The only thing that trumps a striking sky, I reckon, is a strong silhouette against it. This shot (taken around Easter 2008) of the light towers and roof structure of the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) is a really unusual angle, as any Melburnian will tell you.
To achieve this shot from the same height as the MCG roof, I had to be on the eastern side of a tall building about 1.5 kilometres away. I waited about a week for the right sky, and was rewarded with this cloud cover that turned gold as I watched.
Yes, I could have shot the image from a higher floor, but then I would have been looking down into the darker cloud near the horizon. By choosing this level, I was able to get strong silhouettes in the vicinity of the most dramatic colour.
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, 1/180 sec, ISO 400, focal length 300mm.
Featured in FAVOURITE PLACES YOU TAKE, MAKE OR PAINT, February 2010.
Featured in MORNINGS AND EVENINGS, SUNBEAMS AND STORMS, June 2011.
Comments
nice shot, beautiful colours
Thank you, JustArt. The colours of the sky were just right for me that day – but it was a long wait!
– David McMahon
Thank you, Julie. I was actually shooting through a huge window, but because I was using a 300mm lens, it’s difficult to tell.
– David McMahon
Stunning! simply stunning dear David.
Thank you, Lorena. It was well worth the wait! Glad you enjoyed the result.
– David McMahon
It is quite beautiful David. Well captured. Charlotte
Thank you, Charlotte – the dawn colours are always a manifestation of Nature’s great lottery!
– David McMahon
Your cohosts,
Cee and Chris
Thank you, Cee and Chris.
– David McMahon
Beautiful David!
Thank you, Cheryl. The sky really transformed the scene that morning.
– David McMahon
Such a beautiful sky! love the colors!
Thanks, Jen. Skies have always fascinated me, since my schooldays in the mountains!
– David McMahon
Lovely work, David!! This is so Melbourne!!
Thank you, Merrilyn. You’re so right about Melbourne!
– David McMahon
Wonderful shot!
Thanks, Shulie. Took a few days to get the colours right. I had to be very patient!
– David McMahon
Terrific capture David, I really like the golden colours.
Thank you, Don. I monitored this view for about four days, and then suddenly, BINGO! The colours were right there for me ….
– David McMahon