nature - ice Spring Ice Against Setting Sun (Larger View Available)

The water was coming in and out and washing over the ice and then at one point the water was still but quite briefly. The action of the water over the ice would cause some movement of this suspended ice - low light and movement is challenging so i chose a wide aperture and a higher shutter speed. I also kept a low ISO simply because I had to under-expose to keep the highlights from being lost and knowing that under-exposure and blue is not a good formula for digital noise. A small branch was cloned out. I lightened the whole image but selectively prevented (vector mask) the highlights from blowing. I also did some selective noise reduction. Initial RAW processing with capture NX V1.3 and then Photoshop CS2 for remaining tasks e.g. cloning, copyright info, drop shadow, etc.

Man, Tony, the lighting on this is sublime. What a catch! I think that a tighter crop (attached) would bring out the drama of the light a bit more, but the presentation you have here is already stunning.

Thanks for the nice words and the comments - you have really got me thinking. before I loaded this image i said to myself I really like this one - applied the rule of thirds to the ice and thought there was enough 'character' in the upper left to compliment the main subject. Now you have me thinking about a square crop and to be honest i am not sure which one I will like ... pause ...

 

 

When i approached this ice I was attracted by the form and from my angle of approach, the ice did not have much color. Then I thought - perhaps I could make it more colorful if i could find the right angle and then I got lucky.

 

pause ... still not sure!

Beautiful work, Tony!

Dear Tony

 

Very nice colors and light. I like the silky look of the water background as well as the ice. For what it's worth i think you have two beautiful shots out of that one. The original crop is quite nice and has more of a airy feel to it. However your second crop is more like a macro shot and has more of an abstract quality to it. The colors and forms come out much more vividly and the texture plays a more prominent role in your composition. I think i would leave a bit more room to the left though so the ice structure doesn't look too boxed in. Nicely done. Regards - michel

Thanks.

As always, I appreciate your insights and you are right, my square crop looks a bit boxed in. That's it for PN tonight (actually morning).

Tony, I really like the luminance in this photo. Well captured but I like your original composition better than the other crops because of the negative spacing of the rule of thirds is much more effective. It is like a pearl found in a broader body of revelation. very nicely done tony, hope you had a great Easter and all is well. rek

Tony,

 

Beautiful capture. I think I like the frist one best also. Take care, Patsy

Tony this is so lovely, it is pure magic. I also prefer the first one. Best wishes.

Thanks - larger view available

Very nice ^^^ BR

 

***Ali***

excellent.

I appreciate your visit and positive comments. I am still waiting but 'know' that all is well. Blessings,

Thanks.

Thanks for letting me know which one you like.

I appreciate you generosity - thank you also for visiting. Warm regards,

very nice and simple shot congratulations

Tony,

 

Great shot. The crop question is interesting. I actually like both your versions. This is good either with space around it or with a tighter crop. Both get thumbs up from me. Best wishes-Jim

Wow. This is fantastic. Wonderful light and beautiful blue colours. Just love it.

 

Sidsel

Excellent work Tony! I love it! Bravo! 7/7

 

Best regards Sadegh

This image just blew me away. The gentle undulation of the water is captured perfectly, and the reflections on the ice form some interesting patterns. If not for the branch, I would have viewed this photograph purely as an abstract. The branch adds a dimension of "reality".

 

You are extraordinarily gifted. I love looking at your work.

 

michael

Excellent picture with wonderful light.

I prefer the original crop because I like the soft water background very much.

 

Best Regards Siw

 

 

 

Not much I can add Tony with all the comments that go before me...but I must say I like both your 'takes' on it. Good eye to capture this little snippet of natures wonder....I just love the hues of the blue and the many interesting components of the ice. The reflection of the sun also reminds me of a flame....just beautiful. Congrats....great shot...sincerely, Gail

I really appreciate all of the very generous ratings and comments. This ice find was pure luck - I was driving home from church and needed to fix my photography addiction so I stopped off at this boat launch area in Laprairie Quebec and started to walk around and nothing appeared to be promising. Even the initial spotting of the ice did not have a big appeal until I was abe to position myself to get the sun shining through it.

 

This ice is gone but my tulips (first growth in the Spring) in my garden represent about 4 inches of green and no flowers as yet.

 

Warm regards to everyone,