End of the Line

Gallery: LandscapePosted February 24, 2011162 views15 comments

So... the idea was to hike up to the alpine and catch some stunning first light on some pristine snow a la Adam Gibbs. Alas, I was a bit late starting, but as luck would have it, the "stunning" light never happened, and after hiking 4.5km (3 miles) I was stymied in my progress by a frozen creek I did not feel confident crossing.There were some interesting snow drifts off to the side of the trail so I tried to compose some shots. I was thinking just about line and form. I've cloned out a few things and cropped square from the original(which I'm including for comparison).
Xsi
55-250@135mm
1/6@f22
ISO 100
I know this is no "wow" shot but let me know what you think and what I could do to improve this.

*Maybe a crop off the left?
Thx,Dean.

Comments

15 comments

Comment posted by dean hebert on February 24, 2011 at 3:02 AM

And the original.

Registered on August 4, 2010, 70 Posts, 1132 Comments

Comment posted by Barbara Graham on February 24, 2011 at 7:26 AM

First, can I congratulate you on not trying to cross a creek you didn't feel confident crossing? I appreciate reading that.

I think this is a good crop from the original. Instead of a crop off the left I was thinking maybe a little more crop from the bottom and right. I have no knowledge of processing snow images, but maybe you could make the shadows a little stronger, if that's possible? I really like the lines of the snow and the shadows they make.

Registered on July 27, 2010, 1310 Posts, 5035 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Baumbach on February 24, 2011 at 7:52 AM

Nice and simple. I like the cropped version.

- Dan.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 473 Posts, 7980 Comments

Comment posted by Mohammad Al-Mumen on February 24, 2011 at 9:59 AM

I am in love with this composition and the high key tones...

I liked the original composition. However, I would still clone out the black spot on the left.

Well done.

Registered on December 8, 2010, 12 Posts, 56 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Siggins on February 24, 2011 at 12:25 PM

I like simple images. Interesting lines in the snow really add to this photo. You might try a 8x10 crop. That might give a little more space but not too much.

Registered on October 11, 2007, 115 Posts, 223 Comments

Comment posted by dean hebert on February 24, 2011 at 12:32 PM

Thanks Barbara. I put myself into all kinds of "dangerous" situations where a wrong move could result in serious injury, and since I'm usually by myself and a long way from help I try to keep those times to a minimum. I've processed this to bring out the shadows without making the whole image grey. There was no direct sunlight so the "shadows" were not very dark. Also, my moniter isn't calibrated so I just guess alot.

Thanks Dan and Mohammad for your comments.

Registered on August 4, 2010, 70 Posts, 1132 Comments

Comment posted by Adam Gibbs on February 24, 2011 at 1:31 PM

I turned on my computer and my ears (or should I say eyes) started to burn.

Always happens when someone mentions my name

Not to worry Dean getting up on a dark/cold morning is difficult at the best of times.

I think you did well with what you had in front of you. The simplicity works well for me, I especially like the small curves in the snow.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 168 Posts, 870 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Chambers on February 24, 2011 at 2:21 PM

I don't know Dean - defintiely a wow factor in this for me. I love the hi key processing and the very nice comp. I think the square crop was also a good move - well done!!

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

Comment posted by Andreas Resch on February 24, 2011 at 2:27 PM

I prefer the second version minus the dark spot near the border.

Registered on November 14, 2007, 322 Posts, 6101 Comments

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on February 24, 2011 at 3:19 PM

I really like the simplicity of this, Dean. Interesting lights, nice focal point. This is good light too.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 364 Posts, 22328 Comments

Comment posted by Chris Chamberlain on February 24, 2011 at 7:12 PM

I think this is lots better than you seem to think it is!!!!!!!!

Chris

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

Comment posted by Scott Smorra on February 24, 2011 at 7:49 PM

Excellent high key image Dean. The lines and textures are simply beautiful. Well done.

Registered on November 2, 2009, 161 Posts, 2143 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Overacker on February 25, 2011 at 1:36 AM

Dean,

I think this is outstanding. I love the contrast and combination of the high-key look of the snow and patterns with the dark boldness of the wintering twig. Can't offer any suggestions, this is wonderful. I wouldn't crop or change this at all.

Lon

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

Comment posted by Morris McClung on February 25, 2011 at 1:28 PM

Excellent use of lines, light, and shadow. Minimal yet dynamic. Very well done!

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

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on February 25, 2011 at 7:54 PM

Dean, This is wonderful. I really like how the lines in the snow look. I like it just the way you have it here with the square crop. Really nice work!

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

Registered on February 1, 2004, 752 Posts, 14140 Comments