Hidden Depths (Click for larger view)

Not much in the way of editing, simple B & W conversion, and sharpening. I

did clone out a floating thing too. Is less more?

 

Your thoughts and comments are always appreciated. Thank You!

Hi Alf,

This is a beautiful scene. I love the lean towards symmetry of this presentation and the overall gentleness of tones. You captured the essence of this scene! Very nice!

Tim

I see that you're still incorporating that wonderful mist that must be ever-present over there.  But this time instead of the verdant greens, it's a wonderful scene that's both dreamy and even forlorn in its stillness and isolation.  It looks cold and isolated, but I see that the water isn't frozen, so maybe it's not as cold as it looks.  Alf, let me take this opportunity to wish you and your family a wonderful holiday and to thank you for your support this year.  I've learned a lot from you, as have many others in this community, I'm sure.

I can simply extoll the virtuous and elegant aesthetics clothed in a romantic mist.

Well done!

Merry Xmas & Happy New Year, Alf!

 

Best regards

 

PDE

I'm not a fan of b&w landscapes but it's very fitting for this scene. Very thoughtful and elegant composition, great separation of the focal point from it's backdrop. Beautiful peaceful mood. I'm only getting the impression that it's ever so slightly wonky.

Happy Christmas.

Beautiful image, Alf. Lovely composed and presented, the light is excellent, an elegant touch.

Hi Alf

 

This is a fantastic photograph of nature, peace and tranquility 

 

I love the black and white conversion too

 

great job

 

Leon

Hi Alf, Interesting shot my friend. You have a simple, minimal isolation image with a very nice reflection and all in this gently toned B&W landscape. I think your approach to this is excellent because it gives the feel of coldness for the reasons I stated above. I was thinking possibly a touch more contrast but that might take away from that cold effect I mentioned. Very well done, as always Alf. Take care and have a Merry Christmas and a great New Year.

Best Always,

Holger

Beautiful. I like the simplicity and the soft atmosphere.

Sidsel

Is indeed a very interesting scene with this low contrast cause of foggy weather but has a base for viewer on this boat,I like this.

I agree with you in Is less more .

here is my thoughts about this image ,the hi key have served you well ,but I suggest to increase the boat contrast ,to balance the whole image white,I have downloaded the image to do so ,but I surprised when I increased the black of the image ,the results are more pronounced than increasing the contrast of the boat alone ,the reason is the black potentials of the trees.

Hi Alf,

  Beautiful scene with wonderful composition &  reflection's.  Happy Holidays to you & your family.  Patsy

Splendid solitude!  Very well done and the foreground stillness is somewhat offset by the lenticular cloud forming over the distant mountain, a harbinger of winds to come.

 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and yours... Mike

Alf, less is always more! Compliments on an amazing and moody composition!

Many Thanks for your thoughtful observations and feedback! 

 

The first time I processed this image I increased the contrast and added blacks, I then compared it to the RAW file and decided I liked the original RAW image much more, and so I processed it once again but this time made very minimal changes to it. 

 

Best Regards 

 

Alf 

 

CHRISTAL 

 

Ooooh I wish it was "ever present" but alas I have to watch weather forecasts and plan ahead to try and capture it.  Of course it doesn't always work, sometimes I travel  150 miles or more and find it just insn't going to happen, but it's all part of photography I guess, and when you do get that light / fog / mist just so, it makes it all that little bit more special.

 This particular scene really doesn't have a lot of mist, but it didn't have a lot of colour either.  So I used F / 4 and focused on the boat which gave a nice softness to the backdrop.  

You are right, it's not quite as cold as first impressions imply, the snow is a few days old and the temperatures had since warmed up a bit. 

As for learning, well........I guess we have learned a lot from each other and although this site isn't perfect by any means, I do think it promotes learning and sharing to a far greater extent than any other I have visited.

Sincere Thanks for your, as always thoughtful and constructive comments and my Best Wishes to you and your loved ones for Christmas & New Year! 

 

Alf 

 

TONY

 

Sincere Thanks for your most encouraging and thoughtful comments! 

 

Best Wishes to you this holiday season! 

 

Alf 

 

PIERRE 

 

Thank you so much my friend! 

 

Have a wonderful Christmas & New Year!

 

Alf 

 

SLAWEK 

 

I usually take my time processing images and go through a comprehensive work flow that encompasses a straightening check.  On this occasion though I didn't like the first version and so cut out all of the processing procedures and converted the RAW file pretty much as it was, then added a bit of sharpening in CS6 and cloned a floating item.  So yes you are quite right it is a bit wonky : - ) 

Sincere Thanks for your most thoughtful and helpful comments! 

 

Best Wishes for Christmas & New Year! 

 

Alf 

 

 

GUNNAR 

 

Thank you for your interest and kind words, the light was very soft at dawn and there wasn't much in the way of colour, so I thought B & W would work.

 

Kind Regards 

 

Alf 

 

LEON 

 

Many Thanks for your thoughtful comments and positive feedback. 

The spot where I took this shot from is normally busy with people launching boats and sail boards. But at dawn it was very peaceful and the light was good too.

 

Best Regards 

 

Alf 

 

HOLGER 

 

Many Thanks for your interest and thoughtful analysis.

The original version I processed had increased contrast and increased black values, but when I compared it to the RAW file I felt it had lost something, so I processed it again and this time with minimal changes to the RAW file, and it seemed to work. So I think you are right, it's tempting to make things appear clearer and bold, but then it can definitely lose it's original appeal when those changes are made.

My Sincere Best Wishes for Christmas & New Year to you and your loved ones Holger! 

 

Alf 

 

SIDSEL 

 

Many Thanks for your thoughts and positive feedback. 

Strange, but achieving simplicity in a photograph is seldom a simple matter : - ) 

 

Best Regards 

 

Alf

 

RADU 

 

It's very gratifying to read that you like this, and I appreciate your most valued thoughts and comments! 

 

Best Regards 

 

Alf

 

SAAD 

 

I am glad you have provided an alternative version.  It gives the viewers a chance to see for themselves how it could have turned out if I had chosen a more intense kind of processing.

Sincere Thanks for your thoughts and input! 

 

Best Regards 

 

Alf 

 

PATSY 

 

Thank you for your unfaltering support and kind words, much appreciated! 

Sincere Best Wishes to you and your loved ones at Christmas & New Year! 

 

Alf 

 

MIKE M 

 

Time can provide many illusions when it comes to photography.  The area I was standing in to take this shot is usually bustling with people launching boats and windsurfers etc, but at the crack of dawn it was desolate and peaceful and I did indeed enjoy a moment of solitude! 

 

Sincere Thanks! 

 

My Very Best Wishes for Christmas & New year to you and your loved ones! 

 

Alf

 

 

YANNIS 

 

I tend to agree with your sentiments!  I have a leaning towards more minimalist compositions these days.

 

Sincere Thanks & Best Wishes

 

Alf 

 

 

 

 

Alf, a wonderful image.  Your approach to this scene I think is perfect. A picture that I can look at for a long time and really appreciate.  Congratulations, Phil

Hi Alf,  I am a real late comer to his image, eh?  I like the soft effect.  Yet, I wonder what you think about Ansel Adams' zone system where one attempts to include each of the 10 values of gray.  Here, the boat offers contrast with an artistic effect.  How did this image appear in color?  Best to you and yuour family for the holidays and New Year.  Larry

Many Thanks for your interest and kind words. 

It's quite gratifying to read your comments about this image, as I thought it might be considered a bit bland for most peoples tastes. 

 

Best Regards 

 

Alf 

 

LARRY 

 

Never too late though Larry, especially when you make comments that start the old grey matter working!

I have read many comments in the past by well respected photographers  about pure black & white photography, about film and the varying degrees of greys, and yes of course Ansel Adams is oft quoted too.

I can't say I have tried being like Ansel Adams, but if I did try, I think I'd probably fail.  So I try being like Alf Bailey ......he is far easier to copy : - ) 

 

The original has some very pleasant pastel colours and a faint blueish snow covering. You can see one I posted earlier amongst "single photo's" folder entitled "Awakening" 

Many Thanks for your thoughts Larry and most thought provoking feedback! 

Sincere Best Wishes for Christmas & New Year to you and your loved ones! 

 

Alf 

Hi, Alf! I really love the SOFTNESS of the picture. It reminds me a pencil drawing...Totally shows the atmosphere of the time. Happy New Year, Alf! All the best to you and your family. Warmest regards, Tamara

Many Thanks for your encouraging comments! 

I kind of like the plainness of this type of processing. 

 

Sincere Best Wishes to you and your loved ones for 2014! 

 

Warm Regards 

 

Alf 

Beautiful work: i like the delicate tones and the soft atmosphere! Compliments and best regards.

Many thanks for your interest and kind words much appreciated! 

 

Best Regards 

 

Alf