pretty good, too.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Betsy - I just needed to make sure it wouldn't upset anyone or infringe performance agreements if I took shots down there.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful shot! How was the music? Did they sing well?
ReplyDeleteJackie
http://josieandpeter.blogspot.com/
How fun to catch the eye of the security guard and for the guard to be enthusiastic to your photo work.
ReplyDeleteVery nice picture, rich in color and tradition.
Thanks, Jackie - I remember there was definitely music - but I cannot for the life of me recall if the characters were actually singing - or if they merely had speaking parts!
ReplyDeleteTechnoBabe, there were a few people (shoppers, etc) who had compact cameras, so the guards were very relaxed about the whole thing.
ReplyDelete