Standing Tall

High And Mighty, In The Last Hour Of Daylight

Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON

It was just one of those days when you never know what the light is going to do next. It had started out as a fairly cold morning, no more than a chilly four degrees before sunrise. Then daylight took the sting out of the wind and by the time I got to the river’s edge late that evening, it was positively balmy.

There was only about half an hour between the time I shot the first image in this series and the last. Strangely enough (no, it wasn’t planned) the very first and last shots were taken within a few metres of each other.


To start with, I noticed that the sun, about forty-five minutes away from the horizon, had thrown some interesting light over the Rialto, the second-tallest building in Melbourne. That’s when I shot the first of these images. Then I meandered around the area of Flinders Street and Federation Square for about half an hour, before making my way back towards where my car was parked.

The sun was long gone, but the mottled sky had a few flashes of silvery-gold. I could not resist the chance to switch the camera back on and take one last image for the day.


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

Standing Tall

High And Mighty, In The Last Hour Of Daylight

Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON

It was just one of those days when you never know what the light is going to do next. It had started out as a fairly cold morning, no more than a chilly four degrees before sunrise. Then daylight took the sting out of the wind and by the time I got to the river’s edge late that evening, it was positively balmy.

There was only about half an hour between the time I shot the first image in this series and the last. Strangely enough (no, it wasn’t planned) the very first and last shots were taken within a few metres of each other.


To start with, I noticed that the sun, about forty-five minutes away from the horizon, had thrown some interesting light over the Rialto, the second-tallest building in Melbourne. That’s when I shot the first of these images. Then I meandered around the area of Flinders Street and Federation Square for about half an hour, before making my way back towards where my car was parked.

The sun was long gone, but the mottled sky had a few flashes of silvery-gold. I could not resist the chance to switch the camera back on and take one last image for the day.


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

Pomp And Splendour

A Taste Of History (Right Here On Our Streets)

Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON

It’s not often I get to photograph a door that is actually in rapid motion!

I was walking across Princes Bridge, looking across the river, just to ensure I wasn’t missing any great sights, when I heard the familiar rumble of an approaching tram. Normally I wouldn’t have given any form of public transport a second glance, but the unusually dark colour caught my eye.

I immediately realised it was a tram that was specially painted to advertise the Pompeii exhibition that has been extremely popular here in Melbourne for the past few months.

Taking a shot, you might think, was no big deal. But there was traffic on both sides, there were cyclists, there were skateboarders, there were pedestrians. And it seemed as if they had all descended on the scene at precisely the time I wanted to photograph the tram for The Doors meme.

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

Pomp And Splendour

A Taste Of History (Right Here On Our Streets)

Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON

It’s not often I get to photograph a door that is actually in rapid motion!

I was walking across Princes Bridge, looking across the river, just to ensure I wasn’t missing any great sights, when I heard the familiar rumble of an approaching tram. Normally I wouldn’t have given any form of public transport a second glance, but the unusually dark colour caught my eye.

I immediately realised it was a tram that was specially painted to advertise the Pompeii exhibition that has been extremely popular here in Melbourne for the past few months.

Taking a shot, you might think, was no big deal. But there was traffic on both sides, there were cyclists, there were skateboarders, there were pedestrians. And it seemed as if they had all descended on the scene at precisely the time I wanted to photograph the tram for The Doors meme.

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

Standing Tall

The Grace Of Architectural Contrasts

Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON

These two minarets stand proud and tall atop the old Forum Theatre. I shot this on Wednesday evening, as the clouds started to build up at dusk.

I had my long lens on, so I could have framed a tighter shot, but I wanted to include a contrast in styles and shapes. The spire in the distance is part of St Paul’s Cathedral.

St Paul's had a recent facelift, but the Forum, which is such a part of Melbourne's heritage and history, is suddenly starting (from the outside, at least) to look its age. Maybe there is a refurbishment plan around the corner ....

Visit MamaGeek and Cecily, creators of Photo Story Friday.

Standing Tall

The Grace Of Architectural Contrasts

Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON

These two minarets stand proud and tall atop the old Forum Theatre. I shot this on Wednesday evening, as the clouds started to build up at dusk.

I had my long lens on, so I could have framed a tighter shot, but I wanted to include a contrast in styles and shapes. The spire in the distance is part of St Paul’s Cathedral.

St Paul's had a recent facelift, but the Forum, which is such a part of Melbourne's heritage and history, is suddenly starting (from the outside, at least) to look its age. Maybe there is a refurbishment plan around the corner ....

Visit MamaGeek and Cecily, creators of Photo Story Friday.

It's The Fort That Counts

We're Starting To See A Pattern Here

Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON

It might look like faux military-style camouflage, but it ain’t. It might look like the door-and-window façade of some old fort, but it ain’t.

It’s just a view of Hosier Lane in Melbourne’s CBD. It's simply a narrow laneway, but it’s acquiring something of an international reputation because of the rich street art that has sprouted on the walls.

If you look carefully at the bottom right-hand corner of this image, you’ll actually see a segment of the footpath. That’s simply because the laneway is on an incline, and I shot this image dead straight to give you an idea of horizontal orientation.

That figure on the left, in the doorway, isn’t painted on the door’s glass surface. It’s actually the reflection of a real person. It was rainy, cold and windy when I shot this image, but there were at least half a dozen tourists and local students braving the weather and trying to shield their cameras from the rain.

That's the real attraction of street art. There's nowhere to hide - for the artist, or for the viewer.

Visit the creative team behind That's My World Tuesday.

It's The Fort That Counts

We're Starting To See A Pattern Here

Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON

It might look like faux military-style camouflage, but it ain’t. It might look like the door-and-window façade of some old fort, but it ain’t.

It’s just a view of Hosier Lane in Melbourne’s CBD. It's simply a narrow laneway, but it’s acquiring something of an international reputation because of the rich street art that has sprouted on the walls.

If you look carefully at the bottom right-hand corner of this image, you’ll actually see a segment of the footpath. That’s simply because the laneway is on an incline, and I shot this image dead straight to give you an idea of horizontal orientation.

That figure on the left, in the doorway, isn’t painted on the door’s glass surface. It’s actually the reflection of a real person. It was rainy, cold and windy when I shot this image, but there were at least half a dozen tourists and local students braving the weather and trying to shield their cameras from the rain.

That's the real attraction of street art. There's nowhere to hide - for the artist, or for the viewer.

Visit the creative team behind That's My World Tuesday.

I Promise To Tell The Tooth

The Whole Tooth - And Nuthin' But The Tooth

Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON

These shot depicts the entrance (no, I'm not kidding) of Luna Park, in the bayside Melbourne suburb of St Kilda. I shot these images about three years ago, on a late-winter afternoon when the wild breeze carried more of a hint of spring than ever before.

The first image shows the famous open-mouth entrance, through which generations of enthusiasts have walked into the amusement park. So, yes, as an entrance I figure it qualifies for this weekly theme.

And the shot below shows some of the amusement park rides clearly visible through the entrance. The teeth? Yup, they need a bit of attention, I reckon. Maybe the dentist was standing right behind me, waiting to get at them!


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

I Promise To Tell The Tooth

The Whole Tooth - And Nuthin' But The Tooth

Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON

These shot depicts the entrance (no, I'm not kidding) of Luna Park, in the bayside Melbourne suburb of St Kilda. I shot these images about three years ago, on a late-winter afternoon when the wild breeze carried more of a hint of spring than ever before.

The first image shows the famous open-mouth entrance, through which generations of enthusiasts have walked into the amusement park. So, yes, as an entrance I figure it qualifies for this weekly theme.

And the shot below shows some of the amusement park rides clearly visible through the entrance. The teeth? Yup, they need a bit of attention, I reckon. Maybe the dentist was standing right behind me, waiting to get at them!


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

In The Driver’s Seat

Some People Are So Well Trained

Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON

So there I was, just standing on the platform about 10 days ago, wondering what I should photograph just to provide a slight variation on this weekly theme.

And while I stood there pondering the possibilities, my gaze moved to a Connex suburban train that stood on a nearby platform. Strong colours. Good light, even though it was fairly cloudy. Then the penny dropped – that’s just what I needed for the theme.

I did have my long lens (a Sigma 70-300mm) with me, but my normal everyday lens, a Sigma 18-125mm, was more than adequate for the tight frame that I wanted.

It was only when I shot this that I realised train drivers have to have doors on both sides of the carriage!

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

In The Driver’s Seat

Some People Are So Well Trained

Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON

So there I was, just standing on the platform about 10 days ago, wondering what I should photograph just to provide a slight variation on this weekly theme.

And while I stood there pondering the possibilities, my gaze moved to a Connex suburban train that stood on a nearby platform. Strong colours. Good light, even though it was fairly cloudy. Then the penny dropped – that’s just what I needed for the theme.

I did have my long lens (a Sigma 70-300mm) with me, but my normal everyday lens, a Sigma 18-125mm, was more than adequate for the tight frame that I wanted.

It was only when I shot this that I realised train drivers have to have doors on both sides of the carriage!

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

Which Pokemon Are You?

And Why Are You Guarding This Doorway?

Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON

Doesn't this artwork remind you of the famous Pokemons? Remember the pocket monsters that took over the world a few years ago?

This is not really one of them. The image was shot in Hosier Lane, in Melbourne's central business district, about a fortnight ago. It's a narrow thoroughfare dating back to Melbourne's early development, but it has been transformed by urban art into what I call "a street of a million images".

Just when you think you've seen the most striking piece of art, another one forces you to re-evaluate.

If you look really carefully at this image you'll actually notice that this is actually a doorway and you can see a small silvery lock in the dead-centre of my frame. And do you see the lettering that says "CTCV" on the top left?

Interesting story, that .... the graffiti actually says "Sod CTCV". Well, okay, so it doesn't really say "Sod"; it uses a four-letter synonym. And whoever scrawled the message must have meant to write "CCTV" for closed-circuit television, instead.

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

Which Pokemon Are You?

And Why Are You Guarding This Doorway?

Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON

Doesn't this artwork remind you of the famous Pokemons? Remember the pocket monsters that took over the world a few years ago?

This is not really one of them. The image was shot in Hosier Lane, in Melbourne's central business district, about a fortnight ago. It's a narrow thoroughfare dating back to Melbourne's early development, but it has been transformed by urban art into what I call "a street of a million images".

Just when you think you've seen the most striking piece of art, another one forces you to re-evaluate.

If you look really carefully at this image you'll actually notice that this is actually a doorway and you can see a small silvery lock in the dead-centre of my frame. And do you see the lettering that says "CTCV" on the top left?

Interesting story, that .... the graffiti actually says "Sod CTCV". Well, okay, so it doesn't really say "Sod"; it uses a four-letter synonym. And whoever scrawled the message must have meant to write "CCTV" for closed-circuit television, instead.

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

A Fishy Tale

Angling For An Introduction

Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON

This shot was one of a series that I took in Melbourne's most vibrant thoroughfare, Hosier Lane. The narrow laneway, off Flinders Street, is well known for its wall art and murals. It's probably only 300 metres long, but the art is stunning, bold, colourful, intricate and generally very classy.

I spent about ten minutes in the laneway on Thursday afternoon, shortly after heavy rain. A few hours earlier, I had received an email from an old friend who lives overseas, asking me if I'd ever shot images in the lane. Yes, I had, but it was high time I re-visited the place.

It began to drizzle as soon as I walked into the laneway - and this time I noticed there were about seven or eight other people there, each with cameras, walking up and down and shooting scenes along the walls and doorways.

I know you're going to ask me a simple question. You want to know the dimensions of the fish, right? I'm guessing here - but it was more than two metres high. Lucky it wasn't the one that got away.

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

A Fishy Tale

Angling For An Introduction

Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON

This shot was one of a series that I took in Melbourne's most vibrant thoroughfare, Hosier Lane. The narrow laneway, off Flinders Street, is well known for its wall art and murals. It's probably only 300 metres long, but the art is stunning, bold, colourful, intricate and generally very classy.

I spent about ten minutes in the laneway on Thursday afternoon, shortly after heavy rain. A few hours earlier, I had received an email from an old friend who lives overseas, asking me if I'd ever shot images in the lane. Yes, I had, but it was high time I re-visited the place.

It began to drizzle as soon as I walked into the laneway - and this time I noticed there were about seven or eight other people there, each with cameras, walking up and down and shooting scenes along the walls and doorways.

I know you're going to ask me a simple question. You want to know the dimensions of the fish, right? I'm guessing here - but it was more than two metres high. Lucky it wasn't the one that got away.

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

Pier Pressure

On The Boardwalk, Without Roy Orbison

Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON

It's funny how slightly different compositions can emphasise different aspects of the same scene. These shots were taken about ten days ago, late on a winter afternoon here in Melbourne. I was really shooting a couple of tight frames to capture the gunmetal-grey of the metal framework as well as the (unusually grey) wooden pier slats.

But when I looked at them on the camera's LCD screen after I had taken the shots, I noticed the subtle difference in the way the water is depicted.

In the first shot, you hardly notice the gentle ripples of the river in the background. Whereas in the second, the horizontal composition (below) seems to lead the eye to the subtle reflections on the river's surface.


Visit MamaGeek and Cecily, creators of Photo Story Friday.

Pier Pressure

On The Boardwalk, Without Roy Orbison

Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON

It's funny how slightly different compositions can emphasise different aspects of the same scene. These shots were taken about ten days ago, late on a winter afternoon here in Melbourne. I was really shooting a couple of tight frames to capture the gunmetal-grey of the metal framework as well as the (unusually grey) wooden pier slats.

But when I looked at them on the camera's LCD screen after I had taken the shots, I noticed the subtle difference in the way the water is depicted.

In the first shot, you hardly notice the gentle ripples of the river in the background. Whereas in the second, the horizontal composition (below) seems to lead the eye to the subtle reflections on the river's surface.


Visit MamaGeek and Cecily, creators of Photo Story Friday.

Booth Hill

Get Into Rugby Mode This Winter

Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON

Now that we’re right into winter here in Melbourne and the days get continually shorter, the sport of choice is Australian Rules football. But these photos prove that Melbourne, the sporting capital of this nation, embraces just about any sport.

Rugby union is about to take my city by storm – as you can see by the larger-than-life mural at this Visitor Centre on the Bourke Street Mall. There is already a fair bit of talk about this month’s two-Test series, when the Qantas Wallabies take on Italy in the 2009 Bundaberg Rum Rugby Series.

How big are the murals? Like most rugby players, they are high and wide. This next shot, with a passer-by in the frame, should put it all into context for you.


Visit the creative team behind That's My World Tuesday.

Booth Hill

Get Into Rugby Mode This Winter

Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON

Now that we’re right into winter here in Melbourne and the days get continually shorter, the sport of choice is Australian Rules football. But these photos prove that Melbourne, the sporting capital of this nation, embraces just about any sport.

Rugby union is about to take my city by storm – as you can see by the larger-than-life mural at this Visitor Centre on the Bourke Street Mall. There is already a fair bit of talk about this month’s two-Test series, when the Qantas Wallabies take on Italy in the 2009 Bundaberg Rum Rugby Series.

How big are the murals? Like most rugby players, they are high and wide. This next shot, with a passer-by in the frame, should put it all into context for you.


Visit the creative team behind That's My World Tuesday.