Warming Up

Many thanks for taking time to view and comment, I'm very pleased you liked it.

Best Regards

Alf

JOE

Sincere thanks for your thoughtful observations and positive feedback, mhch appreciated.

The inclusion of the man, was a conscious decision at the time of the shot, but also a stroke of luck as there was very few people about and he just happened to be there at the same time the sun illuminated the tree.  I'm glad you share my thoughts relating to the reflection though I have admit it was my first intention to capture a mirror image reflection.

Yes, there is an isssue with the right dominating the left, there are some details to be seen on the left, but they are very subtle and perhaps I should have done more during processing to reveal them further. Though in a way I do like that darkness, it allows the correct interpretation of light and shadow that existed when it was shot.

Very interesting suggestions relating to a B & W version Joe, I might just experiment with those thoughts in mind.

Cheers Joe!

Alf

FALAK

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

Best Regards

Alf

 

 

Beautiful image and fine technical work.

Incredible shot with superb natural light ! The inclusion of the human figure has provided the much needed sense of scale.

Best regards.

Sagnik

Amazing shot, Great light and Superb capture - Well done! I have nothing new to add to all of the other statements.  All the very best,

Very pleasing and nice composition. Title is well chosen.

 

Ben

Scrumptious coloration!  I love the cool vs. warm tones, and the overall lighting is superb.  Hard to say anything helpful after all the comments, but I at least wanted to acknowledge that I saw this, and I love it!  I must say that at first I agreed with Wolfgang about it possibly being too dark in the upper left, but when I clicked on the larger view, it wasn't too dark at all.  It's stunning in the large view!

Very moody indeed, just love it Alf, a spectacle image as always from you, very well done my friend.....all the best Grant.

Alf, admirable composition with magical play of light & colors. The man on land and ripples on water enhances beauty of this superb image. Compliments.

A nice landscape shot, charming and effective as always. The landscape and framing is exceptional. everything is in its appropriate location. Light is really spot on. shadows although is a bit dark, but created a eye-catching contrast.  I personally am a fan of visual effects as reflections, water softness, etc, and ripples here, though natural looking, is a bit away for my taste. Technically speaking, when you have a tripod, you have the opportunity to have a long shot with a closed apperture, large depth of field, get ridding of ripples and moving persons, much brighter and more vivid colors, and more control on focus.

Anyway, this is really atractive shot for me. Bravo.

Hamid.

JIM COWAN

Humble Apolgies my friend!

Somehow I missed responding to your comments, please forgive my imcompetance.

Sincere thanks for your astute observations and comments, very much appreciated. 

You are right, the dull winter days can be quite a challenge and one has to rely on the light for colour and atmosphere. I don't have to tell you that the best time for this is early morning and late evening, and being there at the right moment is the key.

Best Regards

Alf

EMMANUEL

Thank you so much for your interest and encouraging words, much appreciated.

Best Regards

Alf

SAGNIK

I agree with you about the sense of scale, I think it was important in this shot. Ideally the figure would have been passing n closer proximity to the tree, but I was slow to level the camera and shoot.

Many Thanks for your interest and thoughtful contribution.

Kind Regards

Alf

TONY

Sincere thanks for your visit and encouragement, your endorsement always means a lot to me.

Best Regards

Alf

BEN

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

Some people struggle with titles for thier images, but I have to say that the only thing I struggle with is choosing the most appropriate one out of the dozens I usually think of : - ) Sometimes a lively imagination can work in your favour.

Cheers Ben

Alf

CHRISTAL

I have to admit I found the contrasting cool / warm tones pleasing too. I could see where Wolfgang was coming from, and yes there are some details visible when viewed large, but I think it was dark / light inbalance perhaps that he was referring to. Of course another view would be that if there were too much going on to the left of the image it could avert attention away from the intended point of focus, the tree. but invariably I  find it useful to get a variety of views relating to the subject, and your contribution is, as always, most helpful!

I'm really pleased you liked it Christal and thank you most sincerely for your thoughtful feedback.

Best Regards

Alf

GRANT

I was very fortunate to catch the light at this particular moment, it wasn't the shot I envisaged when I set out for this location, but sometimes you have to "roll with it" I captured this image as it presented itself, but the one I sought eluded me because the wind increased. It was a good day though, and I have a few more images to process from that days shooting that I think are worthwhile.

Sincere Thanks for your continued interest and encouragement.

Best Regards

Alf

A. K.

Many Thanks for your thoughtful observations and positive feedback, very much appreciated!

Best Regards

Alf

HAMID  

Sincere Thanks for your interesting observations and thoughtful critique, very much appreciated.

I did use a tripod for this image, indeed as I do for 95% of the photographs I take.

I am quite a fan of long exposures in photography so I understand your reasoning relating to ripples and people. I would also venture that the effects can be stunning. However that type of water smoothing effect wasn't my intention in this instance. And it would be hard to foresee how a long exposure would work in relation to the breeze and the consequential movement of the tree, which would in turn create blur.  The bright light would necessitate something like a 10 stop filter to prolong the exposure enough to create the effects you mentioned and during the 30 second or so exposure the tree would move considerably. On a static day with no wind, there would be no need for a long exposure as the reflection would be perfect, but generally I don't think trees are a good subject for long exposures when the element of wind is present. As for the "person" I'm not always a fan of people in a landscape photograph, sometimes I will go to great lengths to avoid them, but in this case I think he adds some interest and scale.

I don't disagree with you regarding the merits of long exposures, I just don't think it would have worked very welll in this instance

Thank you once again for sharing your thoughts and honest opinions I really do appreciate reading your views.

Best Regards

Alf

 

love the contrast between the strong foreground light and the soft light on the backround treetops....the hiker is an added bonus......nicely done Alf

Very striking light and nice composition,i don't think the ripples make any difference,i had a look at that spot on my last visit to the lakes but could't work out how to go near for a shot (mind you it was later in the day),nice enjoyable work,best regards and keep the good work coming,Harry

Wow, that's quite a scroll down to get to the end of the comments. I feel like I've descended to Middle Earth. That picture could actually be from such a fantastical place. I struggle with the nuances of light, something you have managed masterfully here. Beautiful work, as always.

I am really glad you're doing fine with your artistic works my friend.  Everything on your image has a role and nothing is left to fate.  This is the main advantage of a good  photographer and a good director.

My best wishes!

Panayotis

Hi Alf, I just saw this and had to let you know my thoughts. First the light is stunning. As always the composition is second to none. This is such a great site for images I don't know if I could ever leave. Quite beautiful.

BR,

Holger

Don't mistake me Alf, I don't really believe that balance is a true issue here.

There is some nice detail on the left of the photo (the subtle lighting on the tree tops makes for some nice lines) and the dark areas contrast excellently with the well lit right bringing my attention right where it should be, on the subject and that wonderfully captured man.

Excellent work Alf...

Excellent play of lights & shades depicted with very nice reflection.That person is adding life to this image.Truely an awesome shot.Thanks for sharing.

My best regards.

Kallol

THOM

Yes, you are right the hiker just happened along at the right moment, 5 minutes later the wind increased and the water didn't look the same, so I'm glad I took the shot when I did.  Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts, much appreciated!

Best Regards

Alf

HARRY

The perspective and positioning for this shot is a little bit tricky, there is only one, or maybe two places to get a clear shot and it's from a distance and not close up. I was on the footpath approaching the lake from the south side in near the main road, there is a gap between the trees, the other shot is from further down the bank near the water, but that didn't look as good to me.  Many thanks for your contiunued interest and positive feedback Harry, much appreciated.

Best Regards

Alf

JACK

"Middle Earth"  Yeah I suppose I am a bit of a Hobbit and the title should have been "There and back again"  : - )

 On this occasion I used a tool in NIkon Capture NX called "D Lighting" it actually revealed a lot of detail in the darker area's, in fact I had to bring back some of the dark tones in order to try and reproduce that I saw through the viewfinder. Sincere thanks for your observations and encouraging feedback.

Best Regards

Alf

PANAYOTIS

Thank you so much, for your interest and positive feedback, it really is appreciated! I guess fate is in the hands of the photographer to some extent, as it is that split second decision to click the shutter at that precise moment that will determine the outcome of the shot.

Best Regards

Alf

HOLGER

I always like to read your honest heartfelt thoughts, it's feedback like this, that makes it all worthwhile, and yes I agree, this site continues to inspire me too. The quality and diversity of images is unrivalled I think.

Sincere Thanks & Best Regards

Alf 

JOE

No worries my friend, I like to consider every angle and viewpoint  and as you have a great "eye" your views are considered seriously. But yes, I agree, although there could be a first perception of light inbalance, this begs the question of where the emphasis of light should be, and I think you have just addressed that question perfectly. Cheers Joe, always good to hear from you.

Best Regards

Alf

VLADIMIR

Sincere thanks for you interest and high praise, very much appreciated.

Best Regards

Alf  

KALLOL

Yes, I do think that hiker does add something to the image, scale, human interest maybe, and yes life. I don't always think it's good to have a person in the landscape, but it seemed fitting on this ocassion. Sincere thanks for your visit and positive feedback.

Best Regards

Alf

 

 

 

Alf, my attention goes right to the bright tree and its reflection. Then I want to explore the point some more - then go down the path. The dark clothes on the person makes him standout very nicely. He puts me in the scene as I enjoy early morning walks along my lake as well. I like the ripples - they add reality. Usually I put anything moving so that it is going into the picture, but the human here does not need that as I traveled down the path instead of up it as I explored your shot.

Thanks for your suggestions on my egret. I found them helpful. Please feel free any time to give me honest feedback. Dave

Great contrast of tones. I like the deep colour of the lake against the sunlit bank with the reflection and figure. The tones in the background are more subtle but very effective.

Regards....John

A heart warming image indeed! You got wonderful light there and made the best of it. As small as it is on the picture, the person manages to balance the tree from a compositional standpoint.

Regards, Tibi

DAVID

Many thanks for your interest and observations, much appreciated.

I know just what you mean about a person or vehicle pointing "into" a picture rather than out of it. It is something I also try do accomodate, but on this occassion I just didn't get the chance. The person was there as I placed the camera on the tripod and the breeze increased after that so the shot wasn't the same. And likewise David, your honest opinions and suggestions are always very welcome.

Kind Regards

Alf

JOHN

Many Thanks for stopping by, it was one of those moments when everything just came together and I happened to be there with my camera. I'm very pleased you liked it.

Best Regards

Alf

TIBI

I was fortunate indeed, the light, the person and the and ripples coincided simuletaneously, and of course I took full advantage : - )

Sincere thanks for your interest and kind observations.

Best Regards

Alf

 

 

 

Dear Alf, this is really impressive image with strong 3D effect. Very well done. Best wishes.

Reflections are beautiful, but so many people take reflection pictures that it's tricky to say anything new.  For me, the reflection in this picture is just one element of many.  The person and the way the tree fits into the whole are more important.  The ripples are good, and I don't think the picture would have been better without them.  Particularly in an enlargement, the ripples add an energetic feeling and provide interest.  best, jamie