Waving underwater

Gallery: LandscapePosted March 12, 2017324 views12 comments

While this may look like another water lily view from my pond, it's actually a water lily growing in a lake at a nearby National Wildlife refuge. I got started looking at this because many have commented on the colors in the lily leaves in my ice abstracts. This shows that it's in the genetics of at least some water lilies including those growing wild. The creation of this view is a testimony to spending time exploring a subject, as I started out taking pictures of the lily leaves floating on the surface but after something like 15 minutes realized that there were some interesting aspects to the wave motion and the underwater leaves. (7D2, 70-200 f2.8 @ 180mm, 1/160s, f/5.6, iso 800, tripod and polarizer)

Comments

12 comments

Comment posted by Preston Birdwell on March 12, 2017 at 6:13 PM

It looks like the leaf is flying. I really like the dynamics in this, Mark. The implied motion is nicely done. The color and tones look very nice, and I like the hints of blue.
--P

Registered on November 1, 2003, 471 Posts, 5188 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Fach on March 12, 2017 at 7:19 PM

Mark: Your familiarity with your subjects shows in the quality of the results. Well seen, composed and captured. 2 thumbs up.>=))>

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1805 Posts, 26981 Comments

Comment posted by gary phillips on March 12, 2017 at 11:31 PM

No one else that I know could have pulled this off so well, Mark. I know it is a subject that clearly fits your eye, even if it's not yours. The vivid color and wave motion are captured perfectly. Really unique and interesting image.

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

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on March 12, 2017 at 11:52 PM

Great eye to have seen this! Fine detail, and something different and unusual.
Nice work!
sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Harry Lichtman on March 13, 2017 at 7:10 AM

Great find. Looks like a lizard with a big tail. I might be tempted to reduce the blue highlights - maybe crop- the top right corner. Another nice find for your lily series.

Registered on September 17, 2010, 304 Posts, 3507 Comments

Comment posted by Harley Goldman on March 13, 2017 at 1:48 PM

Real nice, Mark! It has a very soothing painterly quality to it and real nice color. This works quite well.

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

Comment posted by John Williams on March 13, 2017 at 2:27 PM

The soft/sharp contrast is stellar Mark. This is something I would have walked right by; great eye to see the potential here.

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

Comment posted by Paul Breitkreuz on March 13, 2017 at 3:44 PM

WOW, a wonderful find here, Mark. One of those little hidden treasure scenes. Very nicely done overall.

Registered on February 25, 2006, 525 Posts, 8448 Comments

Comment posted by scott lanz on March 13, 2017 at 5:34 PM

Well seen and imaged, Mark. Looks muck like a fish swimming up stream to me. Really stands out well.

Registered on November 14, 2003, 840 Posts, 12902 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Overacker on March 13, 2017 at 11:53 PM

Mark,

There is so much to like and appreciate with this one; the wave motion, the natural color you've confirmed and especially the leaf emerging from the depths. The vertical lines work very well to tie everything together.

Perhaps I'll be the only detractor though... the one thing that holds me back from loving this is the clarity - or lack of, of the water. It's murky and just kinda makes this not as "pretty" as it could be (and, yes, know that not all nature images have to be "pretty,") It's just less esthetically appealing for this one person.

Of course, this is no reflection on you as the photographer since you had no choice in what the water was presenting to you. This works as a great nature story and nature abstract.

I'll quit while I'm behind.

Lon

Registered on November 24, 2006, 521 Posts, 19147 Comments

Comment posted by Dave Dillemuth on March 14, 2017 at 2:38 PM

Nice find, Mark. Very unique and intriguing. The lines in the water add nice visual interest.

Registered on December 10, 2015, 104 Posts, 1112 Comments

Comment posted by Wayne Jones on March 15, 2017 at 6:34 PM

Interesting look at the colorful leaf, but what makes this work for me is the pattern of waves and light streaks supporting the plant. That background gives this a semi-abstract look with implied motion. Another fine catch of the intimate beauty that usually goes unnoticed.

Registered on April 18, 2007, 953 Posts, 6435 Comments