Friday, June 27, 2008

Homage To Heavenly Bodies

Yes, I Really Am A Morning Person

Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON




It's not every day that you get an opportunity like this, with the waning moon on your right and the dawning sun on your left. I shot these frames last week. My attention was first caught by the moon, sitting regally above a scattered band of cloud in the west.

It was a really interesting sky and the effect is double the value when you look at the surface of the river, with the gentle variations of blue mingling with the dark shadows under the bridge. Looking beyond the office buildings, some in shadow and some bathed in light, you can even see the construction work in the Docklands area.

This second shot (below) was taken a few seconds later. Looking to the other side of the bridge, the rising sun was reflected in the windows of the Victorian Arts Centre, rendering it as a golden fireball and casting some warmth across the winter morning.


There are plane trees planted all along Southbank and it's been a few weeks since they dropped their huge maple-like leaves. Less than two minutes after I shot the frame of the moon, I was able to use the bare branches of this plane tree to emphasise the beautiful hues of the sky. I angled the shot really carefully, to get about five trees into the shot, all of them looking like a row of stark, silent sentinels.


I was about to walk away when I figured I could go right up close to the nearest tree and use not just its branches but also utilise its trunk as well to provide an interesting - but not overwhelming - effect across the shot.


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

55 comments:

Nessa said...

These are all beautiful. I especially like the first one because it is so moody, almost noire.

I like the last one because I see werewolves peeking around the trunk of the tree.

Louise said...

You captured fire on film. All very nice. The first with moon and sunrise, however, is especially wonderful

Charles Gramlich said...

the light through the trees is very nice.

Gretchen said...

Really incredible photos.

Jennifer S said...

David, you've wowed me once again.

Lucky for us, that you're a morning person.

The photos of the trees are beautiful, and I especially love the last one.

Sandi McBride said...

How extraordinary...lovely shots you were lucky to get? Or do they just set themselves up waiting for you to pass by?
Sandi

Tess Kincaid said...

Ummm, is the Victoria Arts Center where the operas are performed?

maryt/theteach said...

David, I don't have my Skywatch up yet but your photos caught my eye! They are wonderful and yes, well thought out. That's what makes a professional photographer, I think! :)

Georgina said...

Beautiful photos. I always feel very privileged at six in the morning and ten at night when I see the beautiful sunrises and sunsets here. I should buy a decent camera perhaps. Debs x

Cape Cod Washashore said...

Stunning compositions, David! (Did I mention "National Geographic" before? heehee) =)

Anonymous said...

The clouds, trees and light are mixed just about right. Nice work.

I am now taking a 10 day dose of steroids for my Rheumatoid Arthritis pain and it works. I am free of pain. For now and am taking a chance to see if I can visit the Sky Watch Bloggers and see what's up this week.

I am not participating in Sky Watch Friday just because I might not be able to make it around to all if the pain flairs up again and that would not be right for me.


I don't know if you like to read or not but if you do this place is amazing. Strand's bookstore in New York City. They have 18 miles of used books. Think about that—18 miles. I ordered three used books, got them and they are in excellent condition. http://www.strandbooks.com/app/www/p/home/.

I enjoyed seeing your blog post for Sky Watch Friday and I thought your photography was excellent.

Hilary said...

I love the golden moody colours of the first and last shots.. the last especially makes me want to wander through the fallen leaves.

Mom Knows Everything said...

Gorgeous pictures as always! The last is my favorite!

Kimberly Vanderhorst said...

Those are my favourite sort of mornings. Everything all glowy and mild. Beautiful shots, David.

imac said...

Another great post David .

come and see my display?

Anonymous said...

I'm back ...
Oh no, cried blog world ... he's back!

But guess what, I'm so happy. If I didn´t rejoin SWF I would never have the chance to see these great photos!

Unknown said...

very nice scenes!
My Sky Watch Friday post

Unknown said...

My good friend David,

I cannot express my joy when I saw your comment on my blog. It has been quite some time since I have been there. Right now my life is compounded with a lot of stuff that keeps me busy. I guess, my brain has been struggling to find my muse once again and write.

Dude, it was great to hear from you. It had always been a pleasure to have a pick of your mind.

I don't want to be melodramatic, but it is with sincerity that I say your simple comment made me smile. Made my day actually.

I hope all is well. I'd have to say that you are getting really good at pictures too. I hope to hear from you my friend. You will be sure to hear from me for my comeback post.

Cheers bro. I wish you the best day today.

Chris

bobbie said...

These are really great pictures. The final one with the tree is striking!

maryt/theteach said...

David, you may have already received this award but I have a very "special" award for you at my blog. :)

Pat - Arkansas said...

You have the eye of a true artist; you happen to use a camera rather than another medium. All these photos are stunning! Thank you, David. I'm very much enjoying these benefits of your being a morning person.

Sandpiper (Lin) said...

These are spectacular. In the first picture, I love the drama of clouds, the light and colors, and the moon is beautiful. The light shining off the building in the second is wonderful too. In the other pictures, the silhouettes of the tree and colors in the sky are perfect.

SandyCarlson said...

You've got some great mornings to get up to!

Cath said...

Fantastic shots. You really work hard at getting the right mood and effect. And you succeeded with this one totally. Brilliant post.

Pretty Life Online said...

Pretty one for SWF! Which reminds me the quote... "we all live under the same sky, but we don't all have the same horizon".... Mine's up too hope you can drop by. Happy Weekend!

Linda said...

They are all beautiful. That was a great capture.

Unknown said...

Awesome shots, David!
I love the second one.
Have a great weekend!

Woman in a Window said...

That first shot...wonderful.

becky aka theRAV said...

Wonderful as always. The last one reminds me of the sunset in Gone With the Wind. I like the fact that ou left the tree trunk in it. I like the starkness of the darkness.

holly said...

oh oh i absolutely love that last one. i really love love love tree shots.

Anonymous said...

I always schedule my trips around moon phases; and I too am a very early morning person. Even so, you've done very nice work capturing these views.

I especially like the last one--tremendous dynamic range and an excellent exposure. Great images!

Anonymous said...

Hi David, Since I am not a morning person, if it were not for your beautiful photo I would never have the chance to see a waning moon and rising sun. Thank you,

Anonymous said...

Love the silhouettes!

Texas Travelers said...

I really like the photos, especially the last.

Troy

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

David: Very nicely done with the differing Sky views.

just jamie said...

I absolutely adore the last shot. Perfection. You have such talents, truly.

Donna said...

It's So hard for me to wrap my mind around the fact that you're going into winter....Beautiful photos!! Thanks for the visit!!

Anonymous said...

Great captures of the skies. I enjoyed the one with the sun reflection over Victorian Arts Centre.
Have a blessed weekend David!!

alicesg said...

Very lovely sets of morning sunrise photos. Love the colours of the sky.

MamaGeek @ Works For Us said...

I, too, am a morning person. With the golden hour of photography - these beautiful shots confirm why!

marcia@joyismygoal said...

I am so partial to reflections but the framing w/ the trunkin the last one is awesome

Sam Fox said...

Gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous!

Have a great weekend!

Maggie May said...

Wonderful views! I love all of them.

Anonymous said...

and also a great photographer, i can say!!

Shionge said...

Very classic & beautiful I must say :D

Merisi said...

Dawn! You captured it.
Good night, moon!
Good morning, sun! :-)

Petunia said...

Nice post and shot. I'm certainly not a morning person - well I'm not a evening person either. I can not be easy to live with;)


Petunia's SWF

Daryl said...

I wasnt a morning person until I took this job ... now I am loving getting up with (and sometimes before) the sun ... these are just wonderful .. makes me want to come wake up over there!

:-Daryl

Kyanite said...

I haven't visited for a while but WHAT a welcome - lovely dawn shots!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful capture. The intensity of the sunlight on the building is striking.

Alan said...

Nice collection of SWF photos.

Craver Vii said...

The strong sunlight plus the moon. That makes for a splendid combination.

Anonymous said...

These are beautiful, moody photos. Nice work.

Dancin Fool said...

Just glorious. A morning I would like to have seen. Have a great weekend!

AnneKa said...

Great photos for sky watch!