The Only Sound

Gallery: LandscapePosted February 11, 2014297 views18 comments

... in the forest was the gentle babbling of the brook.

I love the quiet of the woods after a snowfall when there is no wind. It was easy to tell I was approaching the brook because the water made the only sound in the forest. The curves of the snow on the north bank (on the right here) caught my eye, but I could not find a good angle for the shot until I got downstream and found an ice bridge over some quiet water. I don't normally trust the ice here, but multiple deer tracks crossing the brook reassured me, so I shot this from over the middle of the stream.

QUESTION: Does the warm tone seem out of place here? I used a warm tone on this because I shot it as sunset, and the warmer highlights seem to feel right to me to reflect the time.

Canon 5D3
Canon 24-105mm.
1/2 sec. @ f/8; ISO 100
B&W conversion with Nik Silver Effex plus with minimal effects other than a warm tone; then "cooled" only the shadows in PS6.

Comments

18 comments

Comment posted by Nathan Apodaca on February 11, 2014 at 1:22 PM

Perfect title... The warm tone seems fine to me (I can see it easily going to a cooler tone just as easily also), but I am viewing this on a laptop, so take this with a grain of salt. I like the ice formations tucked under the large, round, blanket of snow, just hanging over the water.

Registered on November 16, 2011, 67 Posts, 1127 Comments

Comment posted by Ronald Murphy on February 11, 2014 at 1:22 PM

I too like those bright edges on the right (I think that's what you're referring to) and I like the warm tone. I might lift the mid-darks a little to give a little more feel of brightness to it.

Registered on March 13, 2012, 279 Posts, 975 Comments

Comment posted by Chris Stenger on February 11, 2014 at 2:50 PM

Nice image and well processed. The warm tone is fine for me. I'm not a great fan of the (more or less) square format and I'm wondering if a more panoramic format would do better for me. Great image anyway

Registered on May 9, 2013, 27 Posts, 163 Comments

Comment posted by Michael Cothran on February 11, 2014 at 3:39 PM

You can "hear" the quiet. Fresh snow always seems to add a softening affect, like a sound barrier. I'm not crazy about the warm tone, but it's subtle. I think I would prefer a clean, neutral tone instead. This image really does evoke a sense of peace and tranquility.

Registered on December 5, 2012, 31 Posts, 730 Comments

Comment posted by R.Bill Moser on February 11, 2014 at 3:44 PM

Wayne, this is a lovely comp. I love how the creek leads the eye through the scene. The black and white conversion works fine ....I'm personnaly not quiet sure about the warm toning but on second look I think it fits the scene.

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

Comment posted by Morris McClung on February 11, 2014 at 6:30 PM

I love that stillness and quiet that comes with heavy snow. Love the treatment you gave this one, Wayne, and the comp and clarity are excellent.

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

Comment posted by Richard Teller on February 11, 2014 at 7:07 PM

Wayne, great image. I really like the composition and detail. Mostly I like the feel you captured.

Registered on August 23, 2010, 1162 Posts, 6692 Comments

Comment posted by Scott Smorra on February 11, 2014 at 9:49 PM

I usually prefer cooler tones with snow, but I understand what you were going for here and it works for me. Nice depth and details in the larger version.

Registered on November 2, 2009, 161 Posts, 2143 Comments

Comment posted by Stuart Williams on February 11, 2014 at 11:15 PM

wayne, looks good to me. i don't find the tone off-putting at all. It is interesting to note that LensWork uses a slightly warm tone (almost that of yours) for all their publications (in b&w) because the editor believes that it adds *dimension* to the image irrespective of subject. there's certainly a feeling of depth to this of yours.

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

Comment posted by gary phillips on February 12, 2014 at 12:02 AM

Really a tranquil scene, Wayne. I think I like the warm tone here. Wonderful comp and I love the detail in the snow and ice. Great blacks in the shadows and a wonderful range of tones overall. Sweet winter scene.

Registered on October 24, 2013, 185 Posts, 4136 Comments

Comment posted by Navin Sarma on February 12, 2014 at 10:16 AM

I didn't even notice the warmth, really. This looks very realistic of a winter sunset scene. Beautiful as presented.

Registered on July 17, 2011, 233 Posts, 1373 Comments

Comment posted by Jeff Bushnell on February 12, 2014 at 10:43 AM

I love the peacefulness of this scene. Makes me wish I was there. Nicely done!

Registered on April 3, 2011, 20 Posts, 122 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Seaver on February 12, 2014 at 1:43 PM

Lovely look at this stream and the heavy covering of snow. Makes me want to strap on my snowshoes and go for a walk. I don't see this as warm on my calibrated monitor, in fact, the greyness of the trees adds a distinct coolness for me. I only notice the warm tone when I compare the image to the white browser page. The larger version has much more presence, especially in the trees at the back.

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

Comment posted by Bill Chambers on February 12, 2014 at 4:05 PM

Beautiful Wayne. Lovely composition and the texture of the snow is perfect. Makes a Florida boy want to visit the north country.

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

Comment posted by John Williams on February 13, 2014 at 3:40 PM

Lovely little section Wayne. I like the warm, but would prefer that the brightest areas be brighter and a touch more neutral (leaving this level of warmth for the midtones).

Registered on September 6, 2007, 221 Posts, 5985 Comments

Comment posted by Kah Kit Yoong on February 15, 2014 at 11:48 PM

A very nice composition. I think John Williams was spot on with his comment.

Registered on September 27, 2006, 636 Posts, 10682 Comments

Comment posted by Peter Richter on February 16, 2014 at 12:09 PM

There is a wonderful natural look to your image for me, Wayne. You make me feel like standing in the middle of this appealing wintry scene.

Peter

Registered on November 10, 2010, 218 Posts, 2723 Comments

Comment posted by Lucy Aron on April 26, 2014 at 8:24 PM

Delicious image. B & W a perfect choice. Good balance between the elements.

Registered on February 25, 2011, 189 Posts, 1160 Comments