Put Your Left Leg Out, Put Your Right Leg ...

And You Shake It All About

Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON

This shot was taken on the edge of Lake Kathleen in Kluane National Park, four months ago. We were just about to set off on a hike through amazing terrain when I watched this couple unload their canoe.

I was concentrating on the fall colours against the snow-capped mountains on the far side of the lake when my attention was instead caught by the body language of the two canoeists.

As they walked across the grey shale to the water’s edge, this image snapped in my head and I immediately turned my camera towards them. I had to make sure I was directly behind them so that they could not be identified.

But the real beauty, in my mind, came not just from the beauty of their surroundings but from the symmetry of their bodies and the complementary angles of their extended arms. In addition, I could not have asked for better colour contrasts, because the man on the left was wearing dark blue and the woman on the right was wearing red.

Just as they sought perfect balance in their task, I looked for exactly the same kind of balance in the image that captured their effort.

Visit MamaGeek and Cecily, creators of Photo Story Friday.

The Lake Was Placid

Anything I Canoe, You Canoe Better

Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON

Last week, the sun started to break through thick cloud at Kluane National Park in Haines Junction, Canada, as we hiked around Lake Kathleen. Around the same time, the wind was gently rustling the leaves of the beautiful trees around the lake.

In the space of a few minutes, I watched the water's surface change to blue-green to a distinct shimmering silver. Then I watched these two people in their canoe and I realised that if I used my 300mm lens, the bright colour of their canoe would be a perfect foil for the glittering water.

Sometimes things just set themselves up for a great photograph - all we have to do is "see" the image and hit the shutter.