Nature Photographers Network
This is the preserved archive of the original Nature Photographers Network. The community continues at naturephotographers.network.
After the Snow + rp
‹ PreviousLandscape GalleryNext ›

After the Snow + rp

by Nick Bristol

Gallery: LandscapePosted January 31, 2017285 views16 comments
This is another picture I made last week after the snow storm we had. I made this one up on the ridge in Governor Dodge State Park which is only about 15 miles from my home. I had been in the park early on this morning to photograph and after a couple of hours I decided to head back towards home. Then the sky started to change and I really liked the looks of the light and clouds so I headed back into the park again and made this picture. Larger version much better.
24mm, ISO 400, F/14 at 1/400 sec.

Comments

16 comments
Comment posted by Lon Overacker on January 31, 2017 at 12:21 PM
Nick,

I like this a whole lot!  What strikes me most is the color. Very subtle hues of blue and golden browns and even some subtle reddish-browns just make a lovely winter color palette.

Minor, tweak. Even though I expect the landscape has some low-rising hills, and isn't exactly flat off in the distance, but I get the perception of a slight CW rotation. Give the randomness of trees, I don't think a rotation would have any ill effects.  I'm also torn about the tiny tree way off in the distance on the right edge.  Either a clone, or a slight crop - I like a very slight crop off top, bottom and right. Again, very, very minor and personal choice tweaks.

This is simply a very pleasing rural winter scene.

Lon
Registered on November 24, 2006, 521 Posts, 19147 Comments
Comment posted by Nick Bristol on January 31, 2017 at 1:34 PM
Thanks Lon! I did this version with the crops and do like it. I wasn't sure about the rotation so didn't do that yet, but maybe others will have some thoughts on that as well. I appreciate your suggestions and thoughts on it. Thinking about doing a winter print with this one so fine tuning it is worthwhile. 
My favorite thing here was the color tones as well and I do enjoy the overall look of this scene. Looks and feels quite Wisconsin to me. cool Nick  Click the image for larger view.
Registered on February 1, 2004, 752 Posts, 14140 Comments
Comment posted by Lon Overacker on January 31, 2017 at 2:48 PM
Exactly what I was thinking about! Thanks for taking the time.  As far as the horizon, I get, and I'm guessing most viewers will too, that the landscape isn't always flat and it's clear the tree-covered rounded landscape on the left is slightly more elevated, thus giving the perception.... and it is all about perception.

Nice work! Love the repost.

Lon
Registered on November 24, 2006, 521 Posts, 19147 Comments
Comment posted by Igor Doncov on January 31, 2017 at 5:33 PM
I'm not sure, Nick. I like them both. Can't say one is better than the other. I may like the original a bit more. I liked the big sky and all that space around the trees.
Registered on November 22, 2014, 189 Posts, 2733 Comments
Comment posted by gary phillips on January 31, 2017 at 8:45 PM
I think I like the original, Nick.  I like big skies, and I might even add some additional contrast to the sky.  I talking just a little bit.  The subtleness of the light is important to the rest of the image.  I like Lon's suggestion to remove the far off tree along the right edge.   Very nice.
Registered on October 24, 2013, 185 Posts, 4136 Comments
Comment posted by Genny K. on January 31, 2017 at 10:02 PM
I really like this.  It's hard to describe what the feeling is that it puts out. It's like a wintertime still life painting.  You almost hold your breath, so nothing changes while you look at it.
The colors work so well, and even though the comp does not have one really big focus point, there's enough there to keep my eyes wandering all around the image.  Even those grasses in the FG don't bother me; they make it feel as though you are standing in the image.  I know, I'm the strange one on this, but I prefer the original image.  For me, it balances out better.
Really nicely done!!
Registered on June 5, 2006, 132 Posts, 2001 Comments
Comment posted by Mark Seaver on February 1, 2017 at 4:31 PM
This is a beautiful, open country winter scene, Nick.  You've captured the inviting chilliness and sense of space very well.  I agree that the tree silhouettes and the variety of subtle colors are what make this so good.  Initially, I thought that cropping that little tree in the distance would reduce the fine sense of depth, but in viewing the repost, the depth is still there.  I do think that sense of depth is an important part of this view.  I wouldn't rotate it.
Registered on January 23, 2011, 1103 Posts, 17270 Comments
Comment posted by Richard Teller on February 1, 2017 at 6:32 PM
I like the image, both of them. The clouds is what puts the finishing touches on this image for me. The different layers and shapes are really nice. 
Registered on August 23, 2010, 1162 Posts, 6692 Comments
Comment posted by Harry Lichtman on February 1, 2017 at 7:44 PM
Super nice delicate detail in this, and the soft lighting allows all of the nuances to show through.  The 2 tal grasses left of center at the bottom of the frame are a little distracting, I guess the way they are cut off, but very minor considering the rest of the image.  I do like the definition in the clouds.
Registered on September 17, 2010, 304 Posts, 3507 Comments
Comment posted by scott lanz on February 1, 2017 at 8:21 PM
Put me down for the original as well, Nick. Beautiful winterscape all around. 
Registered on November 14, 2003, 840 Posts, 12902 Comments
Comment posted by Brian Schrayer on February 1, 2017 at 9:59 PM
This image has a much more moody feel to it compared to your previous post.  The texture in the clouds as well as the subtle color and tonality in the clouds is beautiful.  The scene gets kind of busy in the middle of the frame.  I wonder if a lower perspective would have placed more of the trees higher in the frame where the details would stand out more with the sky as the background.  
Registered on May 28, 2004, 114 Posts, 2890 Comments
Comment posted by Dave Dillemuth on February 2, 2017 at 1:09 PM
This is gorgeous, Nick. Love the understated colors and the snow covered trees give it a wonderful delicate feel. I personally prefer the first version as I think the more expansive sky enhance the overall look. A minor suggestion: if it were mine I would try to clone out those 3 sticks protruding from the bottom (center left) of the frame. They tend to catch my eye. Not a deal breaker but I think the comp. would be cleaner without them.
Registered on December 10, 2015, 104 Posts, 1112 Comments
Comment posted by Harley Goldman on February 3, 2017 at 10:42 AM
Real nice understated scene. Put me down for the repost. And the leveling looks good to my eye as is. 
Registered on November 19, 2003, 586 Posts, 11271 Comments
Comment posted by Nick Bristol on February 6, 2017 at 3:32 PM
Thanks to all of you for your thoughts on this. I very much appreciate the suggestions too. I think I have the master file ready for a print now so looking forward to seeing it coming out of my printer at 24x40...that's always fun and kind of exciting for me...cool
Registered on February 1, 2004, 752 Posts, 14140 Comments
Comment posted by John Tobias on February 7, 2017 at 11:25 PM
A pleasant winter scene.  I like that you found a composition in what easily could have been passed by.  For myself, I would like a bit more detail in the FG.  Thanks for sharing.
Registered on September 12, 2009, 2120 Posts, 6455 Comments
Comment posted by Nick Bristol on February 8, 2017 at 7:00 PM
John, Thank you! I appreciate getting your thoughts on this. I think in the larger version of the repost there is a little more foreground detail. Best to you, Nick
Registered on February 1, 2004, 752 Posts, 14140 Comments