It's All About Perspective

Yes, We Sometimes Find It In Unexpected Places

Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON

Just about the last place you'd expect to see bright colours and an interesting message would be - let me think - a building site, right? But while I was shooting some amazing Christmas decorations along Orchard Road, Singapore, in mid-December 2007, I suddenly looked behind me.

There was a building site that was a hive of activity. But the site was cordoned off from the general public with metal fencing that sported this beautiful paintwork - and a great set of words.

The beautiful green tropical plants are not painted on - they're real. And d'you know what - that tree might look as if it was cleverly rendered into the painting, but no, it is genuine too. Yes, it's a real tree and part of the interesting perspective of the scene is the fact that the tree's contour has been integrated into the metal.

Someone has very carefully cut a hole in the metal sheeting so as not to disturb the tree in the slightest way. Construction work that does not disturb the environment in any way? Yup, that's perspective for me.

Visit MamaGeek and Cecily, creators of Photo Story Friday.

It's All About Perspective

Yes, We Sometimes Find It In Unexpected Places

Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON

Just about the last place you'd expect to see bright colours and an interesting message would be - let me think - a building site, right? But while I was shooting some amazing Christmas decorations along Orchard Road, Singapore, in mid-December 2007, I suddenly looked behind me.

There was a building site that was a hive of activity. But the site was cordoned off from the general public with metal fencing that sported this beautiful paintwork - and a great set of words.

The beautiful green tropical plants are not painted on - they're real. And d'you know what - that tree might look as if it was cleverly rendered into the painting, but no, it is genuine too. Yes, it's a real tree and part of the interesting perspective of the scene is the fact that the tree's contour has been integrated into the metal.

Someone has very carefully cut a hole in the metal sheeting so as not to disturb the tree in the slightest way. Construction work that does not disturb the environment in any way? Yup, that's perspective for me.

Visit MamaGeek and Cecily, creators of Photo Story Friday.

Ha, Ha Monica

For Me, This Performance Struck A Poignant Note

Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON

Sometimes a face just stops you in your tracks. Then, despite the fact that you have a camera around your neck and media credentials in your wallet, the debate begins. Do you have the right to intrude? I always ask the person if it’s all right to photograph them. Always.

When I photographed a harp player in Quebec City, it was with his permission. When I photographed a pavement piano player in Melbourne, it was with his permission. When I photographed a costumed belly dancer, it was with her permission. When I photographed a blind busker, it was with his permission.

So when I saw this street performer in Singapore two years ago, I asked if I could take some shots of him and he nodded his assent.

Just for the record, I wasn't in his face when I shot these images. My normal lens is a Sigma 18-125mm, so I always have plenty of options. Both these images were shot at the maximum focal length, so I wasn't even within touching distance when I photographed him.

If only I’d had an interpreter, I would have asked many questions.

I really wanted to know how old he was and why there was such depth of emotion in his eyes. Yes, he had a funky haircut. Yes, he had a great shirt. But I wanted to know why he sat there in the tropical heat, apparently without any teeth, playing the harmonica as if it were his only outlet for creativity.


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

Ha, Ha Monica

For Me, This Performance Struck A Poignant Note

Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON

Sometimes a face just stops you in your tracks. Then, despite the fact that you have a camera around your neck and media credentials in your wallet, the debate begins. Do you have the right to intrude? I always ask the person if it’s all right to photograph them. Always.

When I photographed a harp player in Quebec City, it was with his permission. When I photographed a pavement piano player in Melbourne, it was with his permission. When I photographed a costumed belly dancer, it was with her permission. When I photographed a blind busker, it was with his permission.

So when I saw this street performer in Singapore two years ago, I asked if I could take some shots of him and he nodded his assent.

Just for the record, I wasn't in his face when I shot these images. My normal lens is a Sigma 18-125mm, so I always have plenty of options. Both these images were shot at the maximum focal length, so I wasn't even within touching distance when I photographed him.

If only I’d had an interpreter, I would have asked many questions.

I really wanted to know how old he was and why there was such depth of emotion in his eyes. Yes, he had a funky haircut. Yes, he had a great shirt. But I wanted to know why he sat there in the tropical heat, apparently without any teeth, playing the harmonica as if it were his only outlet for creativity.


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

Trash Talk

The Way To A Conservationist’s Heart, Er, Art

Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON

I have to admit it’s not often that we get to train our cameras on garbage bins, but this week’s theme really had me thinking. Yes, I’ve got some shots of huge dumpsters; yes, I’ve got some shots of festival trash. But did I really want to publish them? I racked my brain to try and think if there was anything from left field.

That’s when I remembered these shots taken on Orchard Road, the main shopping area in Singapore. Luckily I catalogue all my images in a logical manner, so it only took me a few seconds to track down the image.


I clearly remember walking briskly down Orchard Road and pretty much stopping in my tracks when I saw these brightly coloured bins.

Of course I had to shoot the sight immediately. Not just because of the bright colours, but mainly because I don’t think I’ve ever seen a trash can decorated with so much vibrant art.


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

Trash Talk

The Way To A Conservationist’s Heart, Er, Art

Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON

I have to admit it’s not often that we get to train our cameras on garbage bins, but this week’s theme really had me thinking. Yes, I’ve got some shots of huge dumpsters; yes, I’ve got some shots of festival trash. But did I really want to publish them? I racked my brain to try and think if there was anything from left field.

That’s when I remembered these shots taken on Orchard Road, the main shopping area in Singapore. Luckily I catalogue all my images in a logical manner, so it only took me a few seconds to track down the image.


I clearly remember walking briskly down Orchard Road and pretty much stopping in my tracks when I saw these brightly coloured bins.

Of course I had to shoot the sight immediately. Not just because of the bright colours, but mainly because I don’t think I’ve ever seen a trash can decorated with so much vibrant art.


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