In Lockdown Mode

Forgive Him, He's A Bit Rusty

Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON

Sometimes you see the most ordinary of sights and you reach immediately for your camera. This was one of those days. I was with Mrs Authorblog and the Authorbloglets at world-renowned Bondi Beach in Sydney over the Easter weekend this year. I was surrounded by endless sand, a beautiful crescent beach, and a great sky.

But what did I photograph first? A rusty bolt and lock. Yep, that's a fact.

I'm guessing this was once used as a storage area on the way from the car park to the beach. But, judging by the state of the rotten timber, the big hole and the orange coating of rust on the metal, whatever's in there behind the lock hasn't been used in a while.

But I'm glad it's locked. Why am I glad about something so utterly incongruous? Because if it was worth protecting years ago, it probably is worth protecting still. And doesn't that apply to all areas of life?


Visit TNChick's Photo Hunt. Today's theme: "Lock''.

Beach Buoys

This Is The Doorway To Surf Heaven

Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON

Last month while we were at Bondi beach in Sydney, I took several shots of the world-famous crescent of sand and surf when I decided to try and find a shot that was, well, different. I wanted an image that captured not just the timelessness of Bondi, but also something that anchored the scene sufficiently.

Time was tight, but I wanted to shoot the beach from inside a building.

The street was maybe a two or three minute walk away, and I could easily have taken a shot from there, looking towards the water, using my 300mm lens. Instead, on a whim, I walked over to the Bondi Pavilion, which houses the change rooms, ice cream parlour and snack bars.

Beside the lockers, I found exactly what I was looking for – an old-style doorway. Not only was I able to get the shot with my 18-125mm lens, I also had the added bonus of the glass arch above the actual door. The segmented view through the colonial-era archway adds just that little bit extra to the image.

So what we have here is a twenty-first century tourist attraction, seen through the craftsmanship of the nineteenth century. Yep, that’s a handy result.

Just one last observation. Have a look at the shot below, of the Pavilion. I didn't just shoot this because of the combination of parallel lines, horizontal references, lattice-like effect on the panes of glass and the contrast of the multiple arches. There was another reason, as I'll explain .....

Do you notice the interesting similarity between the angle of the sandwich board and the angle of the legs of the person in the light shirt? Okay, so it's not perfect, but I had to take the shot before he moved.


For earlier posts in this series, check out The Doors Archive.

Dry Humour

Surfers Never Throw In The Towel

Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON

Warm afternoon. Perfect autumn weather. Low cloud. Plenty of sunshine. One of the world's most famous beaches. Surf's good, without being spectacular. That's every surfer's late-autumn prayer, isn't it?

We were just leaving Bondi Beach in Sydney, walking through the main car park to our vehicle, when I saw this. You've got to give this person a big thumbs-up for clear thinking.

He or she had obviously finished surfing for the day (evidence: surfboard strapped to the roof rack) and had decided to go in search of something to eat or drink.

No point leaving a wet towel on the back seat, is there? So it's been draped carefully through the rear passenger door and then the car's been locked.


For earlier posts in this series, check out The Doors Archive.

Bin There, Done That

Painted Figures Guard This Doorway

Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON

While the Authorblog clan kicked up our collective heels in Sydney last week, we took the time to visit Bondi beach with friends. And just to prove that a camera is a perfect accessory to any sartorial tastes, yes, I had my Pentax slung around my neck while we re-acquainted ourselves with the perfect sand and shoreline.

This doorway must have once been a storage area. It is recessed into a concrete wall that is the last manmade structure before your feet kiss the endless sand on the crescent-shaped beach. I was really interested in the expressions on the faces of the two painted sprites that seemed to be tasked with guarding the doorway.

The green object with a red lid is a garbage bin (or a "trash can", depending on which part of the world you live in) . It is one of many in the vicinity, ensuring that no rubbish gets onto the sand or into the water.

Just before I walked away, I shot a second frame to include a second garbage bin (the colour-coded lids dictate what sort of garbage, be it rubbish or recycling objects, goes into each).

If you look closely at the frame below, you'll see evidence that there is a set of steps leading to the main car park. Let me know if you spotted the railing and the person walking up the stairs, or if your eye was drawn to the second bin instead.


For earlier posts in this series, check out The Doors Archive.