Dark Water, Dark Sky

Gallery: LandscapePosted June 22, 2010371 views34 comments

On my last kayak trip in the Northern Adirondacks I was kind of bemoaning the gray skies when I found this scene that does not depend on color. Paddling down the Saint Regis River, I admired a lone white pine surrounded by tamaracks as I rounded an island, and then noticed the leading lines of the grass in the channel. I was “shooting from the hip” (which I practice a lot) holding the camera low, over the edge of the kayak as I floated downstream.

Canon 50D
Sigma 17-70mm. f/2.8
1/60 sec. @ f/11; ISO 200
Handheld from Kayak

P.S. Sorry I have not been on NPN for about a month, or ESS even longer. I thought allergies were wearing me out for weeks, but discovered just last month that it was lymphoma sneaking up on me again, so I have spent all my time on medical tests and decisions. Just yesterday, I returned from my first stay at the Dartmouth Cancer Center in New Hampshire, where I am starting intensive new chemotherapy. It will keep me either hospitalized or in isolation much of the time for months, so I am not sure how much I will be posting or commenting, but I’ll check in to NPN whenever I can for inspiration. Thanks so much for your encouragement and friendship!

Comments

34 comments

Comment posted by Morris McClung on June 22, 2010 at 9:07 PM

Srtrong graphic shot! I usually prefer more contrast in conversions, but I appreciate the range of tones in this one. Very well done, Wayne!

Registered on May 7, 2007, 670 Posts, 19650 Comments

Comment posted by Wayne Jones on June 22, 2010 at 9:19 PM

Thanks Morris,
I am sure I'll work on this on some more. My original exposure has virtually no clipping, so there is lot's of room to play, but I decided to stick with the "dark" feeling here, since I shot this under the heavy gray sky after waiting though heavy rain from 5AM TO 10 AM that day.

Registered on April 18, 2007, 953 Posts, 6435 Comments

Comment posted by Jeremy Kessler on June 22, 2010 at 9:30 PM

Great shot. Very sorry to hear of your condition. Hope your treatment goes well. Hang in there.

Registered on September 13, 2007, 36 Posts, 1283 Comments

Comment posted by Daniel Cartamil on June 22, 2010 at 9:30 PM

Amazing comp and I love the black and white. Has the teeniest slightest CW feel to it, I dont know why but it bugs me. Good luck with the chemo, the lure of getting out and taking more pictures like this will be a strong incentive in your recovery!

Registered on November 15, 2007, 50 Posts, 601 Comments

Comment posted by Rudy Ruberti on June 22, 2010 at 9:30 PM

Great b&w image Wayne. I like the comp and clarity, and the tones are really nice, too. Wish you the best.

Registered on October 28, 2008, 179 Posts, 1875 Comments

Comment posted by Derek Yow on June 22, 2010 at 9:35 PM

This is a very engaging shot Wayne. The reeds as leading lines works really well. Looks like there's maybe a little more to be pulled out in the clouds, but not sure. Best of luck with your treatments, and hope you're on the path to recovery soon.

Registered on May 18, 2010, 26 Posts, 655 Comments

Comment posted by Wayne Jones on June 22, 2010 at 9:48 PM

Thanks Derek,
Your remark about the sky: Actually, the sky in the color version is so flat, I felt kind of guilty about pushing the clouds this far, but they kind of went this way in the B&W conversion as I adjusted the tones for the foliage and lightened the blue channel to separate the distant mountains from the midground trees.

Registered on April 18, 2007, 953 Posts, 6435 Comments

Comment posted by Eva McDermott on June 22, 2010 at 10:02 PM

I love the exposure, contrast, and lines in the foreground Wayne. B&W works very well here.

Sorry to hear the P.S. news. You are are in my thoughts and prays Wayne.

Registered on January 4, 2009, 1015 Posts, 13229 Comments

Comment posted by Kurt Budliger on June 22, 2010 at 10:15 PM

Lovely shot Wayne, it's got Adirondacks written all over it. I just returned from a quick fishing trip over to Whey Pond in the St. Regis Canoe Area, man I love and miss the 'dacks. In just a few short hours floating around chasing big rainbows we got great looks at a mature bald eagle, a couple of loons and and shy raccoon plying the banks, not to mention a killer sunset.

I'm sorry to hear your news and will be keeping you in my thoughts. Sounds like you've been through this before and I'm wishing you much strength as you endure this battle once again. Watch your top knot!

Registered on June 11, 2006, 113 Posts, 2116 Comments

Comment posted by Wayne Jones on June 22, 2010 at 10:27 PM

Thanks Kurt, Those lone pines on the shore always say Adirondack to me too. We were not that far apart, but down here were were catching 20"+ bass and occasional pike, plus enjoying all the critters and loon music. (There was a nest near here.)

Re my treatments -- in addition to being a great hospital, Dartmouth is a pleasant 2-hour ride across Vermont for me every three weeks (for 5-day stays). It does help to make it more bearable.

Registered on April 18, 2007, 953 Posts, 6435 Comments

Comment posted by Shane McDermott on June 22, 2010 at 10:28 PM

I think this is an incredible image, so many lines of pull. Great comp!

Shane

Registered on November 12, 2007, 49 Posts, 1074 Comments

Comment posted by Patricia Brundage on June 22, 2010 at 10:35 PM

Oh, those grasses in the foreground make perfect leading lines to the tree. Black and white conversion done expertly. Your kayaking trips have given you many wonderful images. Maybe I should get mine out again... if the old bones can bend enough to get in/out without drowning myself.

Well wishes to you and I look forward to your healthy return. Know that my thoughts and prayers are with you.

Registered on March 23, 2006, 1111 Posts, 6531 Comments

Comment posted by Jay Nielsen on June 22, 2010 at 10:49 PM

I like how the ligt ranges from very bright at the top to very dark at the bottom, it is almost like a tonal range chart. The leading lines really pull you in, great shot!

Good luck on your treatments, I wish you the best!

Registered on October 6, 2008, 137 Posts, 720 Comments

Comment posted by Eric Good on June 23, 2010 at 12:00 AM

Excellent use of those fg grasses and nice placement of that tree reflection. I wouldn't change a thing here. Good luck with your treatment and I look forward to your future posts.

Registered on March 17, 2007, 116 Posts, 4764 Comments

Comment posted by Gale Rainwater on June 23, 2010 at 12:20 AM

Beautiful image Wayne and get well soon. Enjoyed your work.

Registered on June 17, 2007, 1 Posts, 75 Comments

Comment posted by Dietrich Gloger on June 23, 2010 at 1:02 AM

Beautiful bw work here Wayne! Just works great as bw. The fg is really interesting here and is the perfect entrance to the scene.
Thanks for the update

Keep your strength man, I hope all will work out well for you!

Registered on January 26, 2007, 360 Posts, 9876 Comments

Comment posted by Stuart Williams on June 23, 2010 at 1:22 AM

superb b&w and superb comp.

hope the treatment goes well.

Registered on December 7, 2007, 247 Posts, 4792 Comments

Comment posted by Catherine Reilly on June 23, 2010 at 2:58 AM

Very moody, enhanced to my eye by the b/w presentation. Love all the lines.

Registered on August 16, 2006, 603 Posts, 9192 Comments

Comment posted by Floris van Breugel on June 23, 2010 at 3:05 AM

Gorgeous image, Wayne. The foreground lines and variety of trees keeps me very interested, and the delicate conversion is fantastic!

Registered on December 19, 2008, 306 Posts, 4840 Comments

Comment posted by Gary McGhee on June 23, 2010 at 3:37 AM

Wonderfully composed shot Wayne, the foreground grasses in the water make a lovely lead into the shot.

Best wishes with your treatment.

Gary.

Registered on April 15, 2010, 142 Posts, 2416 Comments

Comment posted by Kevin Trinkner on June 23, 2010 at 7:27 AM

Really nice Wayne, love the mono conversion and great lead in lines with the grass.

So sorry to hear about your medical situation. I wish you the best, try to keep your spirits up during the months of isolation. Hopefully some images here can help you. Stay strong.

Registered on June 30, 2008, 203 Posts, 2641 Comments

Comment posted by Joseph Kayne on June 23, 2010 at 11:12 AM

Registered on November 1, 2003, 573 Posts, 2619 Comments

Comment posted by andy puttbach on June 23, 2010 at 1:18 PM

Nicely done. I'll be in the Corith area in a couple of weeks. Can't wait. Sorry to hear of your struggles. Hope all goes well. I'll miss your quick glimpses of the 'dacs you give us. It's one of those life lines to those of us who are stuck elsewhere in the world. Thanks

Registered on January 23, 2007, 0 Posts, 299 Comments

Comment posted by Dorin Bofan on June 23, 2010 at 2:03 PM

Fantastic shot, Wayne! The fg is the best part for me.
Keep your strength! It will get better!

Registered on April 30, 2007, 122 Posts, 3086 Comments

Comment posted by Wayne Rhodus on June 23, 2010 at 5:14 PM

Very appealling image Wayne. Kick that nasty disease and get back out there soon. You're in my thoughts and prayers.

Registered on November 16, 2003, 157 Posts, 3326 Comments

Comment posted by Buck Ward on June 23, 2010 at 9:09 PM

An exemplar not only of leading lines, but rule of thirds as well.

Wishing you good health.

Registered on December 8, 2003, 96 Posts, 1917 Comments

Comment posted by Guy Tal on June 23, 2010 at 9:32 PM

Superb composition and processing, Wayne. This is really captivating.

Guy

Registered on November 1, 2003, 566 Posts, 15507 Comments

Comment posted by Chris Chamberlain on June 23, 2010 at 11:43 PM

Very nice scene, Wayne! It's so clean and perfect. Not one thing in this comp I wish wasn't there. Nice conversion too.

I hope you are feeling better soon.

Chris

Registered on March 13, 2007, 500 Posts, 8365 Comments

Comment posted by Stan Rose on June 24, 2010 at 1:09 AM

Beautiful shot, Wayne--pure magic! Get well, my friend!

Registered on September 15, 2005, 836 Posts, 17099 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Overacker on June 24, 2010 at 9:37 PM

Wayne,

Not sure how I missed this one or more importantly how I missed your note. I'm so sorry to hear about your battles with cancer and I wish you only the best in your treatment and recovery. Many great folks here who would like to help if there's anything we can do. And as you say, there is certainly plenty of inspiration in the image and people here at NPN.

For the image, it's really bad Wayne.

JK - hope that cracked a smile anyway. Seriously, flowing lines of the grasses in the water are fabulous and the treeline and clouds in the distance give this nice depth. No nits or suggestions, simply a beautiful image.

Take good care during your treatment.

Lon

Registered on November 24, 2006, 521 Posts, 19147 Comments

Comment posted by Adrian Klein on June 25, 2010 at 12:00 AM

This is one heck of a beauty you have here. Very well done on the comp and processing. B&W sure looks like the way to go here as well. Super image.

Registered on June 10, 2007, 112 Posts, 1506 Comments

Comment posted by Wayne Jones on June 25, 2010 at 6:16 AM

Thanks again everyone. You have reinforced my intention to print this after some tweaking (esp. contrast comment from Morris and also Daniel's remark about the "CW feel," which is CW on the left and CCW on the right from the 17-degree wide-angle view.

LON: Mission Accomplished. You should see the smile on my face now!
Thanks for asking what you can do. Encouragement from my friends here at NPN really does help. In fact, I am convinced good wishes and prayers are very important to our well-being. On the other hand, I am here for constructive CRITICISM on my images, so whenever ANYONE has any idea of how I might improve, I want to hear it. For that reason, I will not make a habit of writing distracting comments about my condition when I post images, unless there is a big change that I know my friends here would want to know about.

Registered on April 18, 2007, 953 Posts, 6435 Comments

Comment posted by Kent Mearig on June 25, 2010 at 4:55 PM

As much as I like the composition as it's presented, I'm even more fond of the result of screen cropping to the upper edge of the river. Only including the reflections and the foreground grass makes an arresting image. Well done.

Registered on September 4, 2006, 237 Posts, 4748 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Chambers on June 28, 2010 at 1:57 PM

This is really sweet Wayne, and perfect for B&W. I think the sky is so important to this image - had the sky been clear it just wouldn't have the same effect at all. Excellent comp and processing. Keep you chin up Pal, we're all praying for you.

Registered on April 10, 2005, 753 Posts, 21216 Comments