Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHONWhat catches your eye when you have your camera with you? I'm attracted to unusual sights, to strong colours, to shapes, to pastels - and to any combination of colours or shapes. I'm attracted to landscapes. I'm attracted to expanses of water because of reflections. Doesn't leave much, does it!
I guess my "camera antenna" is constantly switched on, except (maybe) when I'm asleep. This approach is best typified by this shot, because it shows a very simple artefact. So why did I train my lens on it? Because it has strong red and silver and because there's a polished timber tabletop in the equation as well.
In addition, it has an unusual combination - on the one hand, there's the geometrical precision of the straight red lines and the perfect ninety-degree angles of the corners, while on the other hand there's the soft arcs and curves of the silver. Want to know what the object is? It's simply a set of red drinks coasters in a hand-made silver stand. The subtle reflections on the wood are also a value-added feature in an unusual photograph.
What does your "camera antenna" pick up? I'd love to know ....
