The Great Escape (larger view available)

Yes, I know I am obssesed with this view in all its variable formats,

but I can't help it. Its the place I escape to (in my mind at least) when

the real world gets too real : -)

 

Your thoughts and comments are always welcome. Thank You.

Hi Alf. Another beautifully composed landscape - stunning details and reflections when viewed large. I must now find the time to get out to some interesting places, although wouldn't do them justice like you can!

Best wishes. Sarah.

Hi Alf,

Technically, shot at the best setting for the zoom lens, F/2.8.

Aesthetically pleasing, with many interesting elements present, with the mood set by the low cloud cover.

A TEN + my friend.

Best Regards, Mike

Hi Alf,

Your escape world is very dreamy and pleasant indeed. This picture looks like a painting and I appreciate the combination of the blurry clouds and the crisp trees against the green fields. Lovely picture. Best regards Per.

with every photograph of yours, Alf, i think/feel Wordsworth. such devotion, such beauty, such passion, such peace.... you are one with nature, Alf. charming image here; makes my heart leap ;-} dp

We recently visited the south bank in London to see the exhibition of the British landscape photographer of the year. The winner received a prize of ten thousand pounds...I think is time that you entered that competition  Some of your photos are much better than what I saw. I am not saying that the prize is the attraction, but the prestige and recognition of your skill and enthusiasm, is.

Alf, another of your wonderful landscapes. A question, though. Why did you decide to cut off the top of the hill in the sky and in the reflection? I rather wish it were there, but maybe I am just 'too predictable'. Regards, Adrienne

Alf,

  Beautiful peaceful scene with wonderful details & reflection.  Take care, Patsy

Very calm and dreamy place to escape to! Happy you have such a nice place to breath and shoot. This capture is also very nice and moody with great composition and balance. Actually i am a fan of super wide lenses, and if i was there , definitely used a 16 mm end with a full frame sensor -probably vertical- to include all parts of cloudy mountain and its image in the water in one shot. But i have to say, what distinguishes your captures are complete lack of distortion using a 24 mm focal with very apt and straight lines. I like this aspect. Congratulations for this nice shot.

My best wishes,

Hamid.

you're lucky to have an "escape" like this. The calm reflection of the rhythm of trees is a pleasure to see.

And I think, it pays off, re-visiting (and photographing) an interesting site - be it for different light, be it for different weather or season.

I can see why you return to this place again and again. It seems somehow symbolical or a kind of allegory, a landscape that exists as much in the mind as in an actual geographical location.

Hi Alf

 I can see the attraction for returning to this beautiful place, through your eyes Buttermere has become one of my favorite places too, which I hope to visit one day!  This image (especially viewed large) is simply sublime!  A stunningly composed scene Alf.... The fog creating such atmosphere, the serene location reflected perfectly in the lake....... This one has gone into my favorites.... Thanks for sharing Alf!  

p.s. I agree with Dimitris, your images should be seen more widely and images like this one would win IMO... Excellent work Alf

warm regards 

Jacqueline

 

Very atmospheric photo, wonderful work Alf!!!!

Presumably this is Scotland, correct? Grey and cloudy enough anyway...

Lovely restful image, instantly reminding me of the shores of Loch Lomond.

NICE ONE! 

The Lake District or Scotland, either way you can't go wrong, and I'm sure you would do them justice!

Just remember early morning or late evening for the best light. I got very lucky on this particular day as the fog diffused any harsh light all day long.

This is one of my favourite locations, and I'm really pleased you like it also.

 

Sincere Thanks & Best Regards

 

Alf

 

MIKE

 

I like to see how well the lens performs wide open, so when I get the opportunity for distant focus with the right light I take full advantage, as usual this lens didn't dissapoint.

Many Thanks for your thoughts and positive feedback Mike.

Best Regards

 

Alf

 

PER

 

It is the place in my head that I visit when I need some quiet time, its very gratifying to read that you appreciate the view.

Sincere Thanks & Best Regards

 

Alf

 

DONNA

 

Wordsworth, Tennyson, and Beautrix Potter are but a few of the many writers and poets that were totally captivated by this region, and I have to say the inspiration to produce art has not diminished in any way.

"one with nature" What a wonderful compliment Thank You Donna.

Best Regards

 

Alf

 

 

DIMITRIS

 

 

Sincere Thanks for your thoughts and vote of confidence, much appreciated!

I have considered entering that particular contest before, but didn't really think I was good enough. However after reading your words, maybe I will have a go this year. Enthusiasm I have in bucket loads : - )

 

Best Regards

 

 

Alf

 

ADRIENNE

 

Very good question, I revisited the RAW file in order to re-aquaint myself with the original, and I think the reason I clipped the peak and its reflection, was that it left quite empty large spaces in the four corners, and the crop was my effort to reduce the blank areas. I don't think you are too predictable at all, you raised a very valid point.

Sincere Thanks & Best Regards

 

Alf

 

PATSY

 

Many Thanks for your thoughts and kind words, I'm really pleased you liked ths one.

Best Regards

 

Alf

 

 

HAMID

 

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

I know what you mean about wide angle lenses, I am also a big fan!

I use the 14 - 24 mm Nikkor F2.8 which is a fantastic lens, however for this scene I was far enough away to get the whole peak and its reflection with the 24 - 70 mm set at 50 mm, the decision to crop the image was taken accentuate the band of visible trees and to reduce the negative space in all four corners.

The lack of distortion could be due to one of the great little gizmo's on the D800, the "Virtual Horizon" it gives a graphic read out in the rear screen and measures side top side levels as well as front to back.  But if I'm honest I can't remember if I actually used it : - )

Cheers Hamid!

 

Alf

 

WOLFGANG

 

I think you are right, re-visiting places that capture ones imagination and interest has to be a good thing.

It improves the chances of capturing that special shot, in the right light, in the right weather etc. And sometimes the results are a good yard stick by which to measures ones own progress.

Some places I have returned to on 8 or more ocassions to get the shot that I know exists in my mind, and there are several places that are still on my hit list for more visits.  

I'm glad you liked this one Wolfgang! 

 

Sincere Thanks & Best Regards

 

Alf

 

JACK

 

You have most definately read this one right, it is indeed symbolic to me of a retreat, a hideaway and it does exist in my mind at least, as a place where my thoughts can wander freely.

Many Thanks for your thoughts and positive feedback!

 

Best Regards

 

Alf

 

JAQUELINE

 

Sincere Thanks for your thoughtful feedback and kind words.

Its very gratifying to read that this area has become an area that you love also and I'm honoured that you consider this a favorite. Buttermere is a very special place and although I try to convey its beauty, nothing can replace seeing it for yourself, so please do go and see it!  And don't forget your camera : - )

Thank you also for your encouragement, I might enter the compettition this year.

 

Warm Regards

 

Alf

 

GEORGE

Thank you so much! I'm really pleased you liked it.

 

Best Regards

 

Alf

 

DOUG

 

Not too far away geographically, it is in fact Buttermere in Cumbria, England "The Lake District"

I love Loch Lomond also but its just a bit too far for a day trip. Strangely enough I stop to take a shot of Loch Lomond at dawn about 12 months ago, there is quite an amusing stroy that accompanies the photogragh which is named "Loch Lomond Trip" (though not for obvious reasons) and its located in the folder entitled "Scotland Forever"

Glad you like this one Doug, many thanks for your thoughts and positive feedback!

 

Best Regards

 

Alf

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Really a great shot!

Alf a beautiful landcape great atmosphere and composition best regards janegbert

loads of sweep.  best, j

Wonderful and enchanted place...a place to escape, a place to dream, to rediscover yourself, write a book or fall in love...I could go on but I think I will stop and admire your scenary and mind travel...Thanks for sharing it Alf!

(Congrats on your D800, excellent camera for what you do!).

Sincere Thanks for your thoughts and kind words!

 

Best Regards

 

Alf

 

JANEGBERT

I was very fortunate that the foggy atmosphere lasted all day, and that it parted at just the right place on the distant shore of the lake.

Many Thanks for your encouraging feedback!

 

Best Regards

 

Alf

 

JAMIE

All "Sweep" and not a sign of Sooty : - )

 

Many Thanks & Best Regards

 

Alf

 

PANAYOTIS

 

Your words could be those uttered by the many famous poets and writers that were inspired and motivated by the beauty of this area of England.

Wordsworth, Tennyson, Sir Walter Scott and Beatrix Potter being amongst a few of them.

It is most gratifying to read that the image conveys the same kind of inspiration that motivated these guys.

 

Sincere Thanks for your thoughtful analogy and positive feedback.

 

Best Regards

 

Alf

With each return to this 'haven' of yours, each image portrays a bit more of the beauty that translates into perhaps the reason for this quest. Locations that enrich the soul and transport the eye and mind to a place deep within the heart - there is no need even to explain. But I do like your explanation. We all need places like this. I am just so grateful that you are not 'selfish' and are willing to share these images with us. For a very short period, we can 'taste' a bit of that 'escape'. This image with it's fog/clouds, early budding trees and greening grasses on the ground and hillside is so lovely. The perfect reflection, the mirrored 'balance' completes the image. I am so glad that you have this 'escape' Alf. The 'world does get too real' far too often these days.

Bravo Alf.

Deepest appreciation for this posting, Gail

When the whole world seems in a rush, and everyone has little time. When chaos reigns supreme, and each passing moment if frought with tension, and when the media news delivers another portion of mind numbing madness, that we struggle to come to terms with (North/ South Korea springs to mind)  Thats the time to take a step off the conveyor and melt into this silent oasis of tranquility. Its great to capture this in an image, but even if I didn't take a solitary photograph, this place would remain embedded in my mind forever more.

Yes, I agree "far too real"

 

Sincere Thanks for your thoughts and very eloquent words Gail.

 

Warm Regards

 

Alf

Hi, Alf, I do agree with all ! I like you caught the  nice atmosphere which looks better than poetry or classic Chinese painting, very artistically & tasteful___always pleasing to view :), my friend!     Best regards 7!

Your landscape images are beginning to clutter my Favorites folder, especially after the addition of this one.  What initially attracted me to it was its delicate nature, and that has stuck with me.  As a whole, the image has an Asian flair to it, given the relative size of the structure on the shoreline.

Extraordinary, my friend . . . There's nothing else to say.

michael

Really beautiful work with impressive lighting, Alf!