Crystal Passage [Update]

Update: The photo of the climber is posted in M&N now (see the link below). It shows that this is in fact more than two feet tall.

Something must have changed in the week before this past Saturday. I looked up from inside this giant iceberg thinking that I had finally found the photo I had been looking for all winter. I recorded four images at f/8 focused to different depths, checking focus in live view. Later that night, I discovered the depth of field was not enough...

...Despite plans to the contrary, I hiked across the lake again yesterday for another attempt. This time using f/10 and seven layers. The blend was impossible in terms of perfection and a beast even to get to its current state, but I'm convinced that I will be satisfied with the print.

Whether the image lives up to my expectations or not, it was an incredible blessing to get my fill of this visual feast. If I can find the time, I'll try to post a photo of a climber in the Man and Nature gallery for scale. Thanks for viewing.