Standing Out

Gallery: LandscapePosted February 13, 20143,066 views21 comments

The wind in the Columbia River Gorge can blow strongly from the east in winter. It pours cold air into the western Gorge and Portland area, leading to ice and snow when it meets moisture coming from the Pacific. I photographed this little tree hanging tough while out photographing waterfall ice last weekend.

Nikon D7100
Nikon 18.0-70.0 mm f/3.5-4.5 at 70.0 mm (cropped)
1/20 sec at f/16 and ISO 100

Comments

21 comments

Comment posted by Chet Dowell on February 13, 2014 at 4:23 PM

I like this photo a lot, John. Its has a subtle but powerful impact. Its a neat story visually told. Well done. Chet

Registered on December 3, 2012, 237 Posts, 1171 Comments

Comment posted by Harley Goldman on February 13, 2014 at 5:45 PM

What Chet said! I like it too.

Registered on November 19, 2003, 586 Posts, 11271 Comments

Comment posted by Kathy Barnhart on February 13, 2014 at 6:07 PM

Love the horizontal snow and vertical trees, and I love the little one hanging on and standing out. You must have been hanging on too! Very nice, with black and white a good choice here.

Registered on November 11, 2011, 404 Posts, 1639 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Chambers on February 13, 2014 at 7:06 PM

Great action shot John, and very graphic.

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

Comment posted by Genny K. on February 13, 2014 at 7:23 PM

Really nicely done. There's just something about this that is compelling. It's like one of those inspirational posters you see. Simple but strong message.

Registered on June 5, 2006, 132 Posts, 2001 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Seaver on February 13, 2014 at 8:03 PM

Looks like our area last night (ended with more than 1 foot of snow). Fine catch on the blowing snow and that one dark tree against the gray grasses and trees behind. Very simple and powerful, well seen.

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

Comment posted by Ed Lowe on February 13, 2014 at 9:04 PM

Wow! Beautifully done, John. The movement of the blowing snow is very eye catching and that solitary tree by itself tells the story perfectly. I really like what you pulled off here.

Ed

Registered on February 7, 2004, 414 Posts, 7115 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Teller on February 13, 2014 at 11:19 PM

This image just feels cold. Very well photographed.

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

Comment posted by Stuart Williams on February 13, 2014 at 11:43 PM

gorgeous silver tones - i'm liking this, john.

edit: i've come back to it because i like it so much. i'd consider slicing a tiny bit off the left side (to get rid of that horizontal branch). mesmerising.

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

Comment posted by gary phillips on February 14, 2014 at 12:32 AM

I'm pretty sure the thing hanging tough was you, John. It does not look inviting at all. Very graphic, very well composed, a very unique image. Love it.!

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

Comment posted by Dietrich Gloger on February 14, 2014 at 1:07 AM

That looks "cool" John. It is not always easy to convey such conditions effectively, but it worked out well in this case!

Registered on January 26, 2007, 360 Posts, 9876 Comments

Comment posted by Morris McClung on February 14, 2014 at 10:57 AM

The b&w works great here to reduce this to tones and lines. A cold wintry feel to it for sure. The little tree makes the shot imo.

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

Comment posted by Roel Wijtmans on February 14, 2014 at 11:42 AM

I like this one too, especially how the little one is facing the snowstorm. Well done!

Registered on September 30, 2012, 116 Posts, 2257 Comments

Comment posted by Nancy Lea Sandy on February 14, 2014 at 11:57 AM

Brrr! This is pretty though and the lone little tree makes a bold statement in all that blowing snow. Nice

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

Comment posted by Sandipan Dutta on February 14, 2014 at 12:40 PM

Just perfect choice of shutter speed ... love the effect here.

Registered on March 9, 2009, 171 Posts, 493 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Reid on February 15, 2014 at 10:38 AM

Simple and beautiful John with a wonderful cold feel and great action in the scene. Nicely done. I envy you guys getting snow, still none here yet just rain.

Registered on January 27, 2013, 65 Posts, 2460 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on February 15, 2014 at 1:11 PM

John, I love the look and mood of this image!! Your shutter speed worked perfectly here to capture the feel. Excellent work!

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

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

Comment posted by Navin Sarma on February 15, 2014 at 2:10 PM

Spectacular, John! Amazing lines to this one -- the bg trees, the horizontal snow, and dappled light on the grass. Works perfectly well in harmony. Guess you have perfected those "newly" gained B&W skills!

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

Comment posted by Scott Smorra on February 15, 2014 at 6:20 PM

Very powerful image John. The shutter speed here is perfect to convey how hard the wind blows out in the gorge. The b/w processing looks great was well.