Star Turn

It's Christmas Time In The City

Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON

I was walking down Flinders Street with my family on Tuesday, soaking up the Christmas atmosphere in the city, when I took this shot. We had just walked out of a multi-level car park when I spotted the delicate colour of the sky. It was about 8.30 at night and the sun had already set, leaving a beautiful summery dusk glow.

We were walking towards Flinders Street Station and I hastened my pace marginally, because I could see that the sky would be fairly dark in less than five minutes. I wanted to shoot the silhouette of the station's main dome and one of the minaret-like towers against the sky.

When I decided the combination of sky and silhouette was just right, I realised I was fairly close to a typical Melbourne Christmas decoration - rows of giant silver stars strung across the streets. I only shot one frame, simply because the all-round balance was as close to ideal as I could have got that evening.

I'd just like to emphasise that I did not plan this shot. I just happened to be walking down the street at exactly the right time. Ten minutes earlier or later and the shot would not have had the same effect.

But that evening, it was the ideal Christmas image - a summer sunset, an Eastern-influence minaret and man-made stars against a pastel sky.

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

Sesame Treat

Muppets Need Creature Comforts Too

Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON

About ten days ago, I was walking past Federation Square when I noticed this Sesame Street jumping castle (is that what you call them in Europe, Canada and the US?) on the edge of the square.

I figured it would be perfect for an unusual interpretation of the Camera Critters Theme, but I had to find something to "anchor" the scene, some way of making it apparent that it was shot here in Melbourne.

I didn’t have to spend too long thinking about the angle I needed. The main dome of Flinders Street Station is one of the most recognisable symbols of Melbourne, so I thought it would be fun to include it in the same shot as Elmo and Grover.

You see the sign on the jumping castle that says "Sesame Street"? Our street signs here in Melbourne are white letters on green backgrounds and I thought it would be great to get a Flinders Street sign in the frame with the iconic Sesame Street sign. But nope, the signs were just too far apart.

Yes, there are some things an intrepid photographer just cannot do! Having taken this shot, I figured it was time to make my way dome, er, home.

Check out the rules at Camera Critters or go to Misty Dawn.