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Ground Blizzard

Gallery: Weekly ChallengePosted January 16, 2012305 views6 comments

There were scattered ground blizzards roaming Yellowstone's Lamar Valley during a visit in Dec. 2008. This image was made by waiting about 30 seconds for one swirl of snow that looked like it might reach this group of cottonwood trees. While I didn't change lenses, I did adjust the focal length of my zoom, so that may be a technical violation of my own rules.

I didn't have to move, only rotate slightly. (5D, 24-70 f2.8 @ 66 mm, 1/125 s, f/10, iso 200, +2/3 EV)

Comments

6 comments

Comment posted by Mark Seaver on January 16, 2012 at 8:38 PM

This was about 30 s earlier and at 40 mm focal length.

Registered on January 23, 2011, 1103 Posts, 17270 Comments

Comment posted by Mauro Pasquero on January 17, 2012 at 3:16 AM

Mark, the second shot represents a very impressive image of the blizzard with the cottonwood trees lost in the snow storm !
A very good example of how changing the focal lenght can add drama to the image. Very well done.
Mauro

Registered on January 21, 2010, 650 Posts, 2500 Comments

Comment posted by Varina Patel on January 17, 2012 at 6:37 AM

Neat shot, Mark! The difference between the two is pretty incredible. I hope you weren't too frozen out there. I know Yellowstone can get pretty chilly in December - and those winds will chill you straight to the bone! Looks like it was worth it, though! The blowing snow is wonderful.

Registered on August 22, 2008, 45 Posts, 1578 Comments

Comment posted by Nancy Lea Sandy on January 17, 2012 at 10:18 PM

The change in focal length created an entirely different comp. Much more powerful, IMO. The difference in time helped also, as the wind gust hit the subject trees.

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

Comment posted by RL Potts on January 19, 2012 at 1:06 PM

Good job, Mark. This is my kind of shot. I love atmosphere/weather images. I hope folks look at the larger version which looks even better. This is what zoom lenses are for.

Registered on November 24, 2003, 188 Posts, 985 Comments

Comment posted by Ray Whitt on January 20, 2012 at 8:19 AM

Wonderful image, bracing for that wind gust can almost feel it!

Ray

Registered on May 27, 2011, 92 Posts, 2619 Comments