Anyone Seen The Three Wise Men?
Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON
I shot this frame in late September last year. I had just got the Pentax, my first digital SLR, and I was walking around the city getting accustomed to it. I liked the camera immediately, because of its wonderful balance - and I've probably shot thousands of frames on it in three different countries since then.
This shot was taken looking across Federation Square. I have photographed the spires of St Paul's Cathedral several times, but this time the silhouette was a really arresting sight. It looks like dusk but have a look at the position of the sun and you'll see it was actually mid-afternoon. The angle of the sun allowed me a striking composition and the overhead wires with the subtle lighting of the Square gave me an unusual criss-cross pattern against a clear sky.
How many frames did I shoot of this scene? Just one. That wasn't arrogance, either. Just satisfaction. I knew I had the best shot of the day. And you know the really uncanny thing? When I shot this, I didn't realise how symbolic it was. I guess it could be a Christmas card.
Shhhhhh ..... if we're very quiet, we might be able to hear or see the shepherds as they watch their flocks.
31 comments:
Hi David
Nice Skywatch, the silhouette of the buildings looks great.
Love this picture. Hey, I mentioned you with a link to your blog in my post today. Hope that's OK, but I wanted others to experience the visual and intellectual treat to be found at your blog!
That is a really great picture. You have a good eye.
Nice post and a beautiful picture. You made Sky Watch Mamma very proud! LOL
Wow...what a unique shot!
If you're looking for three wise men, you better skip searching in America.
that really is great.
Hi there David, great shot of the skyline - thanks for sharing. Santa better watch out when he comes in for landing!
Yep, such a great shot.
I listened and heard the cows coming down from the mountains in Austria with their bells ringing lol.
The story continues in my blog.
Hey David, thanks for popping my blog and I was only joking about leaving the blosphere!
I love this Christmasy photo.
In England it is wet and windy, chuck us up some sun my friend!
Hmmm... you shouldn't have used the flash, Mate. There's a big reflection high in the middle of the photograph. (lol)
Smog in Melbourne? Oh, my. But it sure was a good event that day. At least for that terrific photo.
Great sky watch. Very unique.
Hi David,
Thank you so much for dropping by and sending me some warm thoughts as I shiver in PA. The picture is beautiful and I think I hear the shepherds...
Love,
Julie
"Shhhhhh ..... if we're very quiet, we might be able to hear or see the shepherds as they watch their flocks."
...or smell them. :)
Yu won't be abol to HEAR the shepherds watch their flocks, not less they are showtin "Oi! Stop that baaarrin! I'm tryin to get sum kip heer!"
or maybe hummin a tewn wile they wash they're soks.... an if the soks ar enything like my Dad's the sheep will soon be comatose...
I think the things on those lines look like bats, jus havin a hang arownd an maykin a contempry art installayshun, like the wun Phytheas went to see yesterday...
:@}
Hello David,
I am Colleen Maloney's mother and I just wanted to say hi and thank you for looking in and commenting on her site. Now that I know how to locate your writings, I'm looking forward to reading your "stuff". I would love to read Veggie Vindaloo! Is it published in the US? I happen to be a fan of Indian stories or history. I was an Asian History major in college, and studied Indian art one semester. I was so sorry never to have gotten the chance to visit the country during any of our leaves. The closest I ever got was a stop over in Bombay but we weren't allowed to deplane.
Until next time, Carol
wow!a great capture indeed
i love photogtaphing sky too.
but this, is just so solemn.
Wonderful photo!
I just love to capture these serendipitous moments.
Hey that is a brag-worthy shot espcially when looking at it with the thoughts of The Savior!! NICE!
Ahhhhhhhhh Christmas! Love the reference!
Denise
Very neat shot!
Happy Skywatch Friday!
Hello,
A wonderful photo.
great photo i also love the silhouette
This is awesome David! You've outdone yourself (again) with this one! It's fantastic.
Love it! :)
Yes, it would make a beautiful Christmas card. . . usually wires get in the way of a photo shoot but these add to yours! Come and see my humble cloud airplane. . .
Hey David, great shot.
Just wondering, did you use a filter for this or is it a straight capture?
Yeah, they overdo it all around the world, don't they?
But it is a very pretty shot. The sky with that deeper shade of blue is always a great sight.
that is really great. the criss croos wires add so much perspective to it too, and in the context of Christmas, could almost be man-made decorations eclipsed by the guiding light!
PS that's one of the things I really love about digital, being able to shoot straight at the sun. If you were using a film camera you would have burned your retina to bits. Someone I know here has a permanent blind spot from photographing a sunset as a youngster!
Post a Comment