Woods on a Snowy Evening

Gallery: LandscapePosted February 27, 2012148 views8 comments

I have had in the back of my mind for some time the idea of capturing an image that illustrates Robert Frost's "Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening." This is not it, but I think it's a small step in that direction. If I were thinking of printing this, I'd probably work on the comp more, and possibly eliminate the OOF tree in the LLC. Do you agree?

Snow falling at night in the woods is a concept with many of technical barriers for a photographer. One problem is catching snowflakes in a dim setting without them turning into fog or streaks, as I have here. Maybe the new cameras that handle even higher ISOs well will help.

Did a B&W conversion, but I like the warm/cold colors.

Canon 5DII
Canon 100-400
1/30 sec. @ f/5: ISO 5000
(Yep -- ISO 5,000, but I don't think it hurts here.)

Comments

8 comments

Comment posted by Stuart Williams on February 28, 2012 at 12:41 AM

wayne - the comp here is excellent - i think the branch in the lower left corner is an essential compositional element but i do regret that it is OOF. the lines created by the falling snow and the diagonals of the branches are excellent as is the bark's textures. nice work.

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

Comment posted by Morris McClung on February 28, 2012 at 11:41 AM

I like the moment seized her, Wayne. Great clarity and the opposing lines of snow and log create tension. Well done.
And, yes, crop the oof tree.

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

Comment posted by Bill Caldwell on February 28, 2012 at 1:34 PM

I like the deep rich color of the BG, but I really like the texture of the bark and snow and I'm wishing it was cropped in a little closer to see more of that texture.

Registered on October 10, 2011, 62 Posts, 508 Comments

Comment posted by Benjamin Olson on February 28, 2012 at 8:31 PM

Wonderful textures, and perfect shutter speed! I love the contrast between the tree and the dark background. The oof tree doesn't bother me too much, but cropping it out looks nice too. Beautiful image!

Registered on April 7, 2007, 169 Posts, 725 Comments

Comment posted by Paul Breitkreuz on February 29, 2012 at 12:37 PM

Wayne, this is an excellent idea, and image as well. I do agree about your thoughts on the OOF tree. Overall, I think even if the that were in focus I would look to eliminate it. I think the diagonal main subject tree would benefit even more so here. I'm sure you had thoughts along that line too, but it can always be processed out even if just for a second look see. Regardless, a very fine image.

Registered on February 25, 2006, 525 Posts, 8448 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on February 29, 2012 at 5:35 PM

Wayne, This is really an interesting shot, and I like it. I wish the lower tree in the corner was in focus, then I think it would be great as is. I guess as it is I would crop it out. That also makes for a very nice image that works really well! The sharp detail of the tree looks wonderful with the dark snowy background! Really nice!

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

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

Comment posted by Stan Rose on March 1, 2012 at 7:34 PM

I could do w/o the llhc--the rest of the photo is awesome!

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

Comment posted by Bill Chambers on March 3, 2012 at 1:32 PM

As has been mentioned the OOF limb is somewhat distracting, but otherwise this is really sweet. Love the snow flakes against the dark BG and the texture of the bark. Also love the title as that is my favorite poem. 5000 ISO??? That's amazing quality considering that.

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