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Frozen lake
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Frozen lake

by Chris Stenger

Gallery: LandscapePosted May 10, 2013377 views7 comments
My first picture in NPN is a typical picture from The Netherlands. The lake is part of a nature reserve in the eastern part of The Netherlands close to where I live. When I'm not travelling I often come here.

Canon 1Ds MkII
16 mm, ISO 100, 1/13 sec, f/11, Gitzo tripod

Comments

7 comments
Comment posted by Harry Lichtman on May 10, 2013 at 8:28 AM
Chris - Like how the clouds mirror the snow patterns on the ice. Simple composition which suites the subject under some nice lighting. While the scene may have had a sloping horizon, I might consider leveling it for balance in the comp. Very minor, nice shot.
Registered on September 17, 2010, 304 Posts, 3507 Comments
Comment posted by Ed Lowe on May 10, 2013 at 8:51 AM
First off welcome to NPN, Chris. I really like the subtle light and the layers in this scene. My only suggestion would be to dial back the cyan a touch in the sky.

Ed
Registered on February 7, 2004, 414 Posts, 7115 Comments
Comment posted by Dietrich Gloger on May 10, 2013 at 12:26 PM
A very well made composition. You have used the elements to a good effect. Not so easy to make landscape photographs in the densely populated, flat netherlands :wink:
Registered on January 26, 2007, 360 Posts, 9876 Comments
Comment posted by Charlie VanTassel on May 10, 2013 at 5:51 PM
This makes me cold just looking at it. It is why some of us now run away to where the sun always shines. :smile: I like the symmetry and the way that the clouds and snow all seem to go to a vanishing point. :toast:
Registered on October 18, 2006, 644 Posts, 4801 Comments
Comment posted by Dennis Harding on May 10, 2013 at 9:11 PM
Excellent first post Chris and welcome to NPN. I love the foreground patterns and your overall comp is great. Personally I would turn back the yellow a bit for a cooler more natural looking sky.
Registered on January 19, 2011, 33 Posts, 408 Comments
Comment posted by Cory O'Neill on May 10, 2013 at 11:02 PM
Hi Chris,
I really like the comp and color here. I don't recognize the location exactly, but having spend time in and around Amsterdam (my sister lives just south of the city center), I definitely recognize the wintery look!

My only nit might be the halo above the trees, where it looks like you burned back the sky somewhat. I might try to blend that so the halo is not obvious, especially in the blues.

Otherwise, a fantastic capture. Keep 'em comin! :toast:
Registered on October 4, 2008, 28 Posts, 273 Comments
Comment posted by Chris Stenger on May 18, 2013 at 4:10 PM
Thanks for all your comments.
Harry: you are right about the sloping horizon. I made the line where the ice meets the land horizontal, but probably it's better to have the second line just above the line I used, horizontal.
Ed: I agree, it's better to reduce the cyan in the sky a bit.
Dietrich: the eastern part of The Netherlands, where I live, is not too bad for landscape photography, but yes I prefer to leave the country for better photo opportunities.
Dennis: it was late in the afternoon when it's normal to have a yellowish sky. Perhaps the sky in reality was less yellow than in the picture, but I like it how it is in the picture.
Cory: your comment about burning the edges is really something I'm struggling with in many pictures. I like to burn the edges to guide the eye to the center of the image, but should it be invisible or not? In many pictures I don't mind seeing the halo. But you are right, the halo is clearly visible and perhaps it's too much. Will think about it.
Registered on May 9, 2013, 27 Posts, 163 Comments