Knots Landing

Welcome To Tie Land

Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON

I guess not many of us look this closely at a tie. I certainly don't even look this closely when I'm choosing them in a shop. I'm told that when I was a kid I enjoyed wearing a tie now and then - and let's not go into the number of family photographs that show me wearing one in my early years.

Then of course I went to boarding school at St Joseph's College in Darjeeling - and we wore ties every day. On Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday we wore dark grey suits with our respective house ties (I was in Fallon house); on Wednesday and Saturday we wore blazers and light grey slacks with our school tie and on Sunday we wore dark blue suits with our school tie.

This shot was taken some months ago. I was just about to remove this tie when I thought I would do so with the knot intact, just to take a quick shot of the fabric.

I still wear ties every working day. But come the weekend and it's strictly Levi's and T-shirts for me.

(The Odd Shots concept came from Katney. Say "G'day" to her.)

The Cable Guy

Just Don't Get Your Wires Crossed

Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON

Walking down Elizabeth Street in the city some weeks ago, I spotted these cable coils on the back of a tradie's ute during a smoko. Okay, I'll stop and explain the Australian slang. A "tradie" is a tradesman. A "ute" is a utility vehicle, or a pickup to most of you. And a "smoko" is (you guessed it) a smoker's break.

The sight caught my eye because of the contrasting colours of the coils, the rusty metal visible and the fact that the neat coils are completely different sizes. Maybe he just wasn't sure whether to go wi-fi or install broadband or cable.

(The Odd Shots concept came from Katney. Say "G'day" to her.)

Beam Me Up, Scotty

It Ain't Star Trek, But It Sure Is Private Enterprise

Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON

Just before I stepped on a Qantas jet to Perth recently, for a family wedding, I received an interesting query from Baino. She wanted to know if I've ever been guilty of taking a lousy picture.

Yes, of course, Baino. There are some shots – not too many, thank goodness – where I think the result could have been a lot better.

But here’s the analytical reply to the question. I have never had second thoughts about composition, because I think that is instinctive. In other areas, yes, there are times when I definitely think I could have done better.

Occasionally I’ll look at a shot and think I could have produced a different result by trying a different shutter speed or selecting a different aperture.

For instance, I took this shot just before Christmas. I was in the city, in a hurry and the light was fading fast as it was close to nine o’clock at night. That’s when I spotted this bloke, looking like a cross between a Mercury astronaut and a Roswell alien. He was standing on an elevated platform, speaking through an amplified synthesiser and treating passers-by to some pretty interesting dance moves.

He was about fifty metres away from me, but since I was heading to the Bourke Street Mall, I crossed the street to get a bit closer. I fired off two quick shots without using my flash, but as you can see, I should have opted for a quicker shutter speed.

However, I never delete shots that are NQR (Not Quite Right). I leave them, like imperfect paintings, to remind myself that photography, like painting (one of my other major hobbies) is a constant learning curve.

You can always get better – and that is the bottom line for any form of creativity. In keeping with the theme of this bloke’s costume, never let improvement become an alien concept.

(The Odd Shots concept came from Katney. Say "G'day" to her.)

Number Cruncher

Happy Anniversary, Alaska (Love Your Colours)

Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON

It's not every day you get to visit a place like Alaska. When I went there for the first time in 1999, I never thought I'd be making another trip back there. It's been a huge privilege to visit the beautiful state, especially for someone like me from the Southern Hemisphere.

Since this is the first Odd Shot of the new year, I thought it would be very appropriate to salute the fiftieth anniversary of the state by publishing this photograph.

Enjoy the party, Alaska. Shall I come round and help you break the ice?

(The Odd Shots concept came from Katney. Say "G'day" to her.)

Off With His Head

Time To Shoulder The Responsibility

Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON

The more you carry a camera around, the more your brain starts to work through the viewfinder. So when I walked downriver at Southbank recently, I could see these two workers devoting their attention to the large outdoor carousel at Freshwater Place - but I only glanced at them and then flicked my gaze away to the myriad sights around me.

But as soon as I saw one of them climb a ladder and put his torso through an inspection hatch, I knew I had an unusual shot. I was still a long distance away from them, but I was lucky I had my 300 mm lens on the camera.

To me, the quality of the shot lies in simple body language. The very fact that the bloke's knees are flexed slightly and that his shoes are not entirely flat on the top rung of the ladder suggest that he is not perfectly balanced. Once you take that into account, you begin to understand why his colleague on the left has that open-mouthed look of concern.

It's the one time you wouldn't say to a bloke on a ladder, "Drop in any time".

(The Odd Shots concept came from Katney. Say "G'day" to her.)

Arrow Minded

So I Just Turn Right For Canada, Right?

Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON

Luckily I was in the passenger seat when we drove the Top Of The World Highway, from Dawson City in Canada, through Alaska and then back into Canada on our way to Beaver Creek. I had my cameras around my neck, ready to take shots of anything I spotted.

Then we came to a T-junction near the end of the trip (correct me if I'm wrong, but I think it was the only T-junction on the entire drive) and I figured this had to be one of the more unusual road signs I've ever seen.

(The Odd Shots concept came from Katney. Say "G'day" to her.)

As The Cog Crows

What Do You See In This Shot?

Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON

I'm curious, so I'd like to know what you first "saw" here. Did you see the circular, cog-like teeth in the foreground? Or was your eye drawn immediately to the centre of the frame, to the chrome pattern?

Or perhaps you initially noticed the two sets of strings, slightly left of centre and in the extreme right-hand segment of the shot?

Photography - like life - is all about perspective. This second shot, taken with a different focal length and providing a wider view of the subject, shows clearly that it is simply a set of three banjos.

Did you pick the subject immediately? Do let me know .....


(The Odd Shots concept came from Katney. Say "G'day" to her.)

High Tea

You Stringing Me Along, Mister?

Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON

Some kind soul had just refilled the bowl of tea bags at work when I walked past with my camera a couple of days ago. Naturally, I had to take the shot before I got back to my desk.

I grew up in a family where tea leaves were stirred into a teapot of boiling water and tea was poured through a strainer into china teacups. But I have to confess that I have always bought tea bags, simply for convenience.

About fifteen years ago, I interviewed a member of the famous Twinings family, well known for their range of fine tea and the company that was founded three centuries ago. At the start of the interview, I mentioned that I had been to a boarding school in Darjeeling, the Himalayan town famous for its mountain views and its tea gardens.

So at the end of the interview, he said he had a question for me. Fire away, I said.

He asked me how I drank my tea. He said he was confident I drank it black, the way tea is intended to be drunk by connoisseurs.

Er, no, I confessed, I actually stir some condensed milk into my cup of tea. Being British, he was remarkably restrained in his reaction. He just raised one eyebrow. I didn't have the heart to tell him I don't use "real" loose tea leaves either.

(The Odd Shots concept came from Katney. Say "G'day" to her.)

Oven Wilson, I Presume

Just Get A Grip, Will Ya?

Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON

This might look like the jaws of some mutant alligator with misplaced DNA, but it's actually a simple, everyday item. Recognise it? It's just a heavy-duty plastic oven mitt. All I've done is shoot it from an unusual angle, so the sight doesn't immediately ring a bell.

Look carefully at the surface of the inner grip itself and you'll see rows of tiny protrusions all along it. Remember what normal table tennis racquets looked like before Stiga and other hi-tech companies produced the thick, smooth sandwich surfaces? Once upon a time they were thin plastic (generally green or red) and covered with these pimple-like protruberances.

Just like the oven mitt here, I guess it was all about creating grip. And service with a smile.

(The Odd Shots concept came from Katney. Say "G'day" to her.)

Construction Sight

Mary Poppins Is Joining Us Today, Fellas

Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON

Sometimes you see an incongruous sight that just brings you to a dead halt. This shot was taken more than a year ago, during the middle stage of construction of the new Melbourne Recital Centre on the corner of Sturt Street here in South Melbourne.

I had just taken some shots from the roadside and I entered the site office to ask the supervisor if I could take some more photographs, when I noticed this red umbrella hanging from a hook beside the hard hats.

Now you know why we’re always encouraged to take the umbrella view.

(The Odd Shots concept came from Katney. Say "G'day" to her.)

Deja View

Never A Backward Glance

Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON

This was just a random shot taken a few days ago. I had my camera in my hand because I had been photographing a variety of flowers. I still hadn't put the lens cap on when I got into the car, so I fired off four frames at random and this was the best of them.

I chose this because the lens of the camera looks so clear and you can actually see a crisp image (in the lens) of what is 180 degrees behind me, with the sky and a couple of trees standing out, even in this low-resolution version of the original.

And because I've shot this straight into my rear-view mirror, you can see that the white writing on my camera lens has been reversed. But you noticed that, didn't you?

This is an interesting shot, because I never actually wear sunglasses when I have a camera in my hand - simply because I want to see the true light conditions exactly as they are. But I generally have my sunnies on when I drive (yes, they are a huge help because of the polarising effect in bad weather) so I must have just put them as I got into the driver's seat.

I'm guessing I must have put the Ray-Bans on and then turned my attention to the camera, to put the lens cap on and put the Pentax into the case. So this is probably a very rare shot - me with a camera in my hand - and taken while I have my sunnies on.

Finally, here's a question for you. I have only ever posted one photograph of myself on my blog where my face is fully visible - which probably makes me a bit like Wilson the faceless neighbour in the hit TV show Home Improvement. There have been a couple of shadow photos, two or three reflection shots, but only one on a blog post where you can see my head and shoulders.

Do you know which post contains the photo?

(The Odd Shots concept came from Katney. Say "G'day" to her.)

Bring Home The Baking

I Ain't Got Nuffin', Muffin

Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON

I was just about to put away this empty muffin tray a couple of mornings ago when I realised that the gentle light and soft shade across its coated non-stick surface was jut perfect.

Luckily I always have my camera close by, so I fired off a couple of frames. Next time you're in town, let me know and I'll bake some of my special chocolate-chip muffins. Be warned: once you've feasted on them, you'll have to come back for more.

And yes, the Authorbloglets endorse that claim. And their friends. And most important of all, so does Mrs Authorblog.

(The Odd Shots concept came from Katney. Say "G'day" to her.)

Shoot Happens

You Callin' Me A Son Of A Gun, Betty?

Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON

This shot was taken at Beaver Creek in the Yukon. I had actually woken up early to photograph the dawn colours on the mountains that stretch across the highway. Even before the snow started turning pink in the early morning rays, I walked around to take some shots of signage and other unusual sights.

The light wasn't the best when I took this shot, very early in the morning, but I simply had to take this shot. I didn't actually have the time to walk across to Buckshot Betty's, so maybe I'll leave that for the next time I travel to the Yukon.

I'm sure the unique name will trigger my memory.

(The Odd Shots concept came from Katney. Say "G'day" to her.)

Love Me, Love My Dog

Odds Are, This Is A Case Of Puppy Love

Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON

Sometimes a photograph says it all. I took this at Moose Creek in the Yukon in late August, while we were driving from Fox Creek to Dawson City. I spent about fifteen minutes walking around and taking photographs of a variety of subjects, including an old trapper's cottage.

Then, as I was walking back to the car, I saw this tongue-in-cheek sign. The interesting thing about the Canadian sense of humour is that it has the same distinctly laconic tone as Australian humour. I'm sure the two nations are related in more ways than one.

As for the dog who gets a mention on this signpost - at least he's got a woof over his head.

(The Odd Shots concept came from Katney. Say "G'day" to her.)

Pistol Packin' Mama

What On Earth Triggered This Sign?

Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON

After I'd had my passport stamped at the US border at Poker Creek, I asked permission to take a few photographs outside before we got back in our rental vehicle. This was the first shot I took.

Sorry, did I say "shot"? Consider that a Freudian slip. The only trigger I ever hit is the one on my trusty Pentax.

(The Odd Shots concept came from Katney. Say "G'day" to her.)

Kith And King

Which Way Now, Your Majesty?

Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON

The king was in his counting house, counting out his money. I saw this signpost, and thought it was quite funny. Okay, that's enough of the nursery rhymes, but you get the idea.

This shot was taken during a hike in Kluane National Park. No, there is no royal family there - this sign just points the way to two different hiking paths. Go left to King's Throne, or you can go right to Cottonwood.

Further up the track, I saw this other sign carved on the bark of a tree - and so I just had to get a shot of the message, while trying to include some of the vivid fall colour on the hillside.

There is another reason I took this shot. We had four Dutch hikers as our companions that day and I was able to point out to them that the "crown" symbol above the letter "I" actually looked exactly like the symbol in the corporate logo of KLM, the Dutch airline.

(The Odd Shots concept came from Katney. Say "G'day" to her.)

Handle Bard

Not Your Average Doorknob, Is It?

Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON

These shots were taken in Chicken, Alaska, a few days ago, as we traversed the Top Of The World Highway. The early afternoon light provided an interesting shadow against the wooden door of one of the washrooms.

Yup, that and the fact that the door handle isn't exactly one you could buy in a store.

And the handles were similar to those on the two facilities below - where the shadows they cast on the wood are strangely redolent of elk or caribou too. Just for the record, the sign on the ladies' toilet says "Hens" and the one on the right says "Roosters".

Which is kind of appropriate when you do a Chicken run.

(The Odd Shots concept came from Katney. Say "G'day" to her.)

Signs Of The Times

Gotta Get Me To A Gold Nugget

Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON

I might not have the skill of a gold miner. I might not have the granite jaw of a Klondike old-timer. But I wouldn't mind picking up some gold nuggets here in the Yukon - if I could only find them.

This shot was taken in a shop window in Dawson City - looking in from the outside. I had a smile on my face because of the three signs against the glass pane, so of course I had to wander up for a closer look.

That's when I noticed the soft reflection in the glass, so I did what comes naturally. I took the photograph.

On reflection, though, I think I have really found pure 22-karat gold here in this frontier territory that I love so much. The Yukon keeps drawing me back like an international magnet. It enriches my soul.

That's gold enough for me.

(The Odd Shots concept came from Katney. Say "G'day" to her.)

Blind Guess

Roll Up, Roll Up, For All The Fun Of The Fair

Sometimes you find a photograph where you least expect it. While we were in Langkawi last month, I was waiting outside a shop when I noticed these rolled-up wooden blinds. I was looking at the pattern of the parallel slats, trying to figure out what type of wood they were made from.

Then I noticed that the blue paint was marginally brighter at the middle of the blinds than it was at the top.

So of course I had to take a couple of shots, because the colours made such a striking contrast against the dark background. And yes, I shot the frames to emphasise the fact that some of the wooden slats had warped while the others had remained unaffected by the weather. The lines were irregular, rather than strictly geometrical - and that just made a great image in my mind.

(The Odd Shots concept came from Katney. Say "G'day" to her.)

Goldilocks And The Three Beers

Cheers, Mate, We'll Drink To That Nursery Rhyme

Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON

This shot wasn't taken on my home turf, because Jaz is not an Aussie brand of beer. I took this photograph in Langkawi during our recent holiday in Malaysia. I was walking down one of the streets in the main town area when I saw this huge carton sitting just on the fringe of a shop.

Initially I thought it was a container of lemonade, because of the colour - and it was only when I got closer that I realised what it was. The curious thing about this shot is that it works because of the slight angle. Had I shot it front-on, it would probably not have been such a strong image.

And just in case you're wondering, no I don't drink. But there are lots of Aussie blokes who make up for me.

(The Odd Shots concept came from Katney. Say "G'day" to her.)