Off to the Michael B(a)uble concert

Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON (Image ID: 120-1234)

No, I wasn't using a fisheye lens - but by concentrating on this bauble, high up on a five-metre Christmas tree, I have managed to acquire a fisheye effect of everything above and behind me. What you see here is a very low-res image, so if you want to see the original full-size file, just click here to view it on my Red Bubble site.

This unusual Yuletide image was shot in Melbourne last November. These giant Christmas trees are on display in a public area and in order to shoot this bauble placed so high on the tree, I had to use my 300mm lens at full stretch!

Verse and worse

Mrs McClusky had a pet husky

That could play the piano while using a bus key

But as we discovered, on grand concert night

Its Bach was definitely worse than its bite

You can't drive THIS Chrysler

Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON (Image ID: USA2010-30June-9305)

As most of you would know, my continual quest is to find fresh, unusual angles of familiar landmarks. Along with Mrs Authorblog and the Authorbloglets, we were walking towards Grand Central Station in New York City in June this year - and of course, I was lagging because I was taking quick shots of the skyline while we walked.

Then we stopped for the lights at the corner of Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street and, as I always do, I did a quick scan on all four points of the compass, then I looked directly up. There, above me, was the shot I wanted. I shot the Chrysler Building's distinctive Art Deco shape through the street lights above me.

This is simply a low-resolution image, but if you want to see the original in full resolution on my Red Bubble site, just click here and I hope you enjoy what you see.

Verse and worse

I have this friend called Malcolm

Who has blind faith in talcum

Instead of tucking in to chowder

He's out buyin' stocks in powder

How does your garden grow?

Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON (Image ID: 131-6568)

Judging by the state of these window boxes in the bright sunlight, the first-floor garden is thriving, thanks very much. This was shot on Lygon Street, the place that is home to Melbourne's unique cafe culture. It doesn't matter what sort of cuisine you're looking for, this is where you'll find it, day or night.

It was a warm afternoon, and the summery colours of this restaurant's facade really dictated that I had to stop to take a shot or two. The orange trellis work was central to what I wanted to depict, and if you look carefully, you'll see that the angle I chose actually meant I had to include the awning in the frame - but that I had to ensure it did not dominate any aspect of the shot!

Verse and worse

If all your cables

Have "Top Secret" labels

Just wait for the geeks

To read WikiLeaks

Welcome to the new millennium

Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON (Image ID: Malaysia2010-4249)

Sometimes the most minor factors can lead you to an unusual composition. In Kuala Lumpur in January this year, we had walked past the Grand Millennium Hotel three or four times, but suddenly the hotel facade took on a whole new look late one afternoon.

The reflection on the glass exterior took on a golden hue in some parts, but the presence of a small cloud directly above the hotel drew me to shoot a tight frame, emphasising the triangle created by the blue sky above the hotel. I guess it all depends on what you "see" ...

Verse and worse

So complex was the nature of the ecclesiastical riddle

That it completely flummoxed old Archbishop Siddle

He consulted the scripts and staked out the priory

His mood was somber but his language quite fiery

Farewell to November's last light

Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON (Image ID: 132-8790)

It was the last day of spring, and the post-sunset sky show was brief but memorable. A range of colours rolled across the landscape as the last light of November began to fade away in spectacular fashion.

It's been a wet spring and we're being told the showers will continue pretty much through December. But for a country that's been in drought for eight years, that is the best news ever. Bring on those showers!

Verse and worse

A would-be accountant named Jonathan Ryan

Failed every exam (but he had fun tryin’)

He told us all he was useless at addition

But next thing we knew, he’d been charged with sedition

We're so glassy-eyed this morning

Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON (Image ID: Malaysia2010-3527)

This was a tough shot to take, despite the fact that it looks easy when presented this way. It was taken indoors in a Kuala Lumpur shopping mall in January this year. I spotted these unusual mannequins and while the lighting wasn't great, I wondered if it would be sufficient to present all four mannequins in a row.

You have to remember, too, that I never use a tripod! With people streaming past constantly in both directions, I had to consider my options before deciding how best to use the unique "heads". I also figured that the dark dresses and the black-themed interior of the shop would be the best contrast for the glassy droids.

Verse and worse

Jack fell down and broke his crown

And Jill came tumbling after

The lawyer’s face revealed a frown

As he sued for a broken rafter

So they roped you in as well?

Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON (Image ID: Sydney2010-7235)

It's not your normal view of a retired naval cruiser, but who wants a normal view for any photographic image? I stopped to admire the symmetry of the vessel's graceful bow, accentuated by the curvature of the number 11 on either side.

Really the only thing that was not symmetrical was the jetty rope - but that didn't worry me. This was shot at the Australian Maritime Museum in Sydney.