Rooster Booster

It’s Beginning To Dawn On Us All

Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON

If you can remember the last time you saw a weather vane, please let me know. No, seriously, just leave me a comment and tell me – I’d love to know, because symbols like these just aren’t as common as they used to be.

This shot was taken a year and a half ago and I recently came across it while I was looking for a different image. I was at the Royal Melbourne Show with Mrs Authorblog and the Authorbloglets when I spotted this beautiful weather vane with a cockerel atop the four points of the compass.

Unfortunately, it was not in the best position for a meaningful photograph, so I squeezed myself into a tight corner (the things we do for our art, hey?) to try and compose the best possible frame of the rooster alongside another familiar sight from the Show – the giant ferris wheel.

In retrospect, it’s interesting to reflect on this shot and the fact that it depicts not one but two symbols of international culture, irrespective of race, nationality, geography or religion.

And of course, you all remember the famous Carly Simon hit that honoured the age-old weather vane, don’t you? It was called "You’re So Vane"!

Check out the rules at Camera Critters or go to Misty Dawn.

Ticket To Ride

Getting There, In A Roundabout Way

Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON

This first photograph didn't fool you for one moment. Right? You knew immediately that I was shooting a ferris wheel, didn't you? These were taken at Birrarung Marr, here in Melbourne.


Sometimes you just have to make use of a hazy sky by shooting the tightest frames you possibly can. It helps if you have a 70-300mm lens, just like the one I used for these shots, taken about a fortnight ago.


Having a long lens means you can compose some interesting frames, even when you're shooting from almost a kilometre away.


And it means you can use hanging fronds of palm trees (above) in soft focus in the foreground, while keeping your main subject in clear view. On the other hand, you can wait for winter (below) and use bare trees as a stark counterpoint.


It's not crucial, however, to have a long lens. I shot these images of the same ferris wheel almost two years ago, on a cold, grey Mebourne winter morning - with a normal lens.


More often than not, a grey sky might seem unfriendly, but it is a great opportunity to utilise unusual angles or aspects to emphasise your subject.


Never be afraid to get close to your subject. And then, when you think you are close enough, you can always shuffle forward to get a few steps closer. Work the angles - you'll enjoy the results.

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

You're So Vane

Do I Look Like I'm Crowing?

Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON

I guess it's not every day you get the chance to photograph a weather vane. I spotted this one last weekend and had to wait for the breeze to swing slightly, because I wanted to try and get the weather vane in the same frame as the giant ferris wheel. Believe me when I say I had to work like a contortionist to get the right angle. Hmmmm, it reminds me of the old joke about the two red blood corpuscles - they loved in vein!