Japanese Winter

Gallery: LandscapePosted December 2, 2009516 views35 comments

Nikon has chosen this image to feature in their ad in the december issue of National Geographic (Dutch Edition). The ad is about being able to trust your equipment in even the harshest conditions.

As this shot is more about the whole scene than about the cranes, I decided to post it here. If it needs to be moved to the Avian forum, please feel free to do so.

The shot was taken on Hokkaido, Japan. This river is where some of the local cranes spend the night. I visited the place a couple of times, hoping for optimal conditions, and on one morning I saw this. It was terribly cold and the relatively warm water caused this wonderful mist that immidiately froze the moment it came into contact with the surrounding trees.

Nikon D2Xs, AF-S VR 200-400/4.0, 1.4x TC, 1/500 @ f/13, ISO 400, tripod, lots of warm clothes

Comments

35 comments

Comment posted by Verena & Georg Pop on December 2, 2009 at 6:33 AM

superb - as usual.
georg

Registered on July 5, 2006, 272 Posts, 2823 Comments

Comment posted by Eva McDermott on December 2, 2009 at 7:07 AM

What a splendid winter scene Marsel! I like the ethereal atmosphere.

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

Comment posted by Patricia Brundage on December 2, 2009 at 7:13 AM

Absolutely breathtaking image!

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

Comment posted by Paulo A.Lopes on December 2, 2009 at 7:51 AM

Perfect.

Registered on October 14, 2008, 122 Posts, 836 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Maile on December 2, 2009 at 8:14 AM

Great image Marsel!!! Love the "lots of warm clothes" description too!

Registered on March 2, 2009, 984 Posts, 2518 Comments

Comment posted by Joseph Balcken on December 2, 2009 at 8:24 AM

Beautiful. Thanks for braving the elements to bring this back for everyone.

Registered on November 29, 2009, 48 Posts, 249 Comments

Comment posted by Guy Tal on December 2, 2009 at 8:32 AM

I can see why it was chosen. One of the most moving winter images I have ever seen.

Guy

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

Comment posted by Morris McClung on December 2, 2009 at 9:02 AM

It immediately engages the viewer. Superb work.

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

Comment posted by Ian Plant on December 2, 2009 at 9:28 AM

Beautiful image Marsel!

Registered on July 7, 2008, 271 Posts, 1657 Comments

Comment posted by Kurt Budliger on December 2, 2009 at 9:40 AM

Very pretty, love the frosted trees and rising mist.

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

Comment posted by Paul Marcellini on December 2, 2009 at 10:11 AM

Just beautiful. Congrats. The layers are just so nice to explore.

Registered on November 27, 2007, 250 Posts, 2468 Comments

Comment posted by Laurent Baig on December 2, 2009 at 10:13 AM

I was about to ask where the moose was

Beautiful image, Marsel. This is exquiste both as a landscape and a wildlife image.

Registered on January 12, 2005, 206 Posts, 6784 Comments

Comment posted by Stephen Weaver on December 2, 2009 at 10:22 AM

fabulous!

Registered on November 1, 2003, 226 Posts, 623 Comments

Comment posted by Kevin Trinkner on December 2, 2009 at 11:33 AM

Incredible image, congrats on having it chosen by Nikon!

Registered on June 30, 2008, 203 Posts, 2641 Comments

Comment posted by Martin Stankiewicz on December 2, 2009 at 11:49 AM

Absolutely stunning!

Registered on October 26, 2008, 52 Posts, 462 Comments

Comment posted by Phil Pogledich on December 2, 2009 at 11:52 AM

Magnificent in every way.

Registered on August 24, 2009, 123 Posts, 3099 Comments

Comment posted by Floris van Breugel on December 2, 2009 at 12:21 PM

Wonderful conditions Marsel, and I love the cranes hiding in the mist. I've got to go there one day!

Registered on December 19, 2008, 306 Posts, 4840 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Niebrugge on December 2, 2009 at 12:45 PM

That is wonderful.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 12 Posts, 250 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Baumbach on December 2, 2009 at 1:27 PM

Beautiful image, Marsel and congrats on the Nikon ad.

- Dan.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 473 Posts, 7980 Comments

Comment posted by Dietrich Gloger on December 2, 2009 at 2:40 PM

A magic moment you have captured here.

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

Comment posted by Robert Dayton on December 2, 2009 at 3:00 PM

For a winter scenic including wildlife, it doesn't get any better than this.

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

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on December 2, 2009 at 3:21 PM

Fantastic shot for such difficult lighting, a pleasure to view, way to go.

Registered on September 17, 2009, 302 Posts, 5535 Comments

Comment posted by Karsten Wrobel on December 2, 2009 at 3:27 PM

this is one spectacular image, I really like your work from this place, makes me want to go there...

Registered on November 1, 2008, 117 Posts, 851 Comments

Comment posted by Daniel & Loana on December 2, 2009 at 4:00 PM

Great shot!
D&L

Registered on October 7, 2008, 166 Posts, 3044 Comments

Comment posted by Vance Gese on December 2, 2009 at 8:32 PM

Absolutely stunning. One of those jaw dropping images that leaves one speechless. Superb work.

Registered on November 13, 2008, 298 Posts, 6629 Comments

Comment posted by Albert Darmo on December 2, 2009 at 10:53 PM

Hi marsel

Absolutely facinating

Superb in every detail.

Albert Darmo Canada

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

Comment posted by Phillip Noll on December 2, 2009 at 11:06 PM

This is absolutely stunning! What else is there to say! Congratulations on such a fine image!!

Registered on November 17, 2003, 207 Posts, 1083 Comments

Comment posted by Rafael Rojas on December 3, 2009 at 4:17 AM

Amazing image Marsel. Fairy i would say. Well done...

Registered on March 1, 2009, 56 Posts, 623 Comments

Comment posted by Marsel van Oosten on December 3, 2009 at 7:59 AM

Thanks for all the kind words.

Registered on March 9, 2004, 285 Posts, 2277 Comments

Comment posted by Michael Anderson on December 3, 2009 at 11:52 AM

Wow,

Another stunning shot! Absolutely amazing work as usual! I'm always looking forward to seeing more of your work.

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

Comment posted by Anthony Vincent on December 3, 2009 at 7:29 PM

Man do I love scenes like this Marsel

The fact that you captured the mist and trees is nice on their own, but the addition to the cranes completes the story. Well documented and thanks for sharing a beautiful image.

Registered on February 5, 2009, 199 Posts, 2775 Comments

Comment posted by Daniel Ewert on December 3, 2009 at 8:34 PM

Outstanding! Beautiful image here, and a nice addition to your already wonderful portfolio.

Registered on June 2, 2009, 103 Posts, 1500 Comments

Comment posted by Chip Phillips on December 3, 2009 at 8:34 PM

Nice image Marsel. The mist is very special. I'm assuming your equipment made it through the conditions.

Registered on November 26, 2007, 128 Posts, 1436 Comments

Comment posted by Neil Rossmiller on December 4, 2009 at 12:01 AM

I love the way the ess curve keeps leading you deeper and deeper into the image. Another incredible dream scape, Marsel

Neil

Registered on October 30, 2009, 156 Posts, 749 Comments

Comment posted by Roman Kurywczak on December 6, 2009 at 10:01 AM

Striking mood and feel to this Marsel! Very nicely done!

Registered on November 20, 2009, 56 Posts, 748 Comments