In Winter's Shadow

Wow, very impressive Marc. Love the fragility of the FG snow/ice. There's a little area on the extreme left (at the border) just below the trees where the color looks a little funky, about the size of a fingerprint. That really grabs my attention, not in a good way; I don't know if it's a shadow or what.

Wow! You are right Marc...look at it large! Just Beautiful to see. I love the feel of this and the wonderful detail. The light and colors are wonderful! Really, really nice. I do see what Bill mentioned and not sure if it is just from shadow, but looks like it might be.

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

impressive comp. and colors.

I have a question regarding
"6 shots extreme DOF blended (the entire foreground here is about 15 inches across total!)."
Why such a talented landscape photographer would do this while you have all what it takes to make a photo sing with one shot?

Master skills Nice light and reflection! With all that ice crystal detail in the foreground I can see why you did several DOF blends. Well Done.

Waleed, you can NOT make this photograph in just one shot, that's why. The reason is simple - the camera and lens do not have the capability to focus this close and still get infinity in focus. The closest thing to me was only about 10cm away, at left. That would have been totally blurry without the DOF blending and I would not have gotten the detail in the ice crystals that make the large print work so well without it. It requires a lot more technical thinking to make photographs like this, which isn't for everyone, but it absolutely increases the number of possible scenes you can capture. If I can use these digital tools to make better photos or capture something I could not before, I definitely will. It's true that I do not need to, but I will do it because for me there is no reason not to.

As always, just beautiful. The ice crusted trees, ice crystals along the water...gives you an idea of just how cold it is. I appreciate you going into a little more detail of what it took to make this shot come all together. It is certainly helpful for me to get more insight.

The detail in the foreground is incredible. Really spectacular when viewed large. There is nothing not to like about this one. I'm wondering, if you could get a similar result using a tilt shift lens? Obviously a regular lens would be a no go, but what are your thoughts on using a TS lens for these scenes?

My thoughts are that I still can't get this much DOF or control just by using one alone and even if I got one, I'd then need to carry another prime, which I don't like doing. Thanks.

This is amazing Marc - I like it very much. Here is why I like it so - first the delicate crystals of ice along the edges of the stream are just wonderful - and second the tonality of the colors really convey the mood well.. It looks great and you are right about enjoying it in the full sized version.

Wonderful Marc, the foreground rocks are what really make this image for me! The hoar frost coating everything is amazing in the large image.

Awesome work as always....

Marc, you gotta like the frost... rare and crunchy. Captured so well in the foreground detail. I am flabbergasted that the bottom of frame and the pool is only 15 in wide. It takes vision to let so small a puddle loom this large and play a dominant role in the frame. I have to imagine you were scrunched down, maybe splaying the tripod legs to straddle the pool. Beyond the dof issue how well you handled the light on mountain and in the reflection is worth noting. Mine would come through blackish. A scant misty looking suggest a hint of breath on the lens could go a long way towards softening the center. Stunning.

Thanks, Ken. These rocks were just tiny pebbles and the camera was not on a tripod. The camera was balanced on a rock only millimeters from the water surface. There was some mist back there because of the open water (a river nearby) and air temperature of about -5F. Slightly warmer springs here keep the water from freezing completely.

Yeah baby, that’s what I’m talkin about. First off, this is just plain pretty and has plenty of impact. Beyond that I’m once again impressed by your vision and technical execution. Nothing here seems funky or out of proportion. This just sings…

Thanks for sharing the techs and like Ken, I’m surprised to find that the foreground is so narrow.

That fg is the star of the show! Loving the detail...hard to believe it is only 15 inches across! So... are you gonna get that D800 to match that 12-24 lens when it comes available?

Yes, Rick. I am in fact switching systems entirely and will be shooting the D800 and 14-24 the day it becomes available. I've actually already paid for the camera and have an assortment of Nikon lenses to go with it....damn that heavy f/2.8 70-200.... But I'm also keeping all my Canon gear so I have both. Thanks. I can't wait to see what that camera can do!

Very nice, Marc. The details in the snow and mid-ground trees are really nice.

I kinda thought you would :)

Incredible shot! The DOF blending looks great---something I hope to learn soon. It's inspiring to see such examples of how it should be used. As for the scene itself, I love the comp, mood, detail, etc. in this. Looks like some great lighting (sunrise/sunset?), also.

Don't you ever accidentally ruin a shot by leaving a snowshoe trail in the middle of a scene out there? I'd be a nervous wreck, cautiously scouting areas that might be great shooting locations...

BTW, in the large image, is the bottom right ridge of snow (just above to the water) a bit blurry in comparison to the bottom left corner? Anyways, it's not real noticeable to me, but I thought I'd mention it... TFS!

Outstanding. The colors, the sweet light, the great composition, this is just a great all around image.

Gorgeous image Marc. Large view is spectacular.

I am actually going backwards Marc and purchased a Pentax 67ii, a variety of 67 lenses, as well as an adapter to use those lenses on my 5DM2. Still experimenting but edge sharpness should be better (I don't like working on the computer in general.) A lot of fun fooling around with new and old technologies though.

Amazing frost formation beautiful scene

Said it before... one of my favs from you new set. the detail in the rocks and frost is amazing

Wonderful composition and light captured here Marc. Superb work in my opinion.
Bob

Absolutely beautiful! I love Winter scenes like this. The ice crystal detail really makes it for me. Minor nit: the vignette is too pronounced for me (it makes the tree on left darker than the others). If you switch gear, im gonna stop commenting on your photos (yeah, i know--'is that a threat or a promise? ) I was doing a lot of DOF blends until i switched to TS--a lot less now. My 17-40L is gathering dust, the 24mm is so much better than that and the 16-35 (a little heavier though, which sucks...) anyhow, ill shut up now and go shoot cause i hate the gear talk...

Marc, you handled the relation between near and distant elements in your composition in an exceptional way for me. I especially enjoy the snow covered twigs in the midground, repeating the pattern of the snow cristals in the foreground. This work has great impact on me.

Peter

Just a beautiful capture Marc. The DOF blending looks very natural. Those ice crystals really make the shot for me! There looks to be a noticeable downward tilt to the right, but I'm guessing that's just an illusion caused by the sloped shore.

Superb Marc. As others have said those FG crystals really do it for me. I'd love to see this image very large. Are you doing the focus blending manually or using one of the sw packages generally available?

Wow what a stunningly beautiful image and to think the FG is only 15 in across--it jus boggles my mind!

Really impressive image Marc. I would have never guessed that the foreground is just a small pool of water. I like watching your new images to see how you push the envelope of what is possible in digital photography. Thanks for sharing your technique.

Simply incredible. The depth and scale, the textures and colors are spectacular. Would never have guessed the foreground being only 15 inches across. Amazing work.

Stunning.......15 inches...mindbending. I could go on but I'd only be repeating what's a;ready been said. I will say however, I really appreciate how you respond to comments with further explanations and thoughts about the image and how it was shot.

Yep, that's an Adamus! Love it dude. I'll be back to my homeland in a couple of weeks then after a SW workshop I will get back again and because of many of your snow shots mainly, think snow shoing! :) Cheers.

Very nice Marc. Love all the details in that frost. I been checking out your latest stuff from the UAE also. Looks like you had a good time over there, and came back with some killer images!

Has your signature on it Marc. Nice work!

Perfect landscape Marc, absolutely love this.

Gary.

My iPhone 4 could have nailed all the DOF with room to spare, no really, er no.

I don't think people realize how difficult an image like this is to even "see", let alone produce on a top level. The spatial layering of "Near Middle Far" is about as tough as it gets here. But. your execution makes it look like nothing too complicated in framing this, a sign of job well done.

The most difficult part of this shot for me personally would have been the -5°F. Even being from Wisconsin, those extreme temperatures on exposed hands for a decent amount of time cause me to be hurried and sloppy.

Well done Marc.

no comment my teacher

Marc, this is really nice. The Hoarfrost really seals the deal.

Just exquisite - congrats on the WP!
Sandy

Fabulous image Marc.
Congrats on a well-deserved WP!

Incredible shot....Grand salute

This is so gorgeous Marc.. Inexplicable is the word for me.. Congrats on WP

One of your best for soft, subtle light and serenity.

I see what Bill notices on the left. Looks to be on the right side too, though not as obvious.

Congrats on another excellent image Marc, really enjoyed reading about your process of capturing this. How were you able to adjust focus with the camera balancing on a rock, without moving the camera ever so slightly between exposures

Wow Marc switching to Nikon ?! I would never expect that to happen. But I believe you know what is best for you and what you need to achieve your visions. Anyway the shot is beautiful as always. I was just wondering what technique you use for blending for DOF ?

Great stuff, amazing detail in the frost

Such a stunning image, just breathtaking. Is this in Canada? You can feel the cold, but love the detail in the water, sky and snow. Truly gorgeous.

wow wow wow details and colors!!! another what you nailed down!