Nature Photographers Network
This is the preserved archive of the original Nature Photographers Network. The community continues at naturephotographers.network.
Windswept World
‹ PreviousLandscape GalleryNext ›

Windswept World

by Zack Clothier

Gallery: LandscapePosted March 16, 2011244 views15 comments
This is the first of a series of images that I took recently on a trek to two of the most difficult winter peaks in the Adirondacks, Algonquin and Iroquois, both of which are High Peaks (the 46 peaks over 4,000ft in the Adirondacks are considered the High Peaks). This was from the col between Boundary (a peak between the two peaks) and Algonquin. Mount Marcy, the highest point in New York at 5,334 feet, is in the distance, along with Mount Colden's imposing cliffs in front.

This is a stitch of 4 horizontal images, not sure how I am going to crop it yet for a print, any suggestions? Right now it is approx. 21 megapixels.

Please view Large to for much better detail!

Nikon D300s
1/400th Sec. @ f/13
ISO 100

Comments

15 comments
Comment posted by Lizzie Shepherd on March 16, 2011 at 4:04 PM
I love this Zack - amazing texture and great lead in lines - personally I wouldn't crop it at all - I'd leave it just as is.
Registered on March 2, 2011, 18 Posts, 120 Comments
Comment posted by R.Bill Moser on March 16, 2011 at 5:21 PM
I love the leading lines and the textures in this one. I would not crop it all. i love this as is.
Registered on January 29, 2010, 285 Posts, 4281 Comments
Comment posted by Eva McDermott on March 16, 2011 at 6:17 PM
I like the sweeping lines and snow shapes Zack. I would not crop it but if you must, I like the center left area.
Registered on January 4, 2009, 1015 Posts, 13229 Comments
Comment posted by Mark Seaver on March 16, 2011 at 7:06 PM
The textures in the ice and the flow lines leading into the distance work so well that I wouldn't touch this.
Registered on January 23, 2011, 1103 Posts, 17270 Comments
Comment posted by Vlad Sadovsky on March 16, 2011 at 7:09 PM
Crop works very well for me, i really like the leading lines and the accent of the cloud. Excelletn capture of the scene and panoramic aspect ratio lives up well with the lines.
Registered on November 12, 2010, 48 Posts, 358 Comments
Comment posted by Wayne Jones on March 16, 2011 at 10:23 PM
Zack, this is STUNNING! :toast: :toast: :toast:

The lines in the windswept snow would be nice if they just pointed to the sky, but to get them pointed at Marcy, lined up with Colvin's slides to boot, well... you've got yourself a classic winter high peaks image.

As for cropping, you don't need no stinkin' cropping. Bit if for some formatting reason you need to make it less long and narrow, it would still be pretty strong if you took a little off the right side. Not advocating that, because the lines perfectly lead the eye to Colvin and Marcy as is, but if you did need to make a crop, that would emphasize the distant cloud splitter even more. If you can, leave it as is.

The only suggestion I can think of (besides making a large poster of this) might be to increase the contrast in the distant peaks just a little, so you have sparking whites contrasted better against the blue sky, and the lines of the slides standing out a bit more, too.
Registered on April 18, 2007, 953 Posts, 6435 Comments
Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on March 16, 2011 at 11:41 PM
Are those trees under there? The winds here must be horrendous. The image tells quite a story.
Registered on November 1, 2003, 364 Posts, 22328 Comments
Comment posted by Zack Clothier on March 17, 2011 at 12:03 AM
Thanks for the comments so far. I really don't want to crop any part of the image but as is the image is approx 9.25x21.75 @ 300 dpi, the only ''standard'' size close to this is 10x20. This size crops off about 2 inches from the image, which I did not like. A 9x20 crop is perfect, not sure where I could get that size printed though :confused:

Wayne: Thanks for the suggestion, I will try adding a bit more contrast to the mountains.

Tony: Yes, spruce trees to be exact. These particular ones are approx. 7-8 feet tall, this gives an idea of how deep the snow is. This col between peaks is full of spruce traps. Falling in one is not pleasant, and getting back out is even less so!
Registered on January 28, 2010, 343 Posts, 2257 Comments
Comment posted by dean hebert on March 17, 2011 at 12:47 AM
The wind-swept lines are great, I would hate to see any of it cropped. :toast:
Registered on August 4, 2010, 70 Posts, 1132 Comments
Comment posted by Vance Gese on March 17, 2011 at 1:31 AM
Outstanding image, Zack. The forms and textures in the snow are incredible. I really like the pano format as presented and would be hesitant to crop anything. Man, those winds must howl through this area. Superb.
Registered on November 13, 2008, 298 Posts, 6629 Comments
Comment posted by Gary McGhee on March 17, 2011 at 10:48 AM
I wouldn't crop it either Zack. The lines created in the wind swept snow are excellent, it sure looks like a very harsh place. Nice detail in the snow too.

Gary.
Registered on April 15, 2010, 142 Posts, 2416 Comments
Comment posted by INGOMA on March 17, 2011 at 8:28 PM
A unique and interesting composition, Zack. Kudos on making it up there, on snowshoes I assume? I went up the high peaks earlier this year, failing on backcountry skis but succeeding on snowshoes.

I very much like the leading lines formed by the snow as well as the beautiful snow covered trees! This is a very effective composition and I like this image a lot.

Regards,
Christoph
Registered on July 2, 2004, 231 Posts, 3110 Comments
Comment posted by Mark Metternich on March 18, 2011 at 12:33 PM
Wish the flow went left to right (to create a sense of peace for us westerners who read left to right) but aside from that, great comp and nice shot! :toast:
Registered on June 19, 2009, 276 Posts, 6240 Comments
Comment posted by Paul Duval on March 19, 2011 at 10:42 AM
Zack,
A custom frame is insane due to cost, but if your have the notion and the desire doing your own custom matte may be the way to go. Properly done I think it will showcase this fine image withut losing a pixel.

Paul
Registered on June 30, 2009, 508 Posts, 1907 Comments
Comment posted by Harry Lichtman on March 20, 2011 at 4:15 PM
Why crop it at all? Looks fantastic in this format. Love the rime icing and wind blown contours - reminds me of NH's White Mnts. Also like the vertical more recently posted.
Registered on September 17, 2010, 304 Posts, 3507 Comments