Friday, May 22, 2009

A Touch Of Silver

Clouds Cloak A Goulburn Roof With Magic

Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON


Sometimes mundane sights are rendered, by Nature, into beautiful settings that only last a few minutes. Thus, a simple tin roof takes on the fleeting look of corrugated silver.

I shot this through the window of my vehicle as I sat in a parking bay in Goulburn, in country New South Wales. To my mind, the scene looked like a painted stage backdrop, solely because of the cloud cover and the quality of the afternoon sun.

I sat there for a few seconds, wondering whether it was worth the effort of getting out, opening the boot/ trunk and rummaging for my camera among the many bags that were packed in there. The simple answer was yes. Of course it was worth it.

Because I spent my teenage years in a wonderful boarding school in the Himalayas, I spent a lot of contemplative time observing the subtle changes of light across some of the most stunning landscapes you could ever hope to see. In this case, I knew that the quality of light would change fairly quickly.

Four days later, we were back in Goulburn as we drove home from Sydney to Melbourne. I parked in exactly the same spot to assess the view from precisely the same angle. This time, it was just a plain tin roof under a sky that did not have any of the silvery magic from the previous visit.

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

43 comments:

Daryl said...

Skies, clouds, light .. oh so fickle!

LOL .. word verification: lampit

Jazz said...

Oh yeah, it was definitely worth it. Thanks for getting out of the car.

Eddie Bluelights said...

Glad you were able to throw some decent light on it!
Great shot, David

Kim said...

I'd be interested to hear more about your childhood - boarding school in the Himalayas. Great photos as usual!

Loran said...

Oh yes, light changes very quickly and that magical shot can disappear in an instant. Glad you caught it.

Rosaria Williams said...

You spent your formative years in a contemplative mode? You see things most people miss.

Grace Albaugh said...

I had a dream about photographing the sky the other night. I was trying to get my camera to shoot a beautiful sunset and by the time I had it ready there was only a trace of pale orange and yellow left. Even though it wasn't the intense color I wanted to capture, it's subtle hues were almost more striking. It's the first dream I ever remember having about photographing anything.

Sky pictures are always great. Each one unique.

NG said...

woww...u did ur schooling in the Himalayas ...u r one lucky man!!!

Sylvia K said...

Beautiful, creative shot as always, David! It's funny how those strange clouds, unusual lighting can come and go so quickly! I had one of those quickly changing moments this week, too! Happy SSS! Have a great weekend!

Anonymous said...

This looks very similar to a backdrop we painted for the musical Oklahoma!.... LOL! Very beautiful and what a wonderful catch with the lens!

Maggie May said...

Things alter by the minute. You seem to pick the right minute....... always!

Cheffie-Mom said...

The clouds are wonderful. Great job!

Jeannette StG said...

Love this pic!
Lucky you for growing up with a view to the Himalayas! Hope to see that sometime:)

Anonymous said...

I'm envious, David. Over year the clouds are just permanently grey!

Anonymous said...

Wonderful that even mundane things can have their moment of glory :) The clouds are beautiful the way they're light up.

Bee said...

I'm so glad that you captured that fleeting moment.

Tonight we were walking through a field of buttercups as the sun was setting and it was just as golden (and fleeting) as your beautiful silver . . . but, sadly, not "fixed" in photographic memory.

Unknown said...

Beautiful! These remind me of clouds I would see just after a quick passing thunderstorm in Savannah GA!

Jo's-D-Eyes said...

wow David great silvertouch

happy weekend+SW from JoAnn

Merisi said...

Your tale made me smile and your pictures are always worthy of the effort you put into capturing them!
Thank you! :-)

Janie said...

It is amazing how the quality, quantity and angle of light can transform a view. Great shot. Definitely worth the effort.

Sharon Rose said...

Thanks for those silver linings! Beautiful shot!

Laura Jane Williams said...

It WAS worth the effort! It so was! I love how you compare it to like a backdrop, it made me think of the set in a theatre. Like the action of life was just waiting to happen in front of it. Or rather, I suppose, underneath it.

Lovely.

Nan Sheppard said...

Boarding School in the Himalayas?? It's the first time I've heard anyone use the words "wonderful" and "boarding school" in the same sentence.

Kelly H-Y said...

That's a beautiful shot ... it almost doesn't even look real! Gorgeous!

Thumbelina said...

Always such thought provoking shots and commentary, making me look at how I compose shots, why, when....

Great shot.

Rikkij said...

David-yes, it's always worth it. Nice shots. Still musing on boarding school in himalayas. Must be a story or two there. Thanks for stopping by my place. It's appreciated. ~Rick

alicesg said...

Lovely skywatch photo. It looked like a storm coming with those dark clouds.

Gennasus said...

That really is a lovely silvery light.

As for boarding school in the Himalayas.....sounds brilliant.

Annie said...

Good shot David...it is a good feeling to be in the right spot at the right time...I can't believe though that your camera would have been packed away! I get uncomfortable if mine isn't easily accessible at all times!

Unknown said...

Good shot!You sooo make me want to visit Australia!

ArtistUnplugged said...

Beautiful shot, glad you stopped to get it.

Jim said...

I like it.
Sydney - City and Suburbs

Willa said...

i love it!

Linnea said...

Remarkable sky. I love the layering of the silvery clouds...precious looking!

Shadow said...

our house overlooks the neighbours sink roof and in the dead of a winters night, with dew and moonlight, i can almost see the non-existent snow that covers their roof

Tara R. said...

I love these sorts of serendipitous photos. I try to have my camera in the car all the time too just for these kind of shots. Great capture.

Dave Coulter said...

Like hammered pewter....really lovely!

VioletSky said...

Precisely why I keep mycamera in the glove compartment, within easy reach. You never know how fickle the light will be.

erin said...

just a hint of sparkle to the roof...the light, the clouds...all worked their magic.

have a lovely weekend.

2sweetnsaxy said...

Great skywatch shot! :-)

Unknown said...

Great sky shot and posting, David.

Sarah Laurence said...

Thoroughly magical!

cheatymoon said...

Love that sky. Thanks for stopping by.