Crystal Lake and the Little White Church...

Gallery: Man & NaturePosted October 14, 20084,423 views36 comments

This is kind of a New England Icon shot that I've been after for some years. I focused on it Sunday Morning for over an hour, in changing light and levels of fog. The conditions were fantastic!

I have two images that I've narrowed down to for my portfolio...

I would love to have you both critique this image, and compare stengths between this one and one I posted in NENP

Thanks in advance...

Canon 20D w/Sigma 18-200 @85mm
1/50 @ F13
ISO 100
Polarizer

Comments

36 comments

Comment posted by Mitch Erwin on October 14, 2008 at 12:34 PM

Jim, my vote is for this one as I really love how the fog creates the distinct strip across the frame that draws your eye to focus on that area. You still get the visual effect of the reflections and the brilliant colors that are there and above the church even though the fog is there. Great capture!

Registered on April 24, 2006, 98 Posts, 656 Comments

Comment posted by Kah Kit Yoong on October 14, 2008 at 12:41 PM

I'd go this one without a doubt. The window in the fog around the subject is terrific.

Registered on September 27, 2006, 636 Posts, 10682 Comments

Comment posted by David Cobb on October 14, 2008 at 12:55 PM

The break in the fog and the placement of the church make this one the winner for me Jim. Perfect timing and wonderful light and color for a lovely New England scene.

David M. Cobb

Registered on December 14, 2007, 312 Posts, 3243 Comments

Comment posted by Scott Reeves on October 14, 2008 at 1:11 PM

Wonderful shot, Jim. The most striking element to me is the juxtaposition of bright clear light and heavy fog in the same composition. I only wonder if a slightly tighter crop to eliminate the sky at the top might strengthen and simplify the subject somewhat. I am a student, not a master in that area, so take my comment only at face value. Edit - second thought, leave the sky :)

Registered on May 30, 2007, 28 Posts, 261 Comments

Comment posted by Kurt Budliger on October 14, 2008 at 2:16 PM

You dog! They're both really nice but I think this is the clear winner. It's got the atmosphere and mystery. Fantastic shot and the color is epic. I might crop a hair off the top to eliminate the bit of blue sky.

Registered on June 11, 2006, 113 Posts, 2116 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Canning on October 14, 2008 at 2:56 PM

Exceptional mood in this one. Getting those little white NE churches isolated seems to get harder and harder each year - seems they're always beside a Walmart now. Nice work.

Registered on February 10, 2004, 88 Posts, 549 Comments

Comment posted by Curtis Knight on October 14, 2008 at 3:06 PM

I'm afraid I can't really judge this one without examining a huge print on the wall...it would have to hang over my fireplace for a couple years I think before I could really give you a proper critique.

Registered on October 28, 2004, 53 Posts, 468 Comments

Comment posted by Chris Percival on October 14, 2008 at 4:10 PM

I like this one better. I prefer the cropping and composition.

My eye gets drawn to the church very effectively. And I really like the way the color punches through the fog.

Very nice image.

Registered on April 9, 2008, 7 Posts, 30 Comments

Comment posted by Patricia Brundage on October 14, 2008 at 4:21 PM

Jim. Wonderfully different image which lifts just enough fog to focus in on the color and the church. Although the other is equally good, it does not have the mood of the one in Man & Nature.

Registered on March 23, 2006, 1111 Posts, 6531 Comments

Comment posted by Christine Adams on October 14, 2008 at 4:58 PM

Hey Jim!! Good for you on the patience to wait for the fog to lift on the other shot. While both are REALLY good, this one is my favorite also. I've driven by this place numerous times and have seen numerous photos and I believe you've done an outstanding job on both. I agree with the slight cropping off the top or even a pano. Also, great horizontal line...mine would have tilted!

Registered on January 24, 2006, 119 Posts, 1871 Comments

Comment posted by Bernie Kasper on October 14, 2008 at 5:59 PM

Incredible work Jim, what an incredible mood you have set with this, well done !!

Registered on June 5, 2005, 251 Posts, 3734 Comments

Comment posted by Michael Anderson on October 15, 2008 at 12:15 AM

Jim,

This version is the hands down winner for me. The fog is what gives it an impressionistic look and sets it apart from other autumn forest images. I really like the way the fog isloates the church. I'll bet this one generates a lot of sales.

-Mike

Registered on January 31, 2006, 228 Posts, 3072 Comments

Comment posted by Leann Greene on October 15, 2008 at 4:47 AM

Yea this is just crazy amounts of lovely.

Registered on January 25, 2006, 223 Posts, 3566 Comments

Comment posted by Edward Nunez on October 15, 2008 at 11:54 AM

My vote for this one too. The fog and the spotlighting on the church makes this one a winner. Beautiful!

Registered on April 19, 2007, 65 Posts, 711 Comments

Comment posted by Mary Christopher S on October 15, 2008 at 11:59 AM

They are both very, very nice. I can see how you'd be hard put to choose. I think however this one is more unique with the lighting and fog.

Registered on May 21, 2007, 398 Posts, 2605 Comments

Comment posted by andy puttbach on October 15, 2008 at 1:46 PM

The heavy fog is a winner! Great shot.

Registered on January 23, 2007, 0 Posts, 299 Comments

Comment posted by Wade Hardy on October 15, 2008 at 1:47 PM

Fantastic shot Jim!!!! The light on the shoreline and the church is absolutely perfect. My only EXTREMELY MINOR nit would be to crop out the sky. Great shot and congrats on capturing it.

Registered on May 2, 2006, 121 Posts, 1824 Comments

Comment posted by Larry Gloth on October 15, 2008 at 8:48 PM

Both beautiful images but this one stands out in my mind. The fog provides the perfect window, focusing the eye on the stunning color, church, and reflection. Beautifully captured.

Registered on August 29, 2007, 96 Posts, 1003 Comments

Comment posted by Kevin McNeal on October 16, 2008 at 3:04 AM

I guess you know by now that you hit this out of the park. This has to be one of the finer images of the year - great job !

Registered on May 19, 2006, 209 Posts, 3202 Comments

Comment posted by Sharon Hallowell on October 18, 2008 at 10:09 PM

This one! Love it! Sharon

Registered on November 1, 2003, 392 Posts, 4810 Comments

Comment posted by Jeff Hackett on October 19, 2008 at 10:05 PM

For me this one wins hands down. This is one of the best New England images I have seen. I really like how I can still see hints of the trees up the hillside. I tend to agree with the cropping suggestions even though it still top quality as is.

Registered on March 13, 2006, 65 Posts, 1119 Comments

Comment posted by Michael Anderson on October 21, 2008 at 6:38 AM

Jim,

Congratulations on the EP! Well deserved!

Registered on January 31, 2006, 228 Posts, 3072 Comments

Comment posted by Toni Lankerd on October 21, 2008 at 9:26 AM

This one gets my vote, Jim...the type of scene I also have been after for many years. Excellent lighting and composition! Congrats on the EP!

Registered on January 3, 2005, 360 Posts, 4004 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Salge on October 21, 2008 at 12:53 PM

Thanks to Kevin, Kah Kit and Jim for the pick this week! I'm glad that I came away from this location with a shot that so many could connect with!

I will probably try a few of the crops suggested here, but I have a good feeling about this one even as is!

Thanks again for all the critique, encouragement and praise!

Registered on February 23, 2006, 269 Posts, 2210 Comments

Comment posted by Mike Dawson on October 21, 2008 at 2:07 PM

Stellar work Jim, Congrats!

Registered on February 4, 2006, 364 Posts, 8872 Comments

Comment posted by Patricia Brundage on October 21, 2008 at 3:11 PM

Congratulations Jim. Well deserved.

Registered on March 23, 2006, 1111 Posts, 6531 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Graham on October 21, 2008 at 8:11 PM

Congrats on a well deserved EP!! Beautiful scene, well captured.

Registered on August 22, 2006, 842 Posts, 2824 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Fach on October 23, 2008 at 12:55 AM

Jim: This is just superb. Your other shot is good but the fog here with the church in a clear spot puts this one over the top. Congrats on the EP. Many kudos! >=))>

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1805 Posts, 26981 Comments

Comment posted by Larry Lynch on October 28, 2008 at 8:41 AM

Congrats on your EP. Well deserved.

Registered on September 16, 2006, 773 Posts, 9940 Comments

Comment posted by Robert Dayton on December 2, 2008 at 11:45 AM

Great image, Jim! It's really spiritual that the fog let up right over the church. Well worth the wait. Wonderful capture. I prefer this one to your post in NENP.

Registered on November 11, 2008, 281 Posts, 3958 Comments

Comment posted by Christine Adams on January 4, 2009 at 8:18 PM

Hey Jim!!! You know, I had a feeling a couple of months ago that this shot would go "all the way" and I was right. Couldn't happen to a nicer guy! Congrats!!!

Registered on January 24, 2006, 119 Posts, 1871 Comments

Comment posted by Larry Lynch on January 4, 2009 at 8:29 PM

Congratulations on a well deserved award.

Registered on September 16, 2006, 773 Posts, 9940 Comments

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on January 5, 2009 at 12:37 AM

This is definitely the better of the two, Jim. The fog really makes for some very nice light and a great way to frame the church.

Congratulations on the 2008 EPA.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 364 Posts, 22328 Comments

Comment posted by Ellen deBoer on January 5, 2009 at 11:24 AM

Congrats to you too, Jim! I have always loved your images and hope to see many more!

Registered on March 16, 2006, 419 Posts, 2076 Comments

Comment posted by Toni Lankerd on January 6, 2009 at 10:02 AM

Simply one of the best fall images I have seen...Congratulations, Jim!

Registered on January 3, 2005, 360 Posts, 4004 Comments

Comment posted by Mike DiRenzo on July 4, 2009 at 8:22 AM

This shot is excellent on many different levels. Great composition and lighting and the fog really seals the deal with the little church peaking out through the mist.

Registered on August 17, 2008, 0 Posts, 4 Comments