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.)

Where's Anne Of Green Cables?

I'll Give This My Best Shot

Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON

This is Craig, the foreman at the building site of the Melbourne Recital Centre. Some weeks ago I was shooting from the Sturt Street side of the site and asked if I could get a couple of shots of him, to give the composition a human touch. The first frame is taken with the signage in sharp focus but in the second, I've reversed the focus, with Craig in sharp focus and the signage in soft focus. It's always a fun experiment. Which shot do you prefer?

Standing Tall

Winter Silhouette On A Sunny Afternoon

Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON

This shot was taken at lunchtime, for Brian In Oxford, who wanted to see Melbourne in winter. It was a balmy day, about 15 Celsius after a chilly start, and I was lucky enough to capture some beautiful colour down by the Yarra. There was hardly any cloud and plenty of sunshine. Then I suddenly saw this sight on Sturt Street in South Melbourne. The sun was just in the perfect position to give me part of the city skyline in silhouette. Interestingly enough, because of the configuration of the buildings on the left and their relative heights, it gives the shot a slight fisheye effect.