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Icy Lines and Lily Pads
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Icy Lines and Lily Pads

by Mark Seaver

Gallery: Weekly ChallengePosted January 3, 2017513 views8 comments
A view of my pond last spring, with a mixture of ice and water during a warming event.  A 9 image stack for dof.  (5D3, 180mm macro L, f/16, 0.5s, iso 200, tripod and cable release)  This is the version with the polarizer rotated to minimize reflections.  The next post is the same scene with the polarizer rotated to maximize the reflections.

Dennis, yes, I've labeled these correctly, the differences that you see are processing differences since the max reflection image (the repost) shows up in RAW with much reduced dynamic range.  By the time I expand the dynamic range, more contrast appears but there is less color in the pads.

Comments

8 comments
Comment posted by Mark Seaver on January 3, 2017 at 5:08 PM
The polarizer rotated to maximize reflections version.
Registered on January 23, 2011, 1103 Posts, 17270 Comments
Comment posted by Barb Pflaum on January 3, 2017 at 6:51 PM
The ice has created some nice diagonal lines.  I like the arrangement of lily pads, too. I prefer the first version with the reflections minimized.
Registered on January 14, 2009, 316 Posts, 2724 Comments
Comment posted by Dennis Plank on January 3, 2017 at 10:17 PM
Wonderful ice patterns around the lily pads with all kinds of diagonals running around the image, Mark.  I also like the diagonal arrangement of the four lily pads from lower right to upper left.  Are you sure you have these labeled correctly?  The first post looks like it has more reflection and the repost less-at least I'm seeing more contrast and saturation in the second post.

devil
Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments
Comment posted by Jim Gavin on January 3, 2017 at 10:51 PM
I see the second one as having more reflections, and although both are exceptional, I prefer the second. The muted colors are wonderful. 
Registered on August 14, 2008, 293 Posts, 1250 Comments
Comment posted by Paul Breitkreuz on January 4, 2017 at 9:00 AM
WOW, what a significant difference in the two images here, Mark. Thanks for sharing the comparisons. I wish we saw more of those technical examples giving credence to reasons behind certain approaches.

Regardless, the randomness or scattered patterns of the diagonals make this work so well for this WC.......laugh




 
Registered on February 25, 2006, 525 Posts, 8448 Comments
Comment posted by Patricia Brundage on January 4, 2017 at 9:25 AM
Love these shots from your pond.  The inclusion of ice formations maximizes nature's designs.  Thanks for posting both versions.  I like the first post best.
Registered on March 23, 2006, 1111 Posts, 6531 Comments
Comment posted by Ian Wolfenden on January 5, 2017 at 10:56 AM
Interesting to see the two versions, Mark.  I like both, and I guess any preference is very subjective.  Perhaps the extra bite and slightly higher contrast of the second version just has the edge for me.
Registered on May 18, 2007, 1108 Posts, 7647 Comments
Comment posted by Lori Lafargue on January 9, 2017 at 11:48 PM
Mark, this is nature at it's best, and you have captured it wonderfully as photography at it's best times 2!  I also love the diagonals and random ice patterns made by a cold and warming and cooling weather pattern.  The colors, comp, dof and lighting makes for a great image. I prefer the second, higher contrast, personally. I have many lily pad images but none so amazing as this...
Lori
Registered on September 30, 2016, 54 Posts, 59 Comments