All Roads Lead To Chrome

I Think We're On A Roll

Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON

It’s not every day you get to drive – or photograph – one of these. Recognise the workmanship? It’s a Rolls-Royce Phantom - and yes, those are the doors of the luxury car.

About a year and a half ago, I shot this as I was given special permission to photograph not one but two Rolls-Royces in a showroom and you can see some of the shots at Phantom Menace and Opera Of The Phantom.

I guess I spent about twenty minutes there, photographing the cars from every conceivable angle. So I thought this solitary frame would be ideal for today’s theme. The object in soft focus in the foreground is the wing mirror, while the sleek chrome door handles are in sharp focus in mid-frame.

Yes, I was given permission to shoot the pristine engine bay under the hood and yes, I did open the doors (reverently) to get in and take some shots of the interior.

But no, I didn’t drive it. Why? Because I was wearing a T-shirt and faded jeans. That would have been heresy.

For earlier posts in this series, check out The Doors Archive.

Shift Of Focus

I'd Like To Give You The Whole Picture

Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON

I guess these two photographs are very significant because they say so much about the way I look at life. We usually have just one focal point, don't we? We look at people, at objects, at scenes, at situations - and we make snap judgements based on first observations. Do we take in every salient feature? Do we consider every aspect? Not always, I guess. I shot these two frames a few weeks ago - but they are a clear indication of my message.

The first shot (above) is focused solely on the gleaming chrome of a vehicle's exhaust stack. It is the only thing in sharp focus and everything else is a blur. But I reversed the focus for the second shot (below). The chrome is in soft focus and the background can be seen in sharp detail. Maybe it's just the way I am. I like to take a step back and consider as many aspects as possible before I make a value judgement. Let me know what you think ...

Number Cruncher

Hand It To Me On A Plate

Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON

Sometimes my attention is caught by the smallest of details. Like this number plate (above) for instance. I wonder if these were the owner's initials or if he/she really was a Very Important Person. And just as I was uploading the picture, I remembered one that I shot back in 1999, with a little Instamatic. I shot it not just because of the colours of the Alaskan plate, but because of the raindrops on the chrome and the words ``850 lbs torque load maximum''.