Gimme Hendrix

David McMahon

Gimme Hendrix

Shooting in really harsh direct sunlight brings unique challenges, but this photo opportunity literally unfolded in front of me.

I was walking past Hamer Hall on St Kilda Road on a warm sunny afternoon recently when I noticed a person (see the foot in the top background) lying down on a concrete pathway, to soak up the sun’s rays during his lunch break.

I was a long way away, but I had my 70-300mm lens on the camera, and so I thought I would simply shoot an image of the man’s feet and his dark shoes with their mustard-yellow laces as he lay stretched out in the bright light.

As I composed the shot, this man with the long hair arrived, sat down in front of the first man and, almost to my disbelief, also lay down exactly where I had my camera trained.

Despite the harsh light, I hit the trigger anyway. You can actually see just how bright it was by looking at his dark glasses, where you can see the reflection of the sun above.

I do not crop, enhance or post-edit my images in any way. Shot with a Pentax K100D, using a Sigma 70-300mm lens. F8, 1/250 sec, ISO 200, focal length 300mm.

Featured in ALL STREET PORTRAITS AND PHOTOGRAPHY, October 2009.

Featured by my co-host in ANYTHING WE WEAR, October 2009.

Featured in 50+, November 2009.

Featured in SPEAKING PHOTOS, November 2009.

Top 10 in GOOD NEWS GROUP challenge, November 2009.

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Gimme Hendrix belongs to the following groups:

! $$☻Get Art Promoted☺$$ !, ! 100% !, "Real" Life Photography (2 per day), 300+ Go Long!, 50+ GROUP, 60's GLORY, All Around the Styles, All Street Portraiture:(Country/CITY/)added to your description , All Things Poetic, Artistic, Philosophical, Anything We Wear (Including Bling!), Australia! You're Standing In it...., Australian Contemporary Photography, Australian Portraits, Bits and Pieces , Caption Fun, Cee's Fun Artsy Friends, Creative Spirits of Queensland , Depth Of Field (2 images per day) - Read Group Rules Please, Everyday Life, Friends of Bangor and North Down Camera Club, Northern Ireland, Friends of RedBubble, Good News Group - Sharing & Caring, If it doesn't belong, Images & Ideas, ImageWriting (2/24), Just Fun, Live and Let Live, Live, Love, Dream: , Melbourne & Victoria, Mood & Ambience - Strictly Photos, PEACE, LOVE & TRANQUILITY, PENTAX , Photographers of Redbubble (2 per 24hr, Camera info added before it will be accepted!!), Speaking Photos (Storytelling) - 2 per day -, Special Moments, Street Photography and Photojournalism, Technical Photography, That's Entertainment! (Fun & Recreation Photos), The Addicted Photographer►2 Per Day◄, The Human Condition, THE PHOTOGRAPHERS VAULT, The World, The X - Human Sentiment, This Is Relevant (2 per day), Tuesday Afternoon, Unconventional Artistry - 3 per day, Victorian Viewfinders and Yer pullin' my leg ! Available for sale as

Greeting Cards, Matted Prints, Laminated Prints, Mounted Prints, Canvas Prints and Framed Prints
Gimme Hendrix by David McMahon
Gimme Hendrix by David McMahon
  • Thomas Simunsen

    Thomas Simunsen

    someone started a trend!!

  • David McMahon replied

    I think you’re right, Thomas! I should have waited a few more minutes to see if other people di the same ….

  • gerrardt

    gerrardt

    THIS IS A INCREDIBLE SHOT..!

  • David McMahon replied

    My thanks, Gerrard – I wish I knew his story. I’m sure it would have been wonderful.

  • Kimba Vetten

    Kimba Vetten

    Wow this is amazing.

  • David McMahon replied

    Thanks so much, Cat2Be. So glad this shot is drawing some feedback!

  • Shelly Hiebert

    Shelly Hiebert

    Great shot David :)

  • David McMahon replied

    Thank you, Shelly. It would not have been possible if I were shooting with my normal lens, the 18-125mm – because this was shot at the full focal length of 300mm, with my long lens.

  • greenstone

    greenstone

    fantastic!!!!!! love the title too!!!

  • David McMahon replied

    Thank you very much, Greenstone – on both counts!

  • Merrilyn Hunt

    Merrilyn Hunt

    Nice work! Great stuff, David!

  • David McMahon replied

    Thanks Merrilyn – just one of those shots that ``happen’’ when least expected.

  • Betty Mackey

    Betty Mackey

    Your voluntary model looks blissful!

  • David McMahon replied

    He certainly was very relaxed – and I was delighted to have the opportunity to take the shot!

  • CJTill

    CJTill

    Awesome work David.

  • David McMahon replied

    Thanks very much, Colin. Just lucky I was there!

  • Cee Neuner

    Cee Neuner

    wonderful work!

  • David McMahon replied

    Thanks, Cee – luck was on my side, I reckon.

  • Lorena Maria

    Lorena Maria

  • David McMahon replied

    That’s wonderful news, Lorena. Thank you very much for featuring this image. I wish I knew the story of the man in the photo ….

  • Mike Oxley

    Mike Oxley

    Great candid shot, David! And cool title…...

  • David McMahon replied

    Thanks very much, Mike. The title occurred to me a few seconds after I hit the trigger to take the shot …. just when I was thinking, ``What’ll I title this?’‘

  • Shulie1

    Shulie1

    Great shot

  • David McMahon replied

    Thanks so much, Shulie. Delighted to know that you like this one.

  • sfmilner

    sfmilner

    Greetings David; Stunning composition and title, nicely done.
    steve

  • David McMahon replied

    Thank you on both counts, Steve. Lucky I was there, and VERY lucky I had my long lens on as well ….!

  • OneForYes

    OneForYes

    Terrific! Very well-seen:)

  • David McMahon replied

    Thanks very much, OneForYes. This person really made my shot – and my day!

  • John Vandeven

    John Vandeven

    Ha Ha…..A ripper shot and great title.

  • David McMahon replied

    Thanks very much, John, on both counts. The title just drifted into my head a couple of minutes after I had taken the shot!

  • NikonJohn

    NikonJohn

    Great luck and terrific result!

  • David McMahon replied

    Thanks very much, NikonJohn. Yes, luck played a HUGE part in this shot, but I’m chuffed that you think the result is terrific.

  • Linda Bianic

    Linda Bianic

    this is a great candid,, sometimes the surprise gives best image!!!

  • David McMahon replied

    Thanks very much, Linda – you’re so right about the element of surprise.

  • Julie Everhart

    Julie Everhart

    Love it! Its great when the unexpected happens and it turns out well! Great capture!

  • David McMahon replied

    Thanks very much, Julie. Yes, as you say, this was totally unexpected!

  • Olitto

    Olitto

    50+ GROUP
    CONGRATULATIONS David! This image is currently being featured in the 50+ Group
    Great work and well deserved.

  • David McMahon replied

    Thanks so much, Olitto. That’s a wonderful honour – and thank you for taking the trouble to let me know.

  • Mishu7

    Mishu7

  • David McMahon replied

    Thank you so much, Mishu. I wish I knew the story of this man to share with all of you ….

  • Danceintherain

    Danceintherain

    The photo, the title and the story made me smile.
    • Coy *

  • David McMahon replied

    Thank you, DanceInTheRain – your comment made me smile. VERY broadly. Great to know you liked this image and the story behind it.

  • Georgie Hart

    Georgie Hart

    I’m guessing D is his favourite chord, cos it looks like his favourite vitamin! Great capture David.

  • David McMahon replied

    If I track him down again, I’ll ask him that question, Georgie!

  • Jenni Atkins-Stair

    Jenni Atkins-S... 16 days ago

  • David McMahon replied 16 days ago

    That’s a great way to start the day. Thanks so much for letting me know, Jenni. Very kind of you.

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