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A Ferry-Tale Ending

Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON

Sometimes you get thrown a curve ball and it turns out to be an unexpected bonus, rather than a hindrance. During our trip to Sydney a few days ago, I was with the Authorbloglets and close friends on the ferry from Milsons Point to Circular Quay.

It was dusk. The light was fading fast on a cloudy evening. I had my camera around my neck, but the ferry was very crowded with locals and Easter tourists and we had to take separate, far-flung seats under cover. I was in the middle of the main deck, with three or four people on my left.

In addition, there were others standing outside to get a better view of the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House.

Just before the ferry docked, I could see the distinctive shape of the Opera House through the rectangular ferry porthole. Half-heartedly, I removed my lens cap and picked up my Pentax. Always on the lookout for an unusual perspective on a familiar sight, I realised I could shoot one aspect of the Opera House through the window frame of the ferry.

I lined up the shot, knowing the Opera House would slide out of view in about fifteen seconds. As I adjusted the focus ring, a woman sitting a couple of seats away suddenly leaned forward to speak to a friend.

With her head in the bottom-left quadrant of my frame, she obscured almost a quarter of my view. I hesitated for a split second. Then I hit the shutter anyway. Had I waited for her to move back out of the way, it would have still been an interesting rendition of the great Australian landmark through the thick glass of the porthole.

But by recognising the fact that this was a great opportunity, I was able to capture a frame that is not perfect, but one that certainly is a highly unusual view of a familiar and often-photographed symbol of the country I live in.

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