Autumn Pond

Gallery: LandscapePosted October 23, 2009342 views20 comments

A little pond found in my travels one autumn in Alaska. In the area between the Peters Hills and Trapper Creek for those interested. Early in the morning with not a whiff of wind. Had to use a 5 minute exposure with the film, polarizer, aperture, lighting, and reciprocity failure but this gave some streaking of the clouds reflected in the water. No sunrise color I realize but I have always liked the result. Would like to see what you folks think.
4x5, 120mm, polarizer, Velvia, f32.5, 5 minutes.

Large file provided.

Thoughts, suggestions, ideas, critiques are always welcomed.
Thanks.

Comments

20 comments

Comment posted by Joel Hazelton on October 23, 2009 at 1:24 AM

I'm amazed at how sharp the grass came out with a 5 minute exposure. I'm wondering about seeing a bit more at the top, but this is still great as is.

Registered on August 6, 2008, 194 Posts, 1315 Comments

Comment posted by Dean Sauskojus on October 23, 2009 at 1:53 AM

The reflection of the black trees and the clouds make the shot. Very stark contrast to the grasses and surroundings. Well composed and well thought out image. Nice work.

Registered on September 29, 2009, 137 Posts, 2659 Comments

Comment posted by Greg Maklae on October 23, 2009 at 5:29 AM

This photo is all about the reflections. Great sharpness for such an exposure. I would not change a thing.

Registered on November 18, 2008, 170 Posts, 759 Comments

Comment posted by Eva McDermott on October 23, 2009 at 8:50 AM

The dark reflect and still grasses are wonderful Vance. I also like the contrast of the dark reflection and yellows. Beautiful work!

Registered on January 4, 2009, 1015 Posts, 13229 Comments

Comment posted by Guy Tal on October 23, 2009 at 8:55 AM

At the risk of repeating myself - you have such a wonderful way of portraying quiet peaceful scenes with great attention to detail. It's obvious the place speaks to you.

Guy

Registered on November 1, 2003, 566 Posts, 15507 Comments

Comment posted by Mel Ladewig on October 23, 2009 at 9:29 AM

Beautiful capture of autumnal tones Vance. The stillness in the creek and the grass is amazing!

Registered on July 24, 2005, 114 Posts, 1205 Comments

Comment posted by Larry Gloth on October 23, 2009 at 10:07 AM

Really attractive scene for it's composition and detail, as well as it's simplicity. I lke the way the water leads you back into the scene. I wouldn't have thought that detail in the grass was possible with a 5 minute exposure. Well done.

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

Comment posted by Ricardo La Piettra on October 23, 2009 at 10:08 AM

Beautiful scene Vance, i like a lot how you framed it. Color tones are stunning.

Registered on July 22, 2009, 62 Posts, 730 Comments

Comment posted by Gabi Lach on October 23, 2009 at 10:28 AM

Very nice scene with beautiful reflexion. You captured nice late autumn mood here, Vance. I like your composition too.

Registered on May 1, 2007, 101 Posts, 3187 Comments

Comment posted by Daniel Rappaport on October 23, 2009 at 11:48 AM

Very well composed and executed.

Registered on September 9, 2009, 294 Posts, 2006 Comments

Comment posted by Robert Domm on October 23, 2009 at 12:24 PM

Beautiful large format image and amazingly sharp for such a long exposure. i love the tranquility this shot conveys.

Registered on July 2, 2009, 17 Posts, 81 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Chambers on October 23, 2009 at 3:09 PM

I almost didn't look at this because it looked uninteresting in the thumbnail (Yes, I should know better!). Glad I looked. I love the varied, beautiful colors in the grass as well as the reflection. Nice job Vance.

Registered on April 10, 2005, 753 Posts, 21216 Comments

Comment posted by Dietrich Gloger on October 23, 2009 at 3:15 PM

I like this one a lot Vance. Yes. light and colors are not sweet or radiant, but it does not matter. The comp is very strong and it conveys a great mood for me. Colors actually are very appealing here. This has a kind of color palette I associate with Dan Baumbach's work - excellent work once again Vance!

Registered on January 26, 2007, 360 Posts, 9876 Comments

Comment posted by John Williams on October 23, 2009 at 7:28 PM

Works well for me Vance, especially the tree reflections.

Registered on September 6, 2007, 221 Posts, 5985 Comments

Comment posted by Bruno Silva on October 23, 2009 at 9:14 PM

great comp. very pleasent scene. the reflection and deph are nice. wouldn´t change a thing, imo.

Registered on May 6, 2009, 132 Posts, 1406 Comments

Comment posted by Albert Darmo on October 23, 2009 at 10:42 PM

Hi Vance

Your presentation is what rich color tones are about. The composition and reflections of the evergreens all add this fine scene.
Albert Darmo Canada

Registered on November 25, 2008, 1386 Posts, 11978 Comments

Comment posted by Chris Chamberlain on October 23, 2009 at 10:46 PM

I like it too! I've tried it a few times, but nothing this nice to show for it.

Chris

Registered on March 13, 2007, 500 Posts, 8365 Comments

Comment posted by Morris McClung on October 24, 2009 at 11:07 AM

Yeah, shoot me an e-mail on when your Alaska book is coming out! More marvelous magic.

Registered on May 7, 2007, 670 Posts, 19650 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Overacker on October 24, 2009 at 1:54 PM

Vance,

Well, I'd say the results were fantastic. The long exposure allowing the clouds to streak I think has a huge impact on this scene. Add to that the grasses remained motionless and you've created an outstanding image. I do think the top 1/4 is a bit dark, especially with the evergreens, but I'm not sure if lightening the top would benefit anything - maybe something to play around with.
Regardless, this is wonderful.

Lon

Registered on November 24, 2006, 521 Posts, 19147 Comments

Comment posted by Ian Cameron on October 26, 2009 at 2:05 PM

Like this Vance very natural colours and shadow detail feels that you can reach out and touch it.

Registered on August 6, 2004, 1125 Posts, 3318 Comments