Big Elk River + repost

Ed, a fine looking sunset and a great set of foreground ice patterns.  I really like the hints of color reflected in the ice and your emphasis on the ice.  I know well about the cold, finding it hard to stay exposed for more than about 15-20 minutes even when well bundled up...

I love the wonderful FG and the beautiful sunset colors, but the blue eye is killing it for me.  The brightness of the blue sky essentially makes this 2 different images in one.  You either look at the sky, or you look at the FG and sunset.  I might suggest a rather severe crop to reduce or eliminate the brighter area up top which would bring the viewer's attention back to the middle of the image, to those beautiful patterns in the sand.  Just my .02 cents, of course.

 

Have to agree with Bill on this one. The fg is just so darn good that I'd hate sharing it with that sky. I would crop to include all of the sand reflections and below for starters. Maybe burn in the gold bright if it's still overwhelming. You could also create a fine square image of the bottom area that's mostly blue and punch out those warm tones. You said you had 3 keepers. Somehow I get the feeling that the next 2 may be something like what's suggested.

Ed,

Kudos for you guys that get out there in such extreme temps.  We may hit 60 today or tomorrow, so I can't really feel your pain.  

Beautiful scene and the ice formations upfront are just amazing!  I'm having similar thoughts as Bill and Igor - there's a lot going on, which are presenting several positive options.

As presented I also agree there's a competition between a beautiful sky - and an abstract foreground.  I'm thinking two alternatives:

1. Crop down to remove most of the upper blue sky. Leave the darker clouds, pinks, etc. (make it simple, just about 50% crop above the horizon.  The colors in the remaining clouds are closer and somewhat mimic the colors in the ice and I think it's a more cohesive comp and not as much competition of parts.

2. Second option, although maybe not as good, would be to crop up from the bottom if you wanted to retain the beautiful sunset sky. How much cropping from bottom and/or top to avoid a 50/50 comp would be a personal choice of course - and may not be the most pleasing option

3. Actually, the other viable option is just the ice!  Fabulous ice abstract that can stand on it's own.

Well, sorry if I'm carving this up too much.  The image is quite striking as presented.  I can only speak for myself, but some times we get carried away with what we might do with OTHER PEOPLE's images....  

Lon

EDIT.  Actually Ed, after posting my comments and leaning back in my chair looking at the image in this post, this is actually quite a good "Rule of thirds" composition and simply by the amount of space given to the sky/sunset (1/3 approx) you've told us the ice is the subject and the sky is the complementing element.  So I'll revise and quit while I'm behind.  Perhaps just a smaller crop to eliminate the white wispy cloud up top.

Great fore patterns and color against the warm sky. I jumping on board with the top crop suggestion. For me, the foreground is the meat of the image and less sky would make it jump out a lot more. Looks real nice as presented, but I think a crop would be worth strong consideration. 

I think a crop from the bottom and not the top is the way to go for me.
Taking the dark gray off the bottom makes the sky work well with the rest of the image IMO.

Ed, you know it's cold in the Northeast when it looks like this in Maryland. As other comments have indicated, there is potential here for having two main subjects, and leaving the viewer questioning which is dominant and which is complimentary. I actually like the contrast between the warm tones in the sky and the cool tones in the ice. So i think both can work together. I agree with Dan Kearl, crop some from the bottom, getting rid of a lot of the ice in darkest shadow, but keeping the strong diagonal crack in the ice. My only nitpick is that I would reduce the saturation of the yellows slightly (especially right around the sun)

I hope you took some abstract shots of just the ice patterns as well, as other comments have indicated, they would make a great stand alone subject.

Thanks for your thoughts and suggestions everyone; always appreciated. Here is a repost addressing some of your crop suggestions. I did not go further as my next post has no sky.

Lon: I had to laugh with the "so I can't really feel your pain."

Bill & Igor: I think my next post will be closer to what you are suggesting.

Ed

This is really beautiful, Ed.  I think I agree with Dan and Ed about a crop from the bottom.  There is a lot of impact from the sand/ice patterns.  At first glance, I thought the bigger diagonal patterns of the immediate foreground were demanding a lot of in your face attention.  Not a bad thing, I just happen to like the next set of ice patterns better.  They point into the frame nicely and provide a nice balance with the sky.   It looks great as presented.

Ed,

The repost is fantastic!  thanks for considering the suggestions and taking the time to rework.  Looking forward to the next image.

Lon