Wane, Gretsky
Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON
Sometimes, stark images can work just as effectively as those with vivid colours or arresting shapes. I was up very early on Saturday morning and shortly before the sun came up, I was struck by the position of the moon just above this bare tree.
Should my point of focus be the moon, or should I instead concentrate on the bare branches?
I opted for a composition that highlighted the branches, stripped of their leaves, against a clear, cold blue sky highlighted by the waning moon. The conditions were perfect to use the slender silhouettes of the branches against the chilly sky - and quite frankly I don't think the shot would have been effective if the tree had summery foliage on it.
This is a plane tree. They're very common in Melbourne and they have huge leaves that are shaped like maple leaves, but they don't have the striking burgundy hues of maple in autumn.
By the way, you did notice the birds, didn't you? (They're the two dark shapes just to the right of the frame.)