A Moment of calm (Click to view larger)

Summer Solstice .........the decent light doesn't last long after dawn at this

time of year so at 9.00 am it was a bit bright, but the wind dropped and the

scene looked too nice to pass up an opportunity to capture it. Your

thoughts and comments are always appreciated. Thank You

Ultimately real, like I'm there with you.  Fantastic clarity and that one little cloud positioned itself perfectly...  Mike

Oh yeah, I like the subtle group portrait of the three ducks that's contained within the landscape ;-)...  Mike

Such an ordinary (no offense meant), but beautiful scene. How refreshing it would be to be there. Don't see any ducks, though!

A very nicely composed result with beautiful lighting and reflections, Alf!

 

Hi Alf,

  Beautiful scene with amazing clarity, colors & reflection.  Take care, Patsy

Hi Alf,

Now, i like this. So i'll give it (7).

All The Best

Gary

Great composition and colors.

The structure gives the image a nice focus.

I love how you provided 2 leading mechanisms in this frame.  The first is the stone wall, which draws a viewer's eye toward the lake, while the second - the 3rd fencepost from the bottom left - points directly to the structure on the shoreline.  As is customary in your work, the image is replete with majestic mountains, a bright and vivid sky, crystal clear water, and amazing reflections.

 

My best always,

michael

Hi Alf,  Most people would avoid the elongated pile of rocks with its wire fence. I think it gives this image added depth and balance.  I admire your getting up so early to capture such perfect reflections on still water.  The house or barn adds human interest to the image.  Wonderful image. Thanks for commenting on my Peru image.   Larry

Many Thanks ......light was a bit harsh I thought......but I suppose that does add to the clarity as you mentioned.......not clear enough for me to find the ducks though : - ) 

Cheers Mike! 

 

Alf 

 

ADRIENNE 

 

No I have to admit the duck eluded me too : - ) 

It was a nice moment when the wind dropped and the reflections became clear, but a bit late in the day for good light.

Many Thanks & Best Regards

 

Alf 

 

RUUD 

 

Many Thanks for stopping by and leaving your kind comments

 

Best Regards 

 

Alf 

 

PATSY 

 

Thank you so much for your interest and thoughtful comments, much appreciated! 

 

Best Regards 

 

Alf 

 

GARY 

 

Not really my cup of tea, the light is too harsh, and I would only give it 5 for this reason............but it's interesting to know how others see things.

Sincere Thanks 

 

Alf 

 

 

STEVE 

 

Good to hear from you!

The dry stone wall had a lot of nice textures, but the light isn't great

The composition though I like, but I should have been at this location at least 2 hours earlier.

Sincere Thanks & Best Regards 

 

Alf 

 

MICHAEL 

 

I am so pleased you noticed the elements of the composition, a bit of thought went into it and this is probably the third of fourth attempt. 

I had to wait a while for the wind to drop and I got about 10 minutes before it started rippling the water again.

Sincere Thanks for your thoughts and most generous comments.

 

Alf 

 

LARRY 

 

The pile of rocks form the end of what is known as a "dry stone wall" (more can be seen running from the left of the image towards the boat house) designed primarily to separate sheep flocks between farms and different land owners. There is a huge amount of skill in building these structures where no mortar or bonding agents are used, just the bare rock from the ground, and mostly from where they are situated. The walls last for centuries with only a small amount of upkeep. The wire fence of course is a later addition designed to keep the more athletic sheep from jumping over : - ) 

Sincere Thanks for your thoughts and most generous comments.

 

Best Regards 

 

Alf 

Ok, I'm old and as y'all say "daft" at times but the ducks are gone now!  Me thinks you're playing with my eyes :-).  One duck was out in front of the boathouse and two were just above the end of the stone wall (in the dark reflection)!  I'm going to save evidence next time ;-)...  Mike

What a perfect moment of peace - but I am getting carried away in the moment (which is no bad thing).  In our club (North Shore Photographic Society) we are advised not to have just a mirror reflection (some 50/50 thing).  I just love, what we used to call, in Scotland, the dry stone dyke.  It adds harmony, and even beauty, to the scene.  You have certainly developed that special touch, Alf, which delineates, the particularly good, from the extra special good. 

Hope to see much, much more

Jim

Are these "ducks" just a modern equivalent of pink elephants or have you gone quackers  : - ) 

Or maybe like me, you spend whole minutes trying to get rid of a dust spot on an image only to find it's on your monitor! 

Ahh old age, it just about allows us to remember the times when we thought we knew everything!

 

Cheers Mike! 

 

Alf 

 

JIM 

 

It was just a moment when the wind dropped and the reflections became clear.  Some 50/50 reflections work. I am these days reluctant to follow "rules" and just compose as I see fit, but I suppose knowing the so called "rules" before we break them is a good starting point : - ) 

I love seeing the "dry stone dykes" and walls they are prevalent throughout the UK and I often wonder at man hours it has taken to create them, often in the most remote places and on seemingly impossible terrain.

My Sincere Thanks for your most generous comments! 

 

Alf 

 

 

Beautiful image Alf! Really has to be seen large to appreciate the clarity in this photo! I could really use some calm in my life right now so I wish I could be there but at least I feel as if I could step right into this scene due to the clarity. I love how the clouds on either side of the hill look as if they are hugging it! So serene! Lovely work! Thank you for sharing. :)

I've been "quackers" for some time, but as I tell my wife; I'm more sane than most because I'm aware of it! ;-)

 

Look at the attached and tell me what you interpret these spots to be.  The last entry, I promise...  Mike

We all need  a bit calm in our lives from time to time, the stresses of a modern existence are all too common. I am lucky, I have a great hobby which occupies my thoughts whilst I wander amongst the most blissful of locations at weekends.....I call it  "photo therapy"  and yes I do need it : - ) 

Many Thanks & Best Regards 

 

Alf 

 

MIKE 

 

You are quite right there are definitely birds of some kind there, but using the scale of the crow flying across from the right I think they look a bit small to be ducks. I have tried to enlarge the RAW file to try and identify the birds but to no avail. The sea is located a few miles behind the rocks and it leaves me wandering if they are some kind of sea bird.  Hmmmm

Cheers Mike! 

 

Alf 

Crystal clear image with a help of the lake water brings very appealing reflections and a mood for relaxing! The composition is OK too, as I say:"By the rules"! Well done as always, Alf!

 

Best regards

 

PDE

Natural looking blue made this picture really calming as the name denoted. A great Bravo!

My best regards,

Hamid.

Many Thanks for your interest and positive feedback. 

Yes on this occasion I followed the rules......not always the case though : - )

 

Best Regards 

 

Alf

 

HAMID 

 

When the light becomes this bright I usually head for home, but this seemed too good an opportunity to miss.

 

Sincere Thanks & Best Regards  

 

Alf 

 

 

A moment of calm, a moment of beauty...excellent Alf!  Cheers!

Hi Alf,

Fantastic reflections and clarity! I guess It is all about getting there at the right time of day. Again, the composition is spot on too! Your landscapes have inspired me again to try harder!!

Best wishes. Sarah.

A moment of being being bitten by a horse fly too : - ) 

Thank you so much for your interest and kind words! 

 

Alf 

 

SARAH 

 

Although it was relatively early, the light at this time of year tends to be harsh from the outset.  It was just at that point or turning too bright when I took this shot, 2 more quick snap and I had finished shooting for the day at 9.00 am in the morning 

 

Thank you so much for your thoughtful feedback! 

 

Best Regards 

 

Alf 

 

Wow! Alf, this is a beautiful image, the angle, colors and reflections are so great; this image makes one  be there and enjoy the view, the peace and calmness of the water that bring thoughts of joy, and a desire to never leave this place.

I was absent for a long time, but is great to come back and find this beautiful work of you! :)

Warmest regards,

LuDa

Always so good to hear from you and welcome back!  

This place can be magical in the right light and conditions, I love to walk here and admire the different views, it becomes even more beautiful in winter.

Thank you so much for your kind words! 

Warm Regards 

 

Alf