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Icy Magnolia

Gallery: Weekly ChallengePosted January 28, 2013308 views14 comments

We had a dusting of snow here Friday followed by bright sun with high temps in the upper 20s. This allowed some melting of the snow on the leaves of our Magnolia tree and formed some small icicles. I had lots of fun finding the right viewing angle so that refraction in the ice would add rainbow effects and starbursts. This is a nearly life size look at one icicle with a bit of melting going on so that the very tip is is liquid water. Processed with TK's triple play and some luminosity painting. (5D3, 100mm macro L, 1/250, f/8, iso 400, tripod)

Comments

14 comments

Comment posted by John Tobias on January 28, 2013 at 12:27 PM

Neat photo Mark! I like the colors, textures and patterns in this image. the BG works nicely too IMHO. Thanks for sharing.

Registered on September 12, 2009, 2120 Posts, 6455 Comments

Comment posted by Carolyn Derstine on January 28, 2013 at 1:16 PM

One of my favorite things to photograph in the winter. . .when I can find them. As you said, it can be quite fun experimenting with all the various comps and effects to be had. Great job on this, Mark! Love all the details in the icicle, the colors ripples in the icicle, the nice background, and of course, the sun star. Very neat find and well done.

Registered on February 16, 2011, 610 Posts, 3684 Comments

Comment posted by Scott Fricke on January 28, 2013 at 2:25 PM

Great image Mark! I love the detail in the large version with the sunbursts, the patterns in ice and the refraction as you mentioned. It's always amazing to see the detail and intricacies in such small objects that aren't usually visible to the naked eye.

Registered on January 19, 2007, 133 Posts, 1448 Comments

Comment posted by RL Potts on January 28, 2013 at 3:14 PM

The care you took in setting this up definitely shows. The detail, the sparkle, and the light are all excellent. The background is smooth, yet realistic. And kudos for the scale appropriate to a macro challenge.

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

Comment posted by William Gillis on January 28, 2013 at 8:20 PM

A superb image Mark.Your patience certainly paid off Well done.

William Gillis

Registered on November 28, 2011, 17 Posts, 204 Comments

Comment posted by scott lanz on January 28, 2013 at 8:40 PM

Excellent macro image, Mark.

Registered on November 14, 2003, 840 Posts, 12902 Comments

Comment posted by Holly Morris on January 28, 2013 at 9:25 PM

Love the detail, background colors...I don't have any complaints. Haven't been able to get out and photograph the snow/ice around here lately, been too sick. Like how you got a hint of a sparkle starting...
HollyMorris

Registered on October 9, 2012, 66 Posts, 112 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Graham on January 28, 2013 at 10:10 PM

well worth the effort, Mark. I like the detail you captured in the ice and the starburst is a nice addition.

Registered on August 22, 2006, 842 Posts, 2824 Comments

Comment posted by David E Lester on January 28, 2013 at 11:44 PM

Excellent Mark...super shot!!

Registered on March 24, 2010, 155 Posts, 793 Comments

Comment posted by Wayne Jones on January 29, 2013 at 11:17 PM

Man, the lighting, angle and processing is superb. Great work on the background, too.

Registered on April 18, 2007, 953 Posts, 6435 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on February 1, 2013 at 9:06 AM

Beautiful, Mark. I love the internal reflections toward the bottom.

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on February 6, 2013 at 6:27 PM

Very nice Mark, the complimentary 'banded' BG colors really work well for this.
Congrats on your WP

Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on February 9, 2013 at 3:15 PM

Sweet! Congrats on the WP!
Sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Fach on February 11, 2013 at 8:17 AM

Mark: What a great find and a marvelous capture. I don't envy you the cold but I guess I do envy you the experience. Guess I'll settle for seeing this from afar. Congrats on a fine shot. >=))>

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