Willow Lake

Gallery: LandscapePosted January 8, 2012983 views29 comments

I was scrambling around Granite Dells on the Willow Lake side when a late afternoon storm developed. The cloud formations were getting interesting and I was looking for a foreground composition to use with the clouds so I went down to one of my favorite little coves to check out the water lines and everything came together for me. When we lived in Prescott the Granite Dells with Watson and Willow lake was one of my favorite places for landscape photography. I mainly post over on the avian side since I have become interested in bird photography but it is always fun to go back and visit the Dells.

Suggestions and comments most welcomed.

Prescott, AZ (07/03/11 6:12 pm)
Nikon D300s
Nikon 16-85 VR
1/125 sec, f3.5, split ND, hand held, single image.

UPDATE: Sorry for the confusion, I just now realized that I uploaded the wrong image for the larger post. That is what happens when you are tired and trying to do one more last thing on the computer.

Comments

29 comments

Comment posted by Eva McDermott on January 8, 2012 at 9:04 PM

The blue and white horizontal lines are wonderful Jim. The reflection is an extra bonus. I like hint of pinks and blues showcased in the muted colors.

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

Comment posted by Harley Goldman on January 8, 2012 at 9:40 PM

Great colors and lines on the rock. Love that. Reflection works too for a fine overall image.

Registered on November 19, 2003, 586 Posts, 11271 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Smith on January 8, 2012 at 9:57 PM

This is fun to look at...first I think it's b/w...then desaturated...then real colors with nature's paint strokes....Is this due to a dam or seasonal waterline? Nicely composed to showcase the rocks and cloud/sky with similar colors.

Registered on September 5, 2008, 449 Posts, 2444 Comments

Comment posted by Peter Coskun on January 8, 2012 at 10:44 PM

I love the drama in this. Great reflection and the water levels look incredibly low here.

Registered on October 31, 2011, 170 Posts, 1240 Comments

Comment posted by Art Escobado on January 8, 2012 at 10:57 PM

the blue and gray creates a great mood with these rocks!

Registered on January 7, 2007, 0 Posts, 775 Comments

Comment posted by Ned Fenimore on January 8, 2012 at 11:22 PM

That is a real interesting look to that rock ledge! I like the color and detail in it.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 467 Posts, 2803 Comments

Comment posted by Neale Dyster on January 9, 2012 at 12:35 AM

Beautiful reflection shot Jim. Nice job on the handheld too.
I must admit though, that I can't quite figure out why the prominent horo line and its reflection don't appear to match?

Registered on February 19, 2008, 94 Posts, 738 Comments

Comment posted by Jared Atencio on January 9, 2012 at 1:09 AM

From the thumbnail, I thought it was an over/under split, which makes this a fun image. Love the lines and colors here as well.

Registered on June 23, 2009, 21 Posts, 422 Comments

Comment posted by Balan Vinod on January 9, 2012 at 1:18 AM

Beautifully done Jim ....love the comp and the colors ..dont know if the end of the rock at the right works ...but is fantastic as is ...well done

Balan Vinod

Registered on March 20, 2006, 889 Posts, 2312 Comments

Comment posted by Shantikara Valuska on January 9, 2012 at 7:54 AM

This is a very nice image. I like the tones and the dramatic mood. I prefer the smaller version's composition.

Registered on July 25, 2011, 38 Posts, 451 Comments

Comment posted by Phil Pogledich on January 9, 2012 at 11:41 AM

I like both versions Jim. I have to say, I've been to this place (in midday) on a trip with family and while I recognized it almost immediately when I clicked on the thumbnail, I can't believe the transformation caused by the low water levels and the storm light. Fabulous stuff!

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

Comment posted by Rick Goldwasser on January 9, 2012 at 11:49 AM

This has a great mood with the cool tones and the stormy conditions, nicely done!

Registered on May 10, 2009, 127 Posts, 970 Comments

Comment posted by Aaron Feinberg on January 9, 2012 at 3:15 PM

Wow...what amazing rock and symmetry. Great stuff

aF

Registered on October 26, 2009, 399 Posts, 2789 Comments

Comment posted by Tonia Graves on January 9, 2012 at 7:11 PM

Jim, I love the moodiness this image envokes. Wonderful colors & detail in the rocks as well as a cool reflection. Nice work!

Registered on October 29, 2011, 92 Posts, 1035 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Baumbach on January 9, 2012 at 7:43 PM

This is very beautiful. Nice work.

- Dan

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

Comment posted by Doug Koepsel on January 9, 2012 at 9:43 PM

Jim, I like the horizontal blue/grey lines contrasting with the llines of the granite above, and how the crack lines in the granite angle toward the enter.

Registered on April 1, 2010, 196 Posts, 1592 Comments

Comment posted by David Edwards on January 9, 2012 at 11:48 PM

A fabulous image, Jim. Love the strong water line and the effects on the rock color. The soft pinks and blues are very nice together. I think I actually prefer the image you posted in the larger version due to the sky and slightly different comp, but both are very nice. Love the mirror reflection too.

Registered on December 6, 2008, 142 Posts, 2623 Comments

Comment posted by John Williams on January 10, 2012 at 1:40 AM

Well that's easily the most artistic use of a water-line that I've seen. Usually I hate what it does to a lake photo. True beauty Jim, well done!

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

Comment posted by Michael J Greene, on January 10, 2012 at 4:13 PM

Jim,

This is gorgeous work. I love the color palette and mood.

Michael

Registered on June 18, 2009, 86 Posts, 2317 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Metternich on January 10, 2012 at 11:24 PM

Incredible location caught very nicely! Thanks for sharing.

Registered on June 19, 2009, 276 Posts, 6240 Comments

Comment posted by Scott Miller on January 11, 2012 at 4:47 AM

The thumbnail for this one grabbed my eye and the larger version holds it. Great job.

Registered on May 9, 2011, 23 Posts, 322 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on January 11, 2012 at 10:24 AM

Thank you for all the comments, much appreciated. There is some really great landscape images being posted lately, amazing stuff.

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

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on January 11, 2012 at 4:58 PM

This is a wonderful image, Jim. The colors are fantastic and such an interesting scene with great mood.. The large version is even better! Like this alot.

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

Registered on February 1, 2004, 752 Posts, 14140 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on January 17, 2012 at 6:33 AM

You've done an outstanding job on this Jim. There's no way I can add to what has already been said..
I wouldn't change a thing, why mess with perfection

Just awesome my friend!

Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments

Comment posted by Ray Whitt on January 19, 2012 at 8:22 AM

Wonderful image, love all the shades of blue. Congratulations on the Editors Pick!

Ray

Registered on May 27, 2011, 92 Posts, 2619 Comments

Comment posted by Florian Aubin on January 19, 2012 at 12:28 PM

very nice calm landscape here, reflection, hues and texture are really great, well done.

Registered on April 8, 2011, 8 Posts, 100 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on January 19, 2012 at 1:20 PM

Thank you for all the comments and landscape moderators for the Weekly Pick, very much appreciated.
Regards,
Jim

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

Comment posted by Dorin Bofan on January 19, 2012 at 4:15 PM

Well deserved ep, Jim! Never seen something like this and the way you captured it is amazing.

Registered on April 30, 2007, 122 Posts, 3086 Comments

Comment posted by Stuart Williams on January 28, 2012 at 2:18 AM

gorgeous colours from cools to warms. nicely seen

Registered on December 7, 2007, 247 Posts, 4792 Comments