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Waves in a Puddle (early spring melt)
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Waves in a Puddle (early spring melt)

by Mary Dennis

Gallery: LandscapePosted March 2, 20081,799 views37 comments
I'm a little uncertain about how other people will react to this image. It may be one of those scenes in nature that is just really cool to look at in person but not does not translate very well through a photograph. This is a puddle in the woods about two inches deep over a layer of ice. The wind was blowing, the sun was in and out of the clouds and it all made for a very interesting abstract-like nature show. Don't laugh--I entertain easily! :wink: Let me know what you think. Thanks!

Comments

37 comments
Comment posted by Bill Chambers on March 2, 2008 at 4:11 PM
Very nice abstract Mary! Very enjoyable.
Registered on April 10, 2005, 753 Posts, 21216 Comments
Comment posted by John&Patty Benway on March 2, 2008 at 4:15 PM
I like this Mary, subtle colors, and very well composed. The bright spots look like mist. Beautifully seen and done.

John
Registered on May 12, 2006, 626 Posts, 8700 Comments
Comment posted by Rune Hansen on March 2, 2008 at 4:25 PM
This is fascinating to me. Its very abstract and it take some time to figure out what you see, but I enjoy the journey!

Rune Hansen
Registered on January 21, 2008, 40 Posts, 420 Comments
Comment posted by Jim Jirka on March 2, 2008 at 4:25 PM
All I can say is that I find your outlook at scenes very refreshing. You always amaze me with what you capture and all of them are outstanding. Again a very well seen snippet of the whole.
Registered on November 1, 2003, 254 Posts, 1620 Comments
Comment posted by Kerry Leibowitz on March 2, 2008 at 4:42 PM
This is really well seen, Mary. There's just enough shape outline, tonal variation and color to make this an extremely interesting abstract.
Registered on November 1, 2003, 167 Posts, 5800 Comments
Comment posted by Guy Tal on March 2, 2008 at 6:38 PM
Uncertain? This is incredible. At first glance it looks like a tile of polished marble, then the detail and meaning start to unfold. It's a wonderful visual experience.

Guy
Registered on November 1, 2003, 566 Posts, 15507 Comments
Comment posted by Arnab Banerjee on March 2, 2008 at 7:06 PM
Surely not everyone's cup of tea, but I like these images and this one is surely a winner. Very subtle, intricate with a story
Registered on January 3, 2007, 313 Posts, 2270 Comments
Comment posted by Marc Adamus on March 2, 2008 at 7:27 PM
Easily one of the very best nature abstracts I've ever seen and possibly even my favorite of your work, Mary. Spectacular shot on many levels. :toast:
Registered on September 17, 2005, 780 Posts, 8091 Comments
Comment posted by Harley Goldman on March 2, 2008 at 7:34 PM
I rather like it. A huge amount of detail, but not in an overwhelming way. Not at all what I expected from the thumbnail. Very nice work.
Registered on November 19, 2003, 586 Posts, 11271 Comments
Comment posted by Matthew Cromer on March 2, 2008 at 9:01 PM
Mary, this is simply wonderful and beautiful.
Registered on November 8, 2003, 42 Posts, 657 Comments
Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on March 2, 2008 at 9:26 PM
This has your signature all over it, Mary. Pardon me of saying it again, but your eye and feel for the light is in a league of its own.
Registered on November 1, 2003, 364 Posts, 22328 Comments
Comment posted by Lon Overacker on March 2, 2008 at 9:33 PM
Mary,

This may not translate well to some as a photograph, but what this is translating for me, is ART! If anyone in art circles says that "anyone can take a photograph," we can point to this image and say that this took vision. As mentioned, this is incredible. Someone else might look at this and see the bright areas and say they're distracting - I look at this and say this borders on "high-key." This could be a marble or travertine tile - or perhaps an acrylic watercolor painting. And no matter what the interpretation, I find this engaging and beautiful.

Just as a fun aside, I think you could rotate this 90deg, three more times and produce three more images! :-)

Congrats Mary, this is masterful.

Lon
Registered on November 24, 2006, 521 Posts, 19147 Comments
Comment posted by Kah Kit Yoong on March 2, 2008 at 9:38 PM
Remarkable textures & layers. Top notch abstract art landscape.
Registered on September 27, 2006, 636 Posts, 10682 Comments
Comment posted by Laurent Baig on March 2, 2008 at 10:10 PM
Wow, this is truly excellent! Nice work, Mary
Registered on January 12, 2005, 206 Posts, 6784 Comments
Comment posted by Paul Marcellini on March 2, 2008 at 10:20 PM
Ooh, I like this one. I can picture it on some rag with a deckled edge or whatever. I like the lower contrast.
Registered on November 27, 2007, 250 Posts, 2468 Comments
Comment posted by Mary Dennis on March 2, 2008 at 10:25 PM
Gosh, you just never know really, if what you see and what attracts you to a thing will excite other people. You hope. So I'm glad this one seems to have come across the wires okay. It really was an interesting and enjoyable moment for me and like I said--easy entertainment. :smile: Thank you for all the nice comments. They are greatly valued and appreciated.

ADDED: Lon--you mention flipping this image around. I did a lot of experimenting with that actually, with this image and several others that I shot. You are right that the possibilties are pretty wide open and what a load of fun seeing the effect of the different configurations. In the end, for this shot, I left it as it was shot, but I'm still fiddling with some others and may post them for a fun comaparison. Thanks again for your insights.
Registered on November 1, 2003, 290 Posts, 2897 Comments
Comment posted by Eric Good on March 2, 2008 at 10:32 PM
If this were mine, I would pushed the contrast and saturation and totally ruined a well crafted image. :wink: This is beautifully seen and captured. I wouldn't change a thing... great work!
Registered on March 17, 2007, 116 Posts, 4764 Comments
Comment posted by Stuart Williams on March 3, 2008 at 5:57 AM
mary - rather cool here too!
Registered on December 7, 2007, 247 Posts, 4792 Comments
Comment posted by Pedro Bento on March 3, 2008 at 9:35 AM
This is a really unique and artistic image...LOVE IT :toast:
Registered on September 2, 2007, 45 Posts, 761 Comments
Comment posted by Ryan Shain on March 3, 2008 at 11:21 AM
Mary an excellent study in abstract art!!! :toast:

sweet vision and capture!!!!
Registered on February 20, 2007, 226 Posts, 4571 Comments
Comment posted by Christopher Jordan on March 3, 2008 at 12:06 PM
That is awesome! Extremely well done Mary - I love it!

CJ
Registered on November 1, 2003, 62 Posts, 475 Comments
Comment posted by Christopher Jordan on March 3, 2008 at 12:06 PM
That is awesome! Extremely well done Mary - I love it!

CJ
Registered on November 1, 2003, 62 Posts, 475 Comments
Comment posted by Sam Chrysanthou on March 3, 2008 at 12:34 PM
Lovely abstract here and well composed. I wonder if a slight darkening in processing would tame the highlights just a touch? In any case, a magical scene that keeps the viewer searching for its mysteries.
Registered on December 18, 2007, 71 Posts, 1191 Comments
Comment posted by Leann Greene on March 3, 2008 at 2:35 PM
Very cool and interesting too! I think I want to be you when/if I grow up! Another winner.
Registered on January 25, 2006, 223 Posts, 3566 Comments
Comment posted by Dietrich Gloger on March 3, 2008 at 5:51 PM
I think this is an amazing photograph, simply one of the most compelling and interesting abstracts I have seen. Maybe the blues can be enhanced a bit more, but the subtle colors work excellent here.
Registered on January 26, 2007, 360 Posts, 9876 Comments
Comment posted by Larry Andreasen on March 3, 2008 at 6:40 PM
I've gazed into my fair share of puddles over the years Mary and this one is a winner! I't fun finding beauty where few bother to look! :smile:
Registered on January 17, 2007, 220 Posts, 419 Comments
Comment posted by Kah Kit Yoong on March 4, 2008 at 12:42 AM
Congratulations Mary on the EP. This is one of the most refreshing images I've seen on ESS for a while. An image that I would hang. I would consider toning down the highlights in the right lower corner.
Registered on September 27, 2006, 636 Posts, 10682 Comments
Comment posted by Catherine Reilly on March 4, 2008 at 3:59 AM
What an adventure, this photograph, Mary. I'm not laughing. I'm very impressed with your vision. Many congrats on a well deserved EP. :toast:
Registered on August 16, 2006, 603 Posts, 9192 Comments
Comment posted by Mary Dennis on March 4, 2008 at 9:22 AM
My thanks to all the additional commentors since my last post. Geez, ya never know what you might find in a puddle I guess.

Hey Leann---don't grow up. It's a pain in the knees.

:wink: :smile:
Registered on November 1, 2003, 290 Posts, 2897 Comments
Comment posted by Marc Dilley on March 4, 2008 at 12:46 PM
Mary - This has just enough clues in it to anchor it in reality and be more than abstract only, although it works well as one. I like the subtle baby blues at top L against the off whites and the red stones at BC. A keeper for sure.
Registered on November 21, 2007, 57 Posts, 1494 Comments
Comment posted by Anil Rao on March 4, 2008 at 12:56 PM
Extraordinary! I love it in so many ways. Specially the soft and delicate feel which is the result of your handling of the light.
Registered on November 15, 2003, 234 Posts, 4923 Comments
Comment posted by Darwin Wiggett on March 4, 2008 at 1:12 PM
Love it, light, airy, artistic - takes a sensitive eye to see this stuff! Darwin
Registered on November 1, 2003, 100 Posts, 1327 Comments
Comment posted by Verena & Georg Pop on March 4, 2008 at 3:15 PM
I barely caught that one before it slipped on to page two... :smile:
really, really nice. I wonder if it can be improved with a slight boost in contrast? (maybe just in certain parts of the image... hmmm, no I think it's just perfect...!
georg
Registered on July 5, 2006, 272 Posts, 2823 Comments
Comment posted by Ramona Murdock on March 4, 2008 at 9:13 PM
I really like the blend of shape and colors. Very nice art.
Registered on January 14, 2008, 11 Posts, 17 Comments
Comment posted by Stephen Fogle on March 5, 2008 at 2:13 PM
Once I figured out that I was looking at a reflection of trees and sky, it became a beautiful shot. Almost like sandwiched negs in the darkroom.
Registered on September 29, 2006, 51 Posts, 452 Comments
Comment posted by Joe O'Hara on December 16, 2008 at 10:28 PM
To me this is a charming and remarkable image, very original. Clearly you have a lot of talent. Keep up the good work.
Registered on August 7, 2008, 28 Posts, 65 Comments
Comment posted by Igor Doncov on March 25, 2018 at 10:45 AM
Excellent!!!
Registered on November 22, 2014, 189 Posts, 2733 Comments