Holding Back The Storm

BOBBY

Many thanks for your interest and kind words, much appreciated!

Best Regards

Alf

IIKKA

Thank you very much, I'm really pleased you liked it.

Warm Regards

Alf

LESTER

Sincere thanks for your thoughtful critique, much appreciated. I wasn't sure about getting closer to the fence. I didn't want the shot to be dominated by the person and seen as a portrait, it was more of an attempt to show the person in the landscape, as a part of it, if that makes any sense. But I understand your analogy and the significance of the fence within the context of your analogy.

Cheers Lester!

Alf

ALEX

Many thanks for your interest, encouraging comments and thoughtful observations, much appreciated. It can sometimes be a challenge keeping sharpness on a multi layered image but this one seemed to work ok.

Best Regards

Alf

RICHARD

Many thanks for your interest and kind words. As for the "vote" I think you just did : - ) Right there ^^

Cheers Richard!

Alf

PATSY

Good to hear from you and many thanks for your kind words. I like the idea of a book cover, I might even write the book and use the same title "Holding Back The Storm" .........A Novel of stormy passion, intrigue and tradgedy, set in the remote, wild mountanous region of North Wales : - ) I'll send you the first signed copy Patsy .........if I ever get round to writing it : - )

Best Regards

Alf

TONY

Many thanks for stopping by, the light was infinately variable that day as the sun shone briefly through the swift moving clouds, but in the end the inevitable happened and the rain came, followed swiftly by hailstones., it was interesting light though.

Cheers Tony!

Alf

HAMID

You are correct about leveling on multi layered images, thats why I always leave it to one of the last processes. I think I used the gate as a level when originally taking the shot, but there does seem to be some slight difference when comparing it to the distant lake. I think HDR does have a definate place in photography, but I have come to realise it doesn't suit every subject or every situation. A very talented PN friend (Dror Baldinger) also reminded me of the wise words "You should always ask yourself what you are going to achieve with a HDR against a normally processed image" I took his advice and ajusted the image accordingly so that a minimal portion of the HDR image was utilised.

My sincere thanks for your thoughtful and in depth review, it is very much appreciated!

Best Regards

Alf

EYSTEIN

Many Thanks for your interest and positive feedback, much appreciated!

I think he may succeed too........but maybe not with holding back the storm : - )

Kind Regards

Alf

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I think the raincloud sky sets the tone for an image that is all about water = heavy clouds, dried rivulets on the hills, the lake, and the mostly dry stone winding path which you so brilliantly beyond the gate, so if the lake were to overflow, it would practically run out of our monitors.  That man may try to stop sheep, but with all that is behind him, including those buildings, he and the gate is at nature's mercy, but it adds a delightful tension.  Enlarged, this photo practically invites one in to hike around and visit the delights included.  Nice job! Ciao, Donna

Hi Alf,

There is so much already said that it is difficult to add something.  I suspected some HDR, and I read in the comment that you put some in the picture.  This is however done in a very realistic way, which is not easy.  I overdid time and time again. 

It is a picture telling a story. Works for me, well done.

Ben

Lovely - beautiful color tonal range, human interest  and a road leading us through the image to a stormy sky with a heavenly light!

 

PS incredible wealth of detail in the larger view.

Alf,

  I am looking forward to my copy of that book. Take care, Patsy

Hi Alf. I think Countrywise on TV are running a photography competition based on people and/or animals in the countryside. I'm sure this or any number of your images would fit the brief. As usual, exemplary capture and composition! All the best. Sarah.

Outstanding composition.  Everything just comes together so naturally.  Tan/green fields and sky with as was mentioned above the bloke.

What a scene! A stone road is enforcing perspective and a metal fence is a kind of contrast to beautiful nature. A presence of a men makes it really outstanding work...Best regards,vf  

An excellent image Alf! I think he's going to need a bigger gate to hold that one back! A wonderful scene, superbly photographed. Well done guy!

All the best,
Neil

DONNA

Your not wrong about the water, the whole area attracts a much higher than average rainfall, and the none pourus nature of the slate means it gathers in streams and lakes, or is soaked into the peaty earth  to form boggy terrain. You were also right about being at natures mercy, we all were,  and the raw power of it is magnificent to watch....even while your being battered by the hailstones, wind and rain. It is a fascinating area to explore, the remnants of dwellings and churches are dotted everywhere.

Sincere thanks for your unique thoughts and views, I always value your imput and feedback.

Best Regards

Alf

BEN

Many thanks for stopping by, I really appreciate your interest and feedback.   Yes I did use a HDR image as one of the layers and selected and blended parts that I thought enhanced the photograph, in total I would say that about 10- 15% of the image you can see is HDR, the rest I processed normally. I think the inclusion of the person makes a difference in "telling the story" and also it adds interest and scale.

Cheers Ben!

Alf

TONY

Many thanks for your interest and positive feedback Tony. I used to be very hesitant about the inclusion of the "human element" in my landscapes, but I now believe there are ocaissions when it works, and this is one such ocassion. I think that maybe the image would lose its warmth and the composition would appear a little flat without it.

Cheers Tony 

Alf

PATSY

You'll be the first to get it "hot off the press" : - ) signed and dedicated to you..........you might have to wait quite a few years untill I retire though, and have time to write it : - )

Take Care

Alf

SARAH

Many Thanks for your visit and positive feedback, much appreciated! I know "Country File" are running thier annual competition, and I might enter, trouble is you have to get the images printed, then post them, they don't electronic images sent via the net. But I will try and make an effort ........after all "you have to be in it , to win it" as they say : - )

Cheers Sarah!

Alf

MONTE

Many thanks for your interest and vote of confidence. I think in this case the presence of the "bloke" kind of makes it all come together, perhaps without him present it might all look a bit flat and grim.

Cheers Monte!

Alf

VLADIMIR

Thank You so much for your interest and positive feedback, very much appreciated. I think you are right about the presence of the man, it does sem to be a key element.

Best Regards

Alf

NEIL

Sincere Thanks for your interest and kind comments, much appreciated!  Yeah you are right, the gates of St Peter wouldn't hold that one back! And it was proven about 1 hour later when we all got blasted with hailstones and rain.

Cheers Neil!

Alf

 

 

 

 

Hi Alf,

An emotional image.

Great presentation.

Well shot.

Best Regards,  Mike

Alf, it really pops on large view.  It also makes a fine panorama cropped just above the orange gate.

MIKE

Many thanks for your valued imput, much appreciated.  I try to connect through my images, and if there is percieved emotion, then I have succeeded. Very gratifying to know.

Cheers Mike!

Alf

STEVE

Many thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts, much appreciated.

I never even considered that crop, but now you come to mention it, it is quite appealing. Definately something to consider on my next trip to this area.

Cheers Steve!

Alf

 

Hi Alf. Back again! It is Country File that are running the photo competition and not Countrywise! I think I need to pay more attention. Looked on their website and I see what you mean - only printed images accepted, which is a shame but still think it would be worth you entering something. If you do - good luck!!

All the best. Sarah.

There are so many of those type of TV programmes now, and all with a similar title "Country  File, Country Wise" and the latest one "Country Tracks" its hardly surprising you got confuddled : - )

And yeah I should enter something and probably will, its just me being lazy. I do get stuff printed from time ot time and when I do I'm usually very pleased with the results. Thanks again for your encouragement Sarah, it really is appreciated.

Best Regards

Alf

I'm a bit late on getting around to this outstanding composition Alf, there is so much already said about this image that it is difficult to add much more than it is so pleasing to the eye, and love the light HDR efx... very well done my friend regards Grant.

Someone asked me recently why I didn't put humans in my landscape shots. My answer was something like "because it's really difficult to do well". This shot is a beautiful example of doing it well. The perspective, the subdued color and atmospheric mood, the man's straightforward position and stance, his weather-appropriate clothing, all work together to make a highly successful photograph. The implication is that this man belongs in this semi-wild place—the land owner or game warden perhaps. Of course he may be a photographer friend who accompanied you on the trip, but it doesn't really matter.

GRANT

Some people frown on HDR and I can understand why to a degree, because it's often very exaggerated and overcooked. Personally I like some HDR effects, but I think the best ones are the ones that are practically unoticeable. Many Thanks for stopping by an sharing your thoughts Grant, much appreciated!

Best Regards

Alf

JIM

Sincere thanks for a most heartwarming critique. I know exactly what you mean about people in the landscape, they can often look very out of place and distracting. I used to go to great lengths to avoid people in my shots, and still do most of the time. But I have opened my mind a bit more to the possibilties that exist. People do after all, add character, interest and not least scale to an image. It is most gratifying to read your words describing how this man looks like he belongs to this place, as thats exactly how I wanted the shot to look. You half guessed the truth, he is indeed a friend that accompanied me on the trip, but I think his dark clothing and pose at the gate is condusive to making him an authentic part of the scene.

Cheers Jim

Alf

PS. I hope the problems you spoke of are resolved swiftly and painlessly.

Alf, I really can't add anything much to what was already written above... This is a superb photo indeed. I too love the perspective, colors (not overdone at all!) and the clarity of the details visible in your photo. One thing that struck me right away was how much the person does indeed add to your photo... (and seems to fit right in: position-, stance-, and expression-wise, imo) With him leaning on the gate like that; I think that he's a great starting focal point, leading the eye right into your photo.  Really, lovely work, Alf..!

Many thanks for your interest and valuable feedback it is very much appreciated. I have found this to be one of the most challenging area's (geographically) I have ever tried to photograph, the terrain can look very grey, or over bright, and the buildings whilst interesting  are perhaps not great pieces of architecture. I though the inclusion of a person would add life and interest to the scene, and it is most gratifying to learn that you feel that way too. I have tried to imagine the scene without the person, and it seems a bit flat and lifeless, so yeah, people can be a positive addition to landscapes, something I once thought I'd never say : - )

Thanks again Marjolein.

Best Regards

Alf

I particularly like this one amongst your work.  The solidity of the farmer and his stance and gaze towards the camera.  I like the gates, particularly the red one to the left and overall they seem to demonstrate a well managed and kept farm.  The derelict building just off the path gives it a timeless feel.  The clouds contribute to the  atmosphere.  Like others of your images it very much benefits from being viewed large.

Being added to my favourites.

Cheers

Jim

a real fitting title and taken out of a storybook fairy tale... the chap seems so pleased with himself as well .. all the best sam

Good to hear from you, I hope yourself and your good lady are keeping well.

I'm really pleased you liked this one. I thought that the "farmer" and the gates gave a good anchor point to the image too. The older part of the gates being red rusty, andf the part he is leaning on being relatively modern. I did try a similar shot without them, and although it was a nice landscape it just didn't seem to hold the same interest. Many Thanks for your thoughts and positive feedback Jim, much appreciated! And I'm truly honoured that you would consider it a favourite.

Cheers Jim!

Alf

SAM

Yeah I can see your storybook analogy, it does kind of look slightly surreal and yeah he does look a bit smug.......probably because he was the centre of attention : - )

Cheers Sam!

Alf

Just love it, one of your best.  learning.  Best Regards,

A great shot from one of my favourite locations. The whole area is magical for me and you have captured the essence and flavour of the area.

Regards........John