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Winter Morning
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Winter Morning

by Chad Merrell

Gallery: LandscapePosted July 10, 2010260 views21 comments
In the first year after I bought my camera I visited some beautiful places (ZNP, GTNP, Wind River Range). Yet, some of my favorite images come from close to home. Perhaps it is an emotional attachment and the photos really aren't very good.
I have lurked here long enough and feel like it is time to start posting. I am extremely hesitant to post along such amazing images, but lacking a mentor close to home, I figure this is the next step to improving though I have no ambitions to be more than an enthusiast. The photography is a result of my outdoor trips and not the other way around. C&C welcome. I hope the web conversion turns out OK.

Comments

21 comments
Comment posted by Richard Hartmann on July 10, 2010 at 2:14 AM
Not bad stranger, welcome. This is a strong first post.

There is a lot to like about this wonderful pic.
Nice cool colors and tones, great foreground to background, good balance, great light….

I can’t think of a way to improve this one.

I think it can help to be an outdoor enthusiast before a photographer. I’m sure you have a lifetime of experience to bring to the table.

Keep’em coming and don’t be afraid to comment on other peoples work.


Registered on January 15, 2009, 13 Posts, 772 Comments
Comment posted by Youssef Ismail on July 10, 2010 at 2:45 AM
Well Chad,

If this is close to your home, you are going to probably get a lot of visitors seeking images like these. This is stunning work and I cant wait to see more. Welcome to NPN.
Registered on November 1, 2003, 474 Posts, 5555 Comments
Comment posted by Mathieu Hoareau on July 10, 2010 at 3:01 AM
Hi Chad,

Wonderful first post. In the hot season at home, this is refreshing : ) hehe yesterday,I was be hesitant to post my first photograph but to day it's very pleasant to share his glance on the different location trough the world. That invites to the voyage, dreaming!

by the way, the foreground creates a beautiful 'window' on this mountainous chain in background with a delightful light and shadows which gives a super relief.you had a super moment !
Registered on July 9, 2010, 4 Posts, 120 Comments
Comment posted by Matt Anderson on July 10, 2010 at 7:27 AM
Owens-Bishop area ? I was just there two weeks ago for the first time. That whole area is so serene. I hope to shoot it again in September.

I love the soft delicate nature of this image. A lovely first post.The soft muted colors and the intricate textures work well.
Registered on September 6, 2007, 346 Posts, 2696 Comments
Comment posted by Ken Smith on July 10, 2010 at 8:51 AM
Welcome Chad, this is beautiful!

I agree how emotional attachments to a place can cloud our ability to judge a photo...but, no mistakes were made in this....composition, light, colors and contrasts are solid. I am a hobbiest too, with no aspirations and mediocre skills...this is a great place to find inspiration. Ken S
Registered on September 5, 2008, 449 Posts, 2444 Comments
Comment posted by Kevin Trinkner on July 10, 2010 at 9:18 AM
Welcome aboard Chad,

This is certainly a great place to learn and share. That first post is a little intimidating, but soon you will realize that most everyone here is trying to learn and help others improve. I've definitely learned a wealth of knowledge being a member here over the last few years.

This is a very nice, crisp winter image. Wonderful light on the peaks, nice clouds, nice reflections as well. Technically everything looks very sound. Personally I would be curious to see this without the fg elements and just have the river reflections in the fg. The "window" you've created here is nice, just feels a little cramped, and I keep wanting to see around it to enjoy the river reflections. Remember, just a thought. Still very nice as is.

Welcome Aboard! :toast:
Registered on June 30, 2008, 203 Posts, 2641 Comments
Comment posted by Mark Pelton on July 10, 2010 at 9:37 AM
Very nice. I love the foreground you included and the location along the river provides a strong fore/mid ground. Excellent image.
Registered on November 25, 2003, 380 Posts, 4647 Comments
Comment posted by Michael J Greene, on July 10, 2010 at 11:19 AM
Welcome aboard Chad. This is a gorgeous first post. Tranquil, serene, and beautiful. Looking forward to seeing more from you. Great work! :toast:
Registered on June 18, 2009, 86 Posts, 2317 Comments
Comment posted by Nick Bristol on July 10, 2010 at 11:54 AM
A very pretty scene, Chad. I like the looks with the frost. Nice color and a very nice feel.Well done and great first post!

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, Wi
Registered on February 1, 2004, 752 Posts, 14140 Comments
Comment posted by Bruce King on July 10, 2010 at 12:05 PM
Welcome Chad. Excellent first post. The composition is really well balanced and the fg elements create a nice frame for the rest of the scene. I like the cool tones and the detail is outstanding near to far. Great job. :toast:
Registered on January 14, 2010, 276 Posts, 2212 Comments
Comment posted by Angela Classen on July 10, 2010 at 12:10 PM
Very nice first post. The "window" created with the FG elements is super. I love the frost outlining all those grasses. Nice, soft pastel colors convey a real sense of serenity.

Welcome to NPN! This is a wonderful place to learn. Don't be shy to comment on the work of others, even if you feel you can't offer any advice. I've found looking at and commenting on the work of others has helped my photography immensely. It makes you view your own work more critically, which helps you to grow. I look forward to more of your posts!
Registered on June 13, 2007, 434 Posts, 2742 Comments
Comment posted by Abdullaziz Bin Ali on July 10, 2010 at 12:16 PM
I like the tone
it is really representing winter
Registered on May 31, 2009, 112 Posts, 1590 Comments
Comment posted by Nicolaus Wegner on July 10, 2010 at 12:53 PM
Beautiful opening post Chad. Everything about this shot makes me think awesome, frosty morning. I can feel the chill in this one. Very cool photograph.
Registered on February 21, 2010, 133 Posts, 1509 Comments
Comment posted by Bill Chambers on July 10, 2010 at 3:04 PM
Welcome to NPN Chad, and wonderful first post. I love the crisp, fresh feel this has. Looking forward to many more posts, and don't forget to comment on other work as well.
Registered on April 10, 2005, 753 Posts, 21216 Comments
Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on July 10, 2010 at 6:35 PM
Very nice comp and light, Chad. I like the framing of the frost-covered plants and the contents of what they frame. Who needs ZNP, GTNP, Wind River Range when you have this close to home. Follow your light.
Registered on November 1, 2003, 364 Posts, 22328 Comments
Comment posted by Lon Overacker on July 10, 2010 at 6:54 PM
Chad,

Welcome to NPN and the ES&S Gallery! What a fabulous way to make your entry. We've seen a few images from this part of the country as I'm sure you might guess, but I find this one quite unique. I really like the framing of the thistle and tall grasses. It's an occasion where you have included enough of the grasses (and on purpose) that they work beautifully to frame the rest of the scene. and the rest of the scene is beautiful. I'm especially drawn to the color of the willow. The light on the range is just right and you've got a nice set of clouds to complete the scene.

Welcome aboard. Please feel free to post some comments when you feel up to it. Also, it would be helpful to include some technicals about your image; not only for other folks to learn, but also is helpful in the ability of folks to offer critiques.

Thanks for posting!

Lon
Registered on November 24, 2006, 521 Posts, 19147 Comments
Comment posted by Steve Sieren on July 10, 2010 at 8:15 PM
I like the different plants framing your comp on each side. Nice spot you found here Chad! I would love to shoot here too.
Registered on January 2, 2008, 360 Posts, 5321 Comments
Comment posted by Chad Merrell on July 10, 2010 at 11:07 PM
Thanks all for your kind words and warm welcome. I too like this image. It gives credence to the old adage that "even a blind pig finds an acorn once in a while." :smile:
Matt- not California but northern Utah in Cache Valley. I live on the other, less photogenic side of the mountains.
Kevin-- one of my faults is that I seldom work a scene like I should but take what first comes and then I am off looking for the next scene while the light is good for fear that I will miss something.
Nicolaus-- I felt the chill that morning. 18 deg F when we got back to the truck to head home.
Lon--Yes I meant to include the technicals but forgot.
Canon 450D with Canon 15-85 EFS at 35mm
ISO 400--I don't rmember why I was at 400-perhaps forgot to change it?
f18 1/13 sec
Thanks again to all. I intend to post some more--but slowly. No sense in posting all of my good stuff in the first week. And I will certainly add my 2 cents worth on other images. I have learned a lot by lurking for the past year
Chad
Registered on July 8, 2010, 91 Posts, 304 Comments
Comment posted by Kent Mearig on July 11, 2010 at 2:54 AM
Lovely light on the mountains and nice soft colors in the shadows. I thoroughly enjoy many of the aspects of this photo. Personally, I feel like some of the foreground subjects loom a bit too large, but seeing that they're nice and sharp, they're not necessarily "bad". Pretty sweet first post.
Registered on September 4, 2006, 237 Posts, 4748 Comments
Comment posted by Chris Chamberlain on July 11, 2010 at 6:04 PM
I thought my mind was playing tricks on me. It looks so much like the Owens Valley area, but it doesn't either. I was thinking it had to be somewhere else. Anyway, it's a beautiful shot. I love the frost on the foreground subjects.

Chris
Registered on March 13, 2007, 500 Posts, 8365 Comments
Comment posted by Doug Roane on July 12, 2010 at 2:02 AM
Great image, Chad. The cool tones fit well with the frosty landscape. This comp works reasonably well, though would like to see a little more of the fg
Registered on December 12, 2008, 213 Posts, 2226 Comments