landscape Deep Thoughts & Shallow Margins

Wise words Lester, for it is very often you will see a photograph that has a subject and a composition worthy of praise, yet the harsh mid day light undermines the image.

Also, its just a great time of day or night, there seems to be an element of peace and tranquility, if theres ever going to be a moment that the wind drops and surface of a lake or river looks calm, it is ususally at dawn or dusk.

So most of my photographs are taken at the extreme ends of the day, this just a bit later than intended due to the long hike, but fortunately for me, it coincided with the departure of the low mist that covered the far bank.

Many Thanks for your interest and thoughtful comments, much appreciated!

Best Regards

Alf

RICHARD

I think the rabbit was maybe lurking down that hole I fell down : - )

I took several shots of this lake from just about every angle, but its strange how you can find one position that really seems to "fit" and balance, and you know you've found it as soon as you look through the viewfinder too.  Thats how it seemed with this one.

Sincere thanks for your thoughts and positive feedback!

Best Regards

Alf

DONNA

I quite liked that bit of grass too, I was a tad dissapointed to find that I couldn't get it to frame the bottom of the image evenly, but the contours of the bank just didn't allow for that.  The place was full of holes and rocks, I've tackled easier assault courses! But the position I took this shot from was relatively free of obstacles and holes : - )

The relatively high altitude kind of helps with the composition, to explain further, the rocks to the right of the image, give way to a huge drop to the valley below, via the waterfall that I climbed up.

The story that accompanied this was the short version, there was a whole chapter dedicated to "Alfie" the dog, a huge Lurcher that inadvertantly stole my identity momentarilly and caused some confusion and consequential laughter at a most unlikely time and location.

Hope you managed to find a way through the endless tirade of meaningless point scoring propaganda, uttered by those most self delusional breed of men "Politicians"! Its a universal trait though Donna, it just gets worse at our respective election times.

Sincere Thanks for your thoughts and colourful descriptions, very much appreciated!

Best Regards

Alf

LARRY

It has been said that I'm the one that normally manages to "put his foot in it" but on this ocassion I didn't expect the "it" to be a hole in that particular location : - )

Cheers Larry & Best Regards

Alf

JOHN

I think it takes me about 90 mins to get to the car park at Idwal at that time in the morning, so not too far away.  Its one of those places definately worth getting to early, as its so popular.

I love the "Mow Cop" image, that looks like another great location!

Sincere Thanks for your thoughts and comments & Best Regards

Alf

JACQUELINE

You have caught me out twice! As I have forgot to mention to "View Large" on both of the last postings, but it serves to remind anyone else viewing the image so Thank You!"

There was probably a couple of other paragraphs I could have added to the story, "Alfie" the Lurcher as described above in my reply to Donna, and I also thought of a "Things not to eat on a photography session" paragraph, after my experience with a sticky bar of peanut brittle : - )

I'm very pleased you enjoyed reading the story and viewing this one Jacqueline!

Sincere Thanks & Kind Regards

Alf

NEIL

On nearly every excursion I find a story, things just seem to happen to me, and some great characters seem to have a way of finding me in the most obscure places.

You are 100% right about the rain gear, there is only one truly waterproof breathable covering that won't have some kind of side effect, and thats the skin we were born with, a bit susceptible to thorns and wasp stings though : - )

Glad you liked this one Neil!

Many Thanks & Best Regards

Alf

GAIL

"Destiny" Its a most interesting subject to ponder. 

The place itself, and indeed a lot of the locations I visit are a perfect setting for contemplation, and so the title came from my daydreams as I stared, somewhat transfixed at the margins of the lake, drinking in the colours and textures, but with my thoughts drifting like the clouds above my head.

I'm very fortunate when it comes to "breaking things" by that I mean arms legs and bones in general, I think I must have a "bendy" skeleton or something, because despite falling down cliffs, out of trees, and down holes, to date I haven't broken anything.  I even fell from the top rung of a ladder at the apex of the roof of my house a couple of years ago and didn't actually break anything,.... well except a light bulb on the way down : - )

So, I'm probably not as careful as I should be, but I'm not one for waiting and excercising caution, if I want to get the shot, moreoften than not, I'll do what I have to do to get it.

As for backing down from completing the journey.  It was something I thought about, seriously, and I have to admit I was tempted to give up. But, the thing that drove me forward was curiosity and the eager anticipation of a new place, a possible new source of photographs and just the element of discovering and experiencing a new environment and all it had to offer. Of course it could have been a disaster, the place might not have been in the slightest bit photogenic, but if that had been the case, my curiosity would have at least been satisfied, or so I reasoned with myself : - )

The encounters with the gentleman you mention, and the other encounters I didn't mention in my narrative, leaves me with a smile and an open mind as to wether our destiniy's are pre-ordained.

The encounter with "Alfie" briefly mentioned in my response to Donna and Jacqueline, was hilarious! It just couldn't have been better if a script had been written.  Can you imagine me, walking down a mountain path, low mist swirling, semi daylight, and two figures dressed in bright red in the distance. The figures were calling something, and as I got closer I could make out my name "Alfiiiiiiieee" it got louder and louder as I got closer and the two figures continued to call my name and gesticulate wildly. I was amazed, no one knew I was there, yet these people seemed to know me, surely I wasn't this famous, I reasoned : - )

As I got within 50 yards of the couple  (A woman and her son), who were still calling my name,  I was shocked to feel a sharp nudge halfway up my back! I turned round sharply to face the perpetrator, to see in all his hairy countenance "Alfie" It was the biggest dog I've ever seen in my life, its head come up to my chest and I'm 6ft 2"

I patted Alfie on the head and he kind of chewed on my hand affectionately.

The ensueing conversation with the woman was very funny, as she told me about "Alfie, the most disobedient dog on the planet"  and we all had a good laugh before I continued on my way.

Coincidence? or Predestined?  I really don't know, but it served to give us all something to smile about.

Sincere thanks for your thought provoking response and very kind comments, I'm really pleased you enjoyed this one, it remains one of my favourites too, for all kinds of reasons.

Kind Regards

Alf

This is a beautiful image!  I must say it is a joy to study your images because your explanations and responses to comments are so thorough and well written, just a literary treat.  On this one I especially like the two large rocks in the foreground and the wisps of grass growing up through the water in the middle of the image.  I don't normally see that where I come from.  Of course the whole image is very peaceful and calming.  Very beautiful sky and cloud formations.  Regards

Hi Alf, Love the narrative but not as much as the picture. This is really to my liking. The grass in particular in the manner it sweeps across the the water is central to the comp. Speaking of composition the mountains across the back meeting with the sky is also very nice. Bravo Alf. Beautiful landscape.

BR,

Holger

Really beautiful work with very nice lighting and reflections, Alf!

Bravo for this winner photo! Nice fg, mid ground and bg elements, wisely composed and framed. Control of light in shadows is awesome and masterful.Bravo.

Hamid.

Sincere Thanks for your interest and thoughtful feedback.

It is very gratifying to read that my responses are of interest as well as the image itself.  The reeds were illuminated from the light behind me, which is why the colour stands out so well, I suppose we in the UK take these reed fringed lakes for granted to some degree, but your words "I don't normally see that where I come from" makes me pause and appreciate them with a new respect.

Best Regards

Alf

HOLGER

Many Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts Holger, very much appreciated!

All the elements you mention, are the very magnets that drew me to take this shot.  It was one of those moments when I looked through the viewfinder and just kind of knew you I had the possibility of a good photo. Of course you never really know until you view it on your monitor but in this case my first impressions were well founded.

Best Regards

Alf

RUUD

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

Best Regards

Alf

HAMID

Sincere Thanks for your encouraging words and feedback, much appreciated! 

The only thing I didn't mention in the equipment section was the use of a polarisor for this shot, I think it helped with the colour and cloud definiton, and of course reduced glare from the water.

Best Regards

Alf

Beautiful! :)

Very pleasant image. Beautifully done!

Excellent!. I  head off to my local waterfront park in a few minutes. The current temperature  is 16 with a low tonight of 3 degree Celsius, Fall is in the air.

Many thanks for your kind words!

Best Regards

Alf

JAMIE

That brought a smile! My own little army of stage personnel equipped with extra grass, cloud making materials and cardboard rocks!

Best Regards

Alf

ANABELA

Very pleased you liked it, and thanks you so much for your kind words!

Best Regards

Alf

TONY

Sincere Thanks!

Indeed the scent of autumn is all around, specially in the early mornings and late evenings.

I have just got back from a week in Northumberland, great beaches, historic castles and delightful countryside. A few interesting photo's too.

Cheers Tony!

Alf

super image Alf, a very nice composition.

Rich.

Many Thanks for your kind comments. Its a lovely part of North Wales, not easy to get to, but worth the effort!

Best Regards

Alf

Stunning shot Alf, love the reflections of the clouds and hills in the water. Excellent work as always.

Very nice capture. It´s well composed and the light, clouds and reflection it´s simply beautiful.

Regards

Many Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts, your expert opinion is a source of inspiration.

Best Regards

Alf

JUAN

Thank You for your thougtful comments and positive feedback, very much appreciated!

Best Regards

Alf

Very nice, I love the foreground/background relationship here.

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

Best Regards

Alf

Hi Alf, my first impression on seeing this image was a deep sense of peace - this despite the threatening sky and the feeling that one is about to be drenched.  Thank you for such a beautiful image - it was definitely worth the effort! :)

Thankfully the "drenching" was over, and what you can see is the remains of the earlier rain clouds. It was a very peaceful place, it looks kind of prehistoric to me, and I suppose it is in the sense that the lakes in this area are usually old glacier beds.

Glad you enjoyed this one Margo, and thank you so much for your interest and kind words.

Best Regards

Alf

Hi Alf-here is my interpretation of your fine image.The sun still below the horizon, serving notice a new day has started unfolding as has occurred for eons.the first faint rays spread faint beams on Mother Earth, signalling the beginning of another new day with the slowly brightness of the sky.As our home continues to show more beams, creating a wonderful tableau of brilliant colours to delight any viewer..As our planet continues to turn revealing more & more until the sun has risen above the horizon.This is what our viewer has witnessed, the revealing of softly tree clad mountains , a winding turning stream with growing grasses & boulders, now calm & still If I was the viewer my thoughts would be,"GOD, WE LIVE IN A BEAUTIFUL WORLD."Very Best Regards-Ross P.S. You mentioned you started to recognize my images & thought I was developing my own style.. have tried to figure this out but can not think what they woul be. Could you please enlighten me. Thanks

Your comments are poetic to say the least and I am deeply honoured that my image could inspire such beautiful words. Thank You! 

As for your own inimitable style, it is hard to describe as it resembles no other and is genuine and true only to youer images.

I would describe it  as fresh New England, with a lot of homestead influence, a genuine love of farm land and the people that occupy the countryside. And mankind's small imprint on the landscape that you capture so well.  All of this captured with an artists flair for light and colour........instantly recognisable as a genuine "Ross Yourth" 

Hope that enlighten you to some extent, but I know from experience how difficult it is to recognise repeating patterns in ones own work.

Best Regards 

Alf