Ice Queens (Larger View Available)

First tme out after illness for what seems an age! We ventured out to

Snowdonia National Park, and I escaped for a few hours with my

camera.........oh joy! It wouldn't have mattered if I came home with a

blank memory card, just getting out was reward enough. As it

happened though I did like the results of a few shots. I have been a

bit obsessional about B & W of late, so I thought I would post 2

similar images ( 1 B & W and 1 Colour) and try and get some

feedback on preference and the perceived mood and atmosphere. I

stress that the images are not quite the same in composition, but

taken a few minutes apart from slightly different perspectives. Your

thoughts and comments are always appreciated. Thank You

Sorry to hear you've not been too well, but glad you're getting over it. I still like this shot a lot, even though I prefer the other one. I can almost feel the crisp clear air (as I sit here at 8 pm with windows wide open and wearing shorts and a tee-shirt).  The foreground is obviously a bit busier than the other shot but the comp is very pleasant and easy on the eye. Pat. 

Its about time you got off your butt old friend................

Both lovely images however I have to go with this one. I'm just the old school perhaps... I see in colour and so I expect to see colour. That said... I could be seen as "sadly lacking something" by others.... but for me the little colour here just adds a touch of "life" to the image.... moot point, but hey, just my thoughts............

Glad you're up and about again.... good news on Mike as well.

Regards

The tinge adds an aura of aloofness, which is more appealing. Separation between the water surface and the rocks in the foreground is clearer in this capture.

I like the other one better. It has less foreground.

Ben

Nice perspective for this wonderful place. Thanks. Regards.

Alf, another outstanding piece, I like the widely view, crisp details & color contrast between cold & warm, very nice composition also, I almost can smelling the fresh air....:)    Best regards

I wish I'm was there... Great capture and I wish you best!

Grigoriy

You made a great shot  from a wonderful piece on earth. BR JV

Surprisingly (for me), I prefer the b/w version.  I'll comment there...  Mike

A really beautiful result with impressive lighting, Alf!

While I think I prefer the B&W version overall this color version has much to offer. A greater sense of depth with the calm waters, and the foreground grass, and the splash of color add interest. From what I can see there's a myriad of intricately different compositions to be had in this location. I bet you had a blast out there Alf.

All the best,
Neil

Alf,

  Glad that you are feeling better.  Beautiful image with wonderful colors & details.  Take care, Patsy

Splendiferous image. Hope you have fully recovered. I am with Grayham re his comment.

Hi Alf. A beautiful landscape capture. It certainly looks very cold there, great the way the rocks draw you into the image and the detail and sharpness is excellent. Another one for your portfolio!

Best wishes. Sarah

Hi Alf

Firstly, I'm pleased to hear you are well again... Both images are stunning but this one has the edge for me...

When viewed large this image has the "wow" factor for me... I can almost feel the crisp cold air... I love the clarity of the water and the consequent reflection. .. Alf, not  only do you take a stunning photograph you never fail to capture the atmosphere of your surroundings. ... You just keep getting better and better. . Excellent work Alf

Warm regards 

Jacqueline

Alf,  Glad to hear you are  better.  You have so many neat places to photograph near your home.  I prefer the color one. The snow and reeds in the foreground are perfectly sharp and lead well through the image.  There's a lot of diversity in content here with the rocks in the water and then mountainous almost arctic looking background.  Nicely done, Alf.  Best to you.  Larry

Dear friend, compliments for this wonderful landscape!

Superb picture. I have a chill just to look at it!

Glad that you're well and back in bussiness!!!

All the best!!!

Many Thanks for taking the time to comment on both images.

It really is useful to get feedback on peoples preferences and likes and dislikes.

The air is so clean and clear up there and very refreshing too!

Of course I could sit there in my shorts and T shirt too, but I suspect I'd last about 5 minutes before I froze solid : - )

Yes, you are right of course the foreground is indeed a bit busier.  But is interesting to note that most people like yourself have indicated a preference for the B & W composition with a relatively plain foreground.

Intially I was quite wary of the possibility it could have been viewed as a bit boring, but the popular consensus says different! : - )

Thanks again Pat!

Best Regards

Alf

GRAYHAM

Yeah, you are right it is time I got my finger out : - )

Interesting comments though Grayham, I always imagined you old fossils....errm I mean people lol would see things more in B & W.  My logic I supposed derived from old school era B & W TV's and of course B & W film.  Or maybe its the fact that the arrival and availability of colour made you much more appreciative of it.

But in any case I can see where you are coming from, the colour does add a touch of vitality.

Many Thanks for your kind comments and well wishes Grayham and yeah it is excellent news about Mike, hopefully we will hear from him soon !

Best Regards

Alf

RANGA

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

I wonder if the slightly less breezy conditions of this image contributed to the seperation as you described, or possibly just the processing, but either way it is an interesting observation.

Best Regards

Alf

BEN

Many Thanks for your interest and thoughtful feedback.

I think there is the same amount of foreground in terms of proportion, but I agree there are more elements to consider in this image, and it could and has been described at being "busy"

Cheers Ben!

Alf

MARTA

Sincere Thanks for your interest and kind words!

The perspective is an interesting one, but it can only be achieved by paddling into the lake outlet as I did  here. Waterproof boots recommended : - )

Best Regards

Alf

RICHARD

Many Thanks for your thoughts and observations.

It is one of those places, its sheer wild beauty doesn't fade with time, weather or conditions.

Interesting to note your thoughts relating to the colour contrasts, it was something that occurred to me too.

Cheers Richard!

Alf

GRIGORIY

Many Thanks for your kind words, much appreciated!

I am very fortunate that this place is accessible to me and within 90 mins drive from my home, so when I get the urge to go there, its as good as done!

Best Regards

Alf

JORG

I like that description a lot Jorg, it is indeed a wonderful place!

Sincere Thanks for your thoughts!

Best Regards

Alf

MIKE

No worries Mike, I must be getting good at these B & W's : -)

Best Regards

Alf

RUUD

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

Best Regards

Alf

NEIL

Ahh yes, very well put Neil.

The calmer waters were indeed instrumental in making this one a bit different in terms of depth.  Its interesting to note that even though the shots were taken seconds apart and from a different perspective only 3 feet apart, that they could look so different (albeit with different processing)

There is indeed a rich variety of compositional opportunities, and even more so when that wind drops (which isn't often) but I had a great day out and felt all the better for it!

Sincere Thanks for your imput Neil, much appreciated!

Best Regards

Alf

PATSY

Thanks Patsy I'm firing on all cyclinders again, no stopping me now!

Glad you liked this one : - )

Best Regards

Alf

TONY

Many Thanks for your thoughts I am feeling 100% better now and I dare say the visit to Snowdonia National Park was beneficial too.

"Spendiferous" what a wonderful adjective, and I'm very honoured you used it to describe this image!

Cheers Tony!

Alf

SARAH

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

It was cold, but only about - 2 C at worst, and was quite bearable with the right clothing.

The wide angle lens is a curious thing, it can be a right pain at times with some distortion that you don't want. But when you get used to it, you can utilise those very properties to accentuate features like the rocks to look more compositionally dynamic.

Cheers Sarah!

Alf

JACQUELINE

Sincere Thanks for your well wishes and of course your invaluable feedback!

As you may know the images I post are usually optimised for the larger size, and as such will appear sharper and more detailed when viewed that way, therefore it is very gratifying to read the description of your reaction when viewing it and that the atmosphere was so well communicated.

Warm Regards

Alf

LARRY

Many Thanks for your thoughtful observations and kind words!

I am very fortunate to live quite centrally in the UK, and as such I have hundreds of locations available for landscape opportunities, including coastal seascapes, estuaries, historic buildings, inland waterways, mountains, rivers, lakes, and of course great Citys like Liverpool and Manchester that cater for my other love "Street Photography"  and all within 90 mins drive.........so no shortage of subjects : - )

This particular lens is a great assett for this type of shot and after using it for over 12 months now, I am really beginning to appreciate its finer qualities, for instance the sharpness you describe is one of them.

Cheers Larry!

Alf

MAURIZIO

Many Thanks for your interest and thoughts my friend! Much Appreciated!

Best Regards

Alf

NEBOJSA

Sincere Thanks for your well wishes and encouraging comments!

Its a place that you can just "chill out" quite literally : - )

Best Regards

Alf

Clear and sharp foreground.  Excellent composition.  Best Regards,

Two excellent versions, I have no preference as I love both. One of my favourite locations which looks amazing in the winter. I like the contrast between the water with the stones showing through and the coldness of the mountain covered in snow. John

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

The 14 - 24 mm that I used is a great lens for shrapness in these situations.

Best Regards

Alf

JOHN

Good to hear from you I hope you are keeping well!

I know you love this area and half expect to bump into you one of these days, or maybe i already have : - )

It is a great location any time of the year, and one of my favourites too! But yes it does look spectacular in the winter dressed with a coating of snow.

Many Thanks for your thoughts and positive feedback John!

Best Regards

Alf

Hi, Alf! Sorry you were not well! Don't do it again, please...

I looked at your both wonderful images. Honestly, cannot make up my mind. The bw is very good! In this one I really love the contrast: the warm colours do enhance the coldness of cold. I tried (in my imagination!) to cut a bit from the bottom, to minimize the forground, but to keep the warm colours... Check it out... ( I cannot believe myself - I am trying to improve a picture of ALF BAILEY himself! I am too much! It sounds improper ... Sorry...:) :) Warm greetings, Alf . Tamara

I like this image very much Alf. The warmth of the colours in the foreground, the grasses emerging from the snow and water. The POV is lovely and the Perspective invites me into this beautiful capture. Well done! I love the tite Alf, suits the image well.

kind regards, Gail