Bad Moon Rising by David McMahon
David McMahon

Bad Moon Rising by

Actually, it’s not the moon. It’s the sun. Well, it’s an artificial sun, but I’ll tell you all about that in a minute.

I’m really pleased with the result here, because it was shot freehand, without a tripod, which is always a challenge I relish!

This huge installation at Melbourne’s Federation Square is called Behold Solar Equation and is a huge artificial representation of the sun, created by Mexican-Canadian artist Rafael Lozano-Hemmer.

It is part of the Light in Winter exhibition. I noticed it during the daytime, about 10 days ago, but did not realise that it would be lit at night. It goes through a variety of colours, and when I shot this on Friday night, I wanted to find the best angle, to make use of silhouettes.

I also wanted to place it in the complete context of Melbourne’s central business district, which is why the frame embraces office towers as well.

I do not crop, enhance or post-edit my images in any way. Shot with a Pentax K100D, using a Sigma 18-125mm lens. F5.6, 1/4 sec, ISO 800, focal length 300mm.

Featured in LIGHT UP MY LIFE, July 2010.

Featured in EXTRA-ORDINARY PHOTOGRAPHY, July 2010.

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Tags

offices, federation square, fed square, bad moon rising, art installation, david mcmahon, central business district, office blocks, rafael lozano hemmer, behold solar equation, melbourne, australia, artist, sun, cbd, artificial

Comments

  • Ranald
    Ranaldalmost 2 years ago

    Wow, Redbubble goes large! Superb colour.

  • That’s a brilliant comment! Thanks, Ranald. Pretty pleased with this because it was shot without a tripod!

    – David McMahon

  • John Vandeven
    John Vandevenalmost 2 years ago

    Great night shot David, a very interesting subject mate…

  • Thanks very much, John. Took me several minutes to find the right angle!

    – David McMahon

  • Shulie1
    Shulie1almost 2 years ago

    Fantastic!

  • Thank you, Shulie. I wanted something better than just a huge ball ….. glad you like this!

    – David McMahon

  • Betty Mackey
    Betty Mackeyalmost 2 years ago

    Great shot, and I like Ranald’s comment.

  • Very kind of you, Betty. I think Ranald is hilarious….

    – David McMahon

  • kalaryder
    kalaryderalmost 2 years ago

    What a find ! Love it

  • Thanks so much, Kalaryder. So glad you like this depiction. Took quite a while to find the angle ….!

    – David McMahon

  • CJTill
    CJTillalmost 2 years ago

    Nice one David.

  • Thank you, Colin. That warm colour makes it look like a summery shot, but it was a cold winter night.

    – David McMahon

  • Alison Howson
    Alison Howsonalmost 2 years ago

    Great shot David. I saw this sphere from Flinders St. Stn this morning (in its white, day-time guise) and wondered what an earth it was. Thanks for the enlightenment.

  • Thanks, Alison. It’s amazing to watch it change colour at night.

    – David McMahon

  • Helene Henderson
    Helene Hendersonalmost 2 years ago

    Wonderful shot, David!! It would be cool to see a series of all the colors it goes through :-)

  • Thanks, Helene – it went through grey to silver, to light orange, to this mandarin colour ….. and it looks so very different in daylight!

    – David McMahon

  • LoreLeft27
    LoreLeft27almost 2 years ago

    wow now i know where redbubble is stationed at

  • I wish I’d thought of that when I took this shot!

    – David McMahon

  • kalaryder
    kalaryderalmost 2 years ago

  • Wonderful news, Kala. Thank you so much for the honour – and for letting me know.

    – David McMahon