WHAT?? More Snow??

It has been so terribly cold. The wind chill in the minus 20's C. We

have not had the massive quantities of snow that many of the

Eastern States have - or Eastern Maritime Provinces here in

Canada. The children seem to enjoy being outside but for small

amounts at a time. It has been an exceptional year for many days

with Wind Chills in the Minus 20's. My heating bill for Natural Gas is

usually around $90.00 per month in the coldest of months. But my

last bill that was from Dec. 20th to January 21st was $130.00. Some

of the fees have gone up a bit over the entire year, but this is the

highest Gas Bill I have ever had. Still, I count myself fortunate, it

could be a lot more. (any visits/comments are welcomed, many

thanks Gail :)

I can't but smile when I am looking at snow, being on a tropical island in the Indian Ocean...Mind you we are returning to London this weekend..back to the cold..:-).

The look, the large eyes the expression in general and the snow, the question asked...All these elements contribute to an excellent result !.

Hi Gail,  This is a nice portrait show the wonders of cold.  This kid, one of your clan perhaps,  stares out at me with drilling eyeballs that are framed by the stripe on the hat.  I understand keeping the face really light to emphasize the snow and cold, but might you lower the highlights on the face to achieve more facial detail?  Nice to connect with your here, Gail. Larry 

...

I totally understand your advice. I had decided to process this image with a Black and White Plug In part way through and at the end added the snow Overlay. I posted in under Digital Alterations because to me the Black and White was quite contrasty, but wanted that for when I put the snow overlay on it. I will probably process the colour version and post it soon. I was aiming for a bit of a 'less than natural' look for the effect I wanted. It is a good shot for a Portrait, hope to post it soon. Many thanks for your visit and expressing your thoughtful advice. Hope you are having a good Winter,

Kind regards,  GAil

Oh, how nice it would be to be somewhere warm right now. It is -22C with a Wind Chill that makes it feel like -31Celcius at 1:06 am. I just went into the Kitchen to get some water and the rest of the house makes my 'chilled' office feel warm!! I think this must be one of the coldest nights of the year!!! I plan to hide under my Duvet very shortly. Normally my Office is 'snuggly' warm but it too is very chilly right now. Enjoy what days you have left!!! Many thanks for dropping by. I quickly looked up your Portfolio and saw a few shots from where you are--looks beautiful!! Praying you and yours have safe travels home. :) Gail

Bw shows better the astonishment moment feel by this boy,the joy of snow and flakes.Same time color version shows him in a very good different portrait,expression.

Is very cold indeed and wind makes this more than it is,is true.The weather is strange last years,we had in few days before Christmas from +10 to -25*C,after this snow and ice again warm in Jan and now again -20.Even info about bill is not about photo good to know how is life there,I can tell you that the amount is not too much,I paid last one more than $200 and is not a big house.So hope to have snow to enjoy us as necessary but not more and springtime with fresh green and flowers to come soon as possible.

sincerely your friend radu

Hi Gail

Well I wouldn't mind a bit of snow here. After days of thick cloud hanging over the west Wales coast, its now pouring rain with gales. Really like your process/framing here. Wide-eyed, fresh faced soft innocence, excitement, intensity. The purity that can be youth. Reminds me of my 9 yr old Theo. Lovely.

I also think it works well cropped to the face, 

Cofion gorau

Tony

The two versions are very good, but I really like how you processed the image in black and white. The addition of snow is nice, and the expression of the boy is really good especially for his eyes. I also like the composition and the way you've cropped the image.

We're here in Lima with very warm days with temperatures above 30 ° C (86 ° F).  I hope the weather improves soon there and ... to bundle up!

Kind Regards,

Rosario

The expression is great and very animated!  And I would never have known this was a snow overlay if you hadn't mentioned it.  I need to learn how to do special effects like this!  It's a very natural-looking effect that enhances the already great portrait of this young man.

Hi Gail,

  Wonderful portrait with priceless expression.  I like the b/w best.  Take care, Patsy

A very good shot, Gail !

Absolutely lovely portrait, Gail!!! Splendid monochrome. Warm regards.

What do you want, Gail! We are eventually moving from global warming to climate change to global cooling. You may find a smaller bill for your a/c in summertime. I absolutely love the expression and processing.

Gail, portrait works really winter. Good work and perfect post production. Warm warm regards:) Joze

:-) selfie?

:-) selfie?

I always thought you couldn't have too much snow, but I guess it can lose it's appeal when you get temperatures like the ones you have been experiencing! 

The wide open eyes and expression seems to welcome the appearance of yet more snow here and I have to say ....a boy after my own heart. 

Maybe I wouldn't be so keen if I had to live with it every day for months, but I can't help  feel a twinge of envy at the abundance of photo material you have in the form of snow : - ) 

Nice work Gail! 

 

Best Regards 

 

Alf 

Talking about bills I'm paying for 90 days each year $140 (CAD) per month for electricity including electric heaters of various kinds, but there is a small difference, my pension is $407 (CAD) per month!

 

I think that you might have left the color because the snow effect and the snow is anyway white and the colors on the original are wonderful, dear Gail!

 

Can you tell me, please how did you make the snow? I haven't noticed such filter in my Photoshop so far!

 

Best regards

 

PDE

 

 

Gail, try to keep warm! Very soon it will be spring equinox. There's hope! We heat with wood from our own forest-the cost- two new chains for the saw and gas! Labor is cheap, just Greg and me!

I have the same look on my face when another storm is predicted!

Very effective, Gail, but I don't think you should be giving your secrets away (at least in this case). It's a picture that definitely stops you in your tracks. I was going to say that the eyes are the most compelling feature but it's really the expression and how you have framed the entire face that makes this so powerful.

well done Gail...you cropped it very well and the snow is just right for this pic...i hit 5 instead of the 6 i wanted to give...sorry about that...regards....David

Beautiful composition my friend, I love the face expression he has. Congrats ;-)

Warmest regards,

LuDa

Beautiful, great photo, handsome kid. Brrrr :)