A Is For Angel

This Melbourne Landmark Is Larger Than Life

Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON

So, did you spot the angel in the photograph above? No, don't look in the sky. The large sculpture by the riverside is called "The Angel". One of Deborah Halpern's signature pieces of art, it was commissioned 22 years ago, in 1987, for Australia’s Bicentennial celebrations the following year.

This sequence of images was shot exactly two years ago, on an icy cold Melbourne winter day. And just in case you're looking at the image above and thinking the trees don't look like our normal Aussie gum trees, you're dead right. They're actually English elms, planted all along the Yarra River by the early settlers.


I was standing at the area of parkland known as Birrarung Marr, photographing Deborah Halpern's masterpiece when I realised that if I stood under the 30-foot tall (almost 10 metres) work of art , I could actually use its shape as a triangular frame for the cityscape.

Angel's first home was actually the south moat of the nearby National Gallery Victoria, or NGV, but it was moved in 2006 to its present spot at Birrarung Marr.

This shot (above) was taken under the work of art, looking directly across the river. A few second after I took that frame, I wondered if I would somehow be able to find an angle where I could actually photograph Princes Bridge.

The short answer was yes. As you can see from the image below, I was able to compose an asymmetrical shot to include not only all three spans of the prominent bridge, but even the surface of the Yarra, as well as the towering Rialto. It used to be Melbourne's tallest building until Eureka Tower (visible in the second frame) took that distinction when it opened in 2006.


For the home of ABC Wednesday, go to Mrs Nesbitt's Place.

Ticket To Ride

Getting There, In A Roundabout Way

Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON

This first photograph didn't fool you for one moment. Right? You knew immediately that I was shooting a ferris wheel, didn't you? These were taken at Birrarung Marr, here in Melbourne.


Sometimes you just have to make use of a hazy sky by shooting the tightest frames you possibly can. It helps if you have a 70-300mm lens, just like the one I used for these shots, taken about a fortnight ago.


Having a long lens means you can compose some interesting frames, even when you're shooting from almost a kilometre away.


And it means you can use hanging fronds of palm trees (above) in soft focus in the foreground, while keeping your main subject in clear view. On the other hand, you can wait for winter (below) and use bare trees as a stark counterpoint.


It's not crucial, however, to have a long lens. I shot these images of the same ferris wheel almost two years ago, on a cold, grey Mebourne winter morning - with a normal lens.


More often than not, a grey sky might seem unfriendly, but it is a great opportunity to utilise unusual angles or aspects to emphasise your subject.


Never be afraid to get close to your subject. And then, when you think you are close enough, you can always shuffle forward to get a few steps closer. Work the angles - you'll enjoy the results.

For other participants in Dot’s concept, go to Sky Watch HQ.

Slide Advantage

You're Now Entering The Red Zone

Playground, Birrarung Marr, Melbourne. Copyright: DAVID McMAHON

Tickle Me Elm, Oh

Examine This Angle With Great Care

Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON

Okey-dokey, so I can read your mind. believe me. Let me prove it. You're thinking, ``Dave's finally flipped. The Australian winter has got to him and he's posted this photograph the wrong way round.''

Come on, 'fess up. You were so thinking that, weren't you? But the human mind, wonderful computer that it is, just happens to be hard-wired to conditioned responses. So when we see a tree at an impossible angle, we think it should be vertical and not horizontal.

Let me assure you, this is the right way around. Look at the cloud. See, told ya. I deliberately took this shot down by Birrarung Marr on the north bank of the Yarra River, between Federation Square and the sports precinct here in Melbourne.

Now here's a bit of history - this is one of several historic elm trees, planted by the first settlers who were homesick for reminders of the Old Country. So it's been around a lot longer than I have!

FOOTNOTE: Remember the Aussie supermodel, Elm Macpherson?