Ice Queens (Larger View Available)

I am much better now thank yopu! And I promise It wont happen again : - )

 

Many Thanks for your observations and suggestions.  Your feedback is always valued and appreciated. I actually think the small crop is a great suggestion!  I like to think I am still learning too Tamara, and you have a great eye for a photograph, so please NEVER feel that it is "improper"  to make suggestions relatinng to any of my photographs, and NEVER apologise for doing so. I welcome all feedback good or bad, but I think it is particularly helpful when it is in the form of constructive critiique as you have applied it here.

Warm Regards

 

Alf

 

GAIL

 

A few people have mentioned the warm colours of the underwater rocks and  foreground grasses and I must admit for me it does relieve the unrelenting coldness of the rest of the image. The only way to get these shots is to stand in the water of the outflow (A small river that runs off behind me)  It gets a bit cold after standing there a while, but my neoprene boots help a great deal. I have no idea where I dream up some of the titles from, they just seem to enter my head, but I agree with you this one does seem to fit.

Sincere Thanks for your interest and thoughtful comments Gail

Warm Regards

 

Alf

 

Alf, I don't have the patience to read the comments (but I will), so I hope I don't completely repeat what everyone has said.

 

I like this much better than the other partially because blue ice is just cool.  I like the colors too -- the blues, white and brown and the rocks on the bottom of the water look slippery and so cold.  The reflection like an etching.  The spiky vegetation makes this shot for me because yes, it is life sprouting from winter, which always makes a great shot or interesting theme, but also they tease -- they are light enough to exist there, but I am not.  My booted foot would sink to the bottom, water would rush in, and I would feel miserable.  This is compelling attractive and emotive

Always good to get your views!  There is a relief I suppose, in the colour that isn't present in the B & W, yet most people seem to prefer the B & W. 

I do like the spiky vegetation too, those crowns of spikes are what inspired the title on this one.

I guarantee you wouldn't feel miserable though, even with a soggy foot the views would be ample compensation :- )

Sincere Thanks for your thoughts and invaluable feedback Donna.

Best Regards

 

Alf

A nice joy for a photographer being out and alone with his camera! This is an amazing and exceptional shot of this excellent and unique place/scene/time and weather. What make it something different is the mood: cold, lonely and silent. B/W definitely is the preferred mode in this set of characters. Congratulations for these nice catches.

My best regards,

Hamid.

but still could be darker with more contrast energy at the top.

 

colour and bw are both good for me.  i think this composition is more interesting.  best, j

Hi Alf, 

I like everything in this photo : the 3 types of reliefs on the foregroud, midground and background, water present in its 3 physical states, the reflections that mix with transparencies.

The colours and tones are like the icing on the cake !

Excellent shot.

Best regards

Many Thanks for your imput and invaluable feedback, much appreciated!

 

It is one of my favourite locations. It seems to ooze atmosphere and mood no matter what time of day I visit, and the rough terrain helps create a scenic image.  I think at this time of year a splash of colour can break the monotony, but it would seem that in this case B & W is indeed the preferred mode by the majority of viewers.

 

Best Regards To You Hamid

 

Alf

 

JAMIE

 

The word "Polite" or "Not so Polite" has never been (as far as I know) applied as an adjective to describe any of my images, so I hope you will forgive me fumbling for a suitable response.

I would imagine "polite" applied to a photograph, would describe a formal rather boring, conservative type of image,(as in the B & W version)  and so this "not so polite" image would be something of a rebel?

Well I suppose the spikey bits could represent a "punk" element : -)

I have already darkened the top of the image by applying a PP ND grad, so I am a bit dubious about darkening further, I have an inherant fear of grainy bits, but I do take your point!

Cheers Jamie and Thank You!  Always good to get your views!

 

Best Regards

 

Alf

 

LATIL

 

Many Thanks for your interest and positive feedback!

As you probably know yourself, finding a composition with a foreground, midground and background isn't always easy. But having visited this area many times I knew what to expect.

The key to this one involved getting into the water to take the shots, and as I had prior knowledge of this, I came armed with suitable waterproof footware.

Its interesting to get your views and note your preference for the colour version, not the popular choice this time, but your reasoning is sound.

Thanks again Latil!

 

Best Regards

 

Alf

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I like this winter landscape and also like that you left it colored. The green of the grasses and the slightly brownish rock under the crystal clear water work wonders here.

Regards, Tibi

Many Thanks for your interest and thoughtful feedback!  The popularity errs to the B & W side, but only marginally, and it now makes me wonder if I should have just kept the comparison simple without mixing the compositions. But suffice to say the feedback has been excellent and it all helps to diagnose the triggers that make a photograph appealing.

Best Regards

 

Alf

I love it,really it is nature as it is,of course I'm referring to the foreground, it's not neat & tidy,like soldiers lined up in a row., different sized rocks & boulders hither & thither small clumps of grasses occupying one corner.. Have tried showing nature in the raw but the response was zippo.But in this case it works very well Probably you see a order which I could be missing .Best Regards-Ross

Turner.  Go look at Turner.  I would say that Turner was a god, except that if he had been, he certainly would have made grad filters physically impossible.  They steal all the vigour.  best, j

There is order in all kinds of chaos, if you look hard enough : - )

Though the difference in this image to the B & W as regards foreground, is the lack of  any kind of symmetry in this one.  Its a bit wild and ungroomed as you have described, but I guess the interesting bits for me was the textures and shapes, and of course the colours too.

Sincere Thanks  for your thoughtful feedback Ross, very much appreciated!

 

Best Regards

 

Alf

 

JAMIE

Turner would have heartily approved of the Nikon 14 - 24 mm, because of course it is notoriously difficult to use with filters of any kind, due to its bulbous shape. (not unless your willing to pay out a small fortune for some kit thing that looks very awkward and time consuming to attach)

So I don't use any filters with this lens.  But what I have done is used a PP grad.........maybe thats the culprit that stole my vigour : - )

 

Cheers Jamie!

 

Alf

 

 

 

 

villains in search of vigour.

this color is the one, Alf. i just want to climb them. they look so perfect for a climb. where is it? ;-} dp

If they photoshop are the villains .............who are the good guys :- )

BR

 

Alf

 

DONNA

This region is known as Snowdonia National Park and it is situated in North Wales, UK. Very popular with climbers too!

This particular area is known as "Cwm Idwal"

The Welsh word "Cwm" I think meaning rounded or glaciated valley but I can't find a meaning for "Idwal" maybe our PN friend John Roberts might enlighten us, if he happens to look in again and read this.

I love the place, it is ever changing light with low cloud and mist rising and falling..........yeah I just know you would love it too!

 

Sincere Thanks for your thoughts and positive feedback Donna.

Best Regards

 

Alf