Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHONWe've just come back from the Royal Melbourne Show, which is the biggest fair of the year and runs for ten days. It was originally a yearly display for the Royal Agricultural Society and still retains its original flavour, but the fairground is now the big attraction for the younger patrons. As you can see, lifesize Spider-Man figures were the hot prizes this year. This shot (above) was taken in a split-second, as the guy walked past.
And I couldn't resist this shot (above) of a woman carrying Spider-Man in rather ignominious fashion, as if he were an oversized Gucci bag. I had to run for this shot, and it was taken using my 125mm lens through a crowd. It took me about three attempts, because with thousands of people at the show, someone always seemed to be walking into the frame.
When I lined up this photograph (above) I was actually concentrating on the upside-down Spider-Man figures. I shot one frame, with total tunnel vision. Then I saw something move behind the figures. And with a laugh I realised that there were "real live" people behind the Spider-Man figures. Look carefully and you'll see two stall attendants (one in a clearly visible "Crew" jumper and her blonde companion in a white jumper) obviously having a well-deserved rest.
The long-awaited Stan Lee action figure. Image: HASBRO