Cold Shadows

Gallery: LandscapePosted February 24, 2011202 views11 comments

My last post was kind of an abstract picture of tree shadows on snow. Nothing abstract about this, even though I eliminated all the colors. I suppose I could zoom in on small abstract scenes quite a bit, but I guess I am hooked on a more literal view of reality.

This brook changes daily in the winter, with freezes and thaws and changing water levels so there are new compositions every time I see it. On sunny days, exposure is a real challenge for me, so I do lots of bracketing to avoid blown out snow and black shadows. Got away with a single exposure (no blending) for this shot. It seems to me that high contrast scenes like this are made for black and white.

Canon 50D
Sigma 17-70mm. f/2.8
1/100 sec. @ f/5.6; ISO 100
Tripod; 2-sec. timer
Converted to B&W CS5

Comments

11 comments

Comment posted by Bill Fach on February 24, 2011 at 11:34 PM

Wayne: Well seen and captured and a fine conversion. Top notch shot.>=))>

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1805 Posts, 26981 Comments

Comment posted by David W. Kelly on February 25, 2011 at 12:50 AM

I agree about the high contrast scenes making great BW images. Beautiful lines and comp.

Registered on October 7, 2005, 883 Posts, 6590 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Overacker on February 25, 2011 at 1:58 AM

Wayne,

Wonderful winter scene. Excellent job holding the exposure throughout with a nice range of tonality. Lovely composition too; very quite and kind of invigorating.

Gotta ask though, how does one make reality more literal?

Nice work,

Lon

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

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on February 25, 2011 at 9:02 AM

This is very nice, Wayne. I like the composition you used here. This has a very pleasing feel to me and I enjoy looking at it. I agree too, the b/w was a good choice. Nice work on the exposure.

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

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

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on February 25, 2011 at 11:30 AM

Wayne, I like the S curve of the creek and the diagonals of the shadows. The little tree on left edge provides the balance.

Registered on December 9, 2007, 258 Posts, 9892 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Chambers on February 25, 2011 at 11:31 AM

Oh man, this works so well ni B&W. I'm just eating this up Wayne. Excellent comp and your tones look great!

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

Comment posted by Morris McClung on February 25, 2011 at 1:33 PM

Pefect for a conversion and you did that well. The scene is quite a lovely winterscape.

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

Comment posted by Nancy Lea Sandy on February 25, 2011 at 2:47 PM

A beautiful image and a perfect choice for B&W. I think the angles and curves, as well as the high contrast, make it a good canidate for conversion. Very nicely done.

Registered on January 24, 2011, 576 Posts, 6942 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Pederson on February 26, 2011 at 6:16 AM

Good job with the exposure on this one...I like all the shadows playing over the clumps of snow and B&W looks right to me.

Registered on October 19, 2010, 95 Posts, 470 Comments

Comment posted by R.Bill Moser on February 26, 2011 at 8:33 AM

A wonderful scene here, Wayne. i love the composition. Of course perfect for a black & white conversion

Registered on January 29, 2010, 285 Posts, 4281 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Metternich on February 27, 2011 at 4:01 PM

Nice simple winter composition.

Registered on June 19, 2009, 276 Posts, 6240 Comments