Cave Point

Wow, that is unusual!  Bizarre.  Neat shot. 

Excellent use of directional light, Nick. The elements in this image are almost surreal - makes the spot look like a medieval painting.

What an unsual image. They look like story book castles or something built to defend from invaders. There's a fantasy feel to this, as though from a fairy tale. It doesn't look particularly cold or frightening really. I can't think of anything to suggest other than basic technical suggestions. The tree trunks on the ulc seem to draw attention and could be darkened down. Although they do add to the image. Naw, just keep them as they are. Nice imaginative find on your part.I can see what drew you to this.

Bizarre is the right word! If the landscape had been snow covered, it would have been a beautiful winter photo, but the fact that everything most definitely does not look like winter, except for those crazy ice structures, makes it a phenomenal picture. The two seasons don't seem to match, yet they blend perfectly in this photo, and I absolutely love that. Perfect light for the job too!

Nick, the warming light and the ice structures work interestingly together for me. Although it is essential to include the surroundings to fully understand this exceptional scene, I am curious to see some more intimate details of the ice in addition.

Peter

What an awesome site - I love the exposure and the framing of this shot

Nick,

It's simply fascinating and amazing what Mother Nature can create and display for us.  I find the colors and saturation wonderful here. (with one teenie exception - some small patches of snow in the bg have a bit too much cyan - but that's getting picky.) The light is exceptional.

I am curious about something.  Clearly this is cropped to the narrower format.  I like the final presentation here, so no nits.  Just curious what prompted the crop? something below you wanted to exclude?  No biggie.  

Lon

 

Thanks to all of you for your thoughts on this one. Much appreciated and glad you enjoyed it.
Lon, Thanks, and you are right. I didn't like the dirty ice in the lower part of the scene and didn't think I could clean it up very good so decided to crop it out. This version shows the lower part of the original scene and also a little of the look before processing it for NPN. In the picture I posted I also took some yellow out of the dirty ice that was left in the crop by using selective color in CS4 with the hopes it would look a little cleaner. The day before I shot this the ice had a cleaner look I think. Ryan might have captured it that way..Cheers, Nick

Thanks Nick!  You made a wise choice!  I haven't figured out how to make clean snow or ice from dirty snow.... I have a hard enough time with color... 

Nick,
Nice image. Really like the mix of cool and warm tones and those ice formations are a strong visual element. 

Nick, this is spectacular!  I'm loving the warm cool contrast between the ice and the lake plus clouds.  The ice, of course, is awesome also.

The pano crop worked out nicely and those ice formations are spectacular, Nick. Love the side lighting BTW. Looks like you and Ryan had a good trip.

Ed

I prefer the original view, Nick. I prefer seeing the ice formations in the landscape vs. isolated. The light is very nice and well captured/processed. 

Thanks a lot guys for all of your comments! 
Scott, The extra post was just to show Lon why I went with the pano crop. The second image shows the ice I didn't want in the frame. 
Ed, Yes, Even though very cold we had a great time. Thanks all, Nick

Hi Nick     Looks  like an entrance to a  temple    with frozen deitys  stanting in front.   this  is  some  spectacular  scene. beautifully captured


Albert Darmo
Canada

Hi Albert, Thanks for taking time to comment and as always it is nice to get your thoughts. Glad you liked it. Nick

Hi Nick,

This image is looking really good. I really enjoy those ice formations,first hand experience, and the warmth of the rising sun is a beautiful way to compliment the ice and trees. The image flows very nicely too, and this image is bringing  me back to those beautifully calm morning.

Great stuff

I will always share my photography locations with fellow photographers I respect Nick, anytime.

Thanks Ryan! That was a fun trip. Nick