Frozen Dawn

Gallery: LandscapePosted February 25, 2012725 views34 comments

Hey folks, sorry I haven't been too active lately. Been recovering from reconstructive ACL surgery on the knee and so I haven't been out with the camera much in the last two months.

This one here is actually a major crop from my last posted image. You can see where I cropped. I was just playing around because I had an original 35mm image taken at the same time using a long lens. I'll post that one below. Clearly the two are different in color and processing and I'm curious as to which one you prefer. Both are Velvia, but one is 35mm, this first one 4x5 and of course scanned and processed differently. It's been too many years and I could begin to remember what it actually looked like, so I'll have to rely on best guess at this point and/or creative license. ;-)

Sunrise over the Lower Klamath Lake and NWR in extreme Northern, CA 1996. Your comments and critiques welcome.

Thanks!

Lon

Comments

34 comments

Comment posted by Lon Overacker on February 25, 2012 at 3:50 PM

ok, here's the 35mm version. Nikon F4S, Nikon 80-200 zoomed out (I think) and Velvia. Maybe the Tamron 300mm/2.8.

Registered on November 24, 2006, 521 Posts, 19147 Comments

Comment posted by Scott Fricke on February 25, 2012 at 3:59 PM

Beautifully composed crop Lon! The detail in the background ice and in the foreground adds a lot of interest to an image with few elements. I much prefer the first image for it's warmer color and it also seems a little brighter which shows off the foreground detail better IMO. Nicely done!

Registered on January 19, 2007, 133 Posts, 1448 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on February 25, 2012 at 4:04 PM

This looks great Lon. I much prefer the crop of the 4x5 image over the 35mm version. That is mostly because of the color I guess, which is more appealing to me in the first one. Beautiful work...I love the light too.
edit: I guess Scott left his comment while I was in the process of doing mine and I see I agree with him.

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

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

Comment posted by Barry Ashenhurst on February 25, 2012 at 4:05 PM

Very beautiful, Lon. And if you don't mind me saying, it reminds me of the elegant compositions of Shinzo Maeda.

Registered on August 4, 2009, 253 Posts, 455 Comments

Comment posted by Jeremy Cram on February 25, 2012 at 4:30 PM

First one for sure Lon. The original seem to have better color and flow to it. Very nice elegant image.

Registered on June 4, 2006, 204 Posts, 818 Comments

Comment posted by Chris Chamberlain on February 25, 2012 at 5:18 PM

I was hoping you did something like this when I saw the original post! I definately like the color and luminosity of the first cropped image better. The 35mm seems to have a little more detail of the patterns in the ice though? But I'd still go with the cropped version as a preference.

So, how's the recovery going?

Registered on March 13, 2007, 500 Posts, 8365 Comments

Comment posted by Daniel Rappaport on February 25, 2012 at 5:47 PM

Great composition and colors. The crop definitely pulls me in better.

Registered on September 9, 2009, 294 Posts, 2006 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Baumbach on February 25, 2012 at 5:57 PM

Very pretty Lon. Love the simplicity of it.

- Dan

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

Comment posted by Robert Dayton on February 25, 2012 at 6:56 PM

Although I like them both, I prefer the first one because of its color. That's
my subjective call. For me this has a bit of a minimalist and oriental feel to
it. It's simple but artistic. Good placement of the foliage.
You have a good eye. I hope that your knee recovery
is complete and rapid.

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

Comment posted by Lon Overacker on February 25, 2012 at 7:31 PM

Thanks for the comments folks! I kinda thought the first, 4x5cropped version would get a better response. I'll always have a special place for the 35mm which is what gave me the idea of the bigger film crop in the first place. But I'll need to revisit a fresh scan of the old 35mm one day and re-worked with my current techniques.

Barry - thanks for the reference to Shinzo Maed. Although honestly I had to look him up! Unfortunately there's little on the web in terms of a body of work that I could find, just scattered bits and pieces on the web. I can certainly see how I might enjoy his work.

Thanks Chris and Robert. Recovery and therapy are going very well. I'm just trying to keep from doing something stupid like trip or something.... ;-)

Lon

Registered on November 24, 2006, 521 Posts, 19147 Comments

Comment posted by Paul Breitkreuz on February 25, 2012 at 7:53 PM

Lon, this isolated or cropped scene is excellent. The view makes for a wonderful image here. The placement of the small plant is perfect in the overall scheme of things.
Following up on this adventure, it truly does look plenty cold out there too......

I assume this is one of the images you'd mentioned the other night in your email too. I finally got a chance to answer back earlier today.

Registered on February 25, 2006, 525 Posts, 8448 Comments

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on February 25, 2012 at 9:01 PM

I like them both, but the simplicity and graphic quality of this image appeals to me more. This feels a tad overexposed to me. I like the rich colors in the underexposed 35-mm image.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 364 Posts, 22328 Comments

Comment posted by Kory Lidstrom on February 25, 2012 at 10:51 PM

Very zen like. Not sure if I would like it better with the plant in there or not, but either way it's very nice work.

Registered on November 19, 2008, 49 Posts, 1035 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Metternich on February 26, 2012 at 12:03 AM

Excellent warm on cool and simple scene Lon. Hope the knee gets well quick and your back on the road soon!

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

Comment posted by Stan Rose on February 26, 2012 at 12:23 AM

I prefer the top version--brighter and more vibrant. Extremely minor nit: the top of the grass crossing right at the dividing line. Excellent shot, Lon!

Registered on September 15, 2005, 836 Posts, 17099 Comments

Comment posted by Eva McDermott on February 26, 2012 at 12:24 AM

I definitely like the more olden light in the first post Lon. The comp in both works well. I really like simple, intimate images like this. Gorgeous image!

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

Comment posted by Lon Overacker on February 26, 2012 at 12:58 AM

Thanks again folks!

Hey, leave it to Stan to pick up on the merge.

Actually, if it weren't my image I would have made the same observation and was wondering how long it would take before someone commented. I guess I could "shorten" the plant in PS.

Lon

Registered on November 24, 2006, 521 Posts, 19147 Comments

Comment posted by Vance Gese on February 26, 2012 at 1:37 AM

Thoroughly enjoyed the wide view of this that you posted before and this 'extract' from the 4x5 has an entirely different feel, of course, and is simply superb. The textures and details in the frost and ice lit by that golden glow, together with the graceful lines make this a joy to view, Lon. Interesting how the 4x5 extract image seems to have a greater range in tones compared to the 35mm, although this could be differences in processing as you state in your narrative. Have to say I prefer the 4x5 image, but both are gorgeous.
Hope you are past the worst days of the post-op physical therapy. My brother has had both knees done in the past few years and said the PT was the toughest part; his last was in November. Hope you are back on your feet and out with the 4x5 soon. The Yosemite spring will soon be beckoning I would think.

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

Comment posted by Zack Clothier on February 26, 2012 at 2:23 AM

The colors in the first image are lovely Lon, I would have preferred a bit more seperation between the water and the reeds but that's minor. I still much prefer your original post of this scene over this crop.

Registered on January 28, 2010, 343 Posts, 2257 Comments

Comment posted by Gary McGhee on February 26, 2012 at 9:56 AM

It's definately the crop for me Lon, colour and space are a lot more pleasing to my eye.

Wishing you a speedy recovery Lon,

Gary.

Registered on April 15, 2010, 142 Posts, 2416 Comments

Comment posted by Lorna Taylor on February 26, 2012 at 11:04 AM

Lon this is so beautiful , love the light and lines !! They are both divine !

Registered on November 12, 2010, 254 Posts, 3083 Comments

Comment posted by Karthick Ramachand on February 26, 2012 at 11:29 AM

I like the composition and the overall treatment in this one Lon. What I love the most is that withered plant twig making a connection between the two ice bodies .!

Registered on December 24, 2011, 17 Posts, 59 Comments

Comment posted by Peter Richter on February 26, 2012 at 11:29 AM

Lon, your composition and crop in the first version works very well for, leaving a bit more space at the bottom with even some leading lines there. Wonderful presentation of the atmosphere to me with delightful textures.

The highlight in the upper left corner yet draws my attention and leads me out of the frame. In my opinion you handled this aspect very well in the second version (on 35mm). I think my overall favorite of this series remains the uncropped 4x5 version in your last post.

Peter

Registered on November 10, 2010, 218 Posts, 2723 Comments

Comment posted by Dietrich Gloger on February 26, 2012 at 12:21 PM

Interesting comparison Lon! I think I prefer the 4x5 because the aspect ratio works better for me. I am getting used to that format ya know...

I really like this, the composition although cropped from a much wider view works very well. Good job at spotting this interesting composition from the larger vista! Although old, it does not look much different from what you make these days, and that's a good thing!

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

Comment posted by dean hebert on February 26, 2012 at 8:37 PM

I like the light in the first better. This is a beautiful comp, well seen.

Registered on August 4, 2010, 70 Posts, 1132 Comments

Comment posted by Andreas Resch on February 27, 2012 at 7:11 AM

Very nice, Lon. I prefer the original post because of the higher dynamic range and vivid look. All the best for your knee recovery - I hope you'll be jumping around again soon.

Registered on November 14, 2007, 322 Posts, 6101 Comments

Comment posted by Hamed Musharbak on February 27, 2012 at 8:02 AM

Registered on June 1, 2009, 372 Posts, 2282 Comments

Comment posted by Kah Kit Yoong on February 27, 2012 at 1:59 PM

I wish you a speedy recovery. I prefer the LF version. I like the simplicity of this and the yummy colours, perhaps stronger than the uncropped image.

Registered on September 27, 2006, 636 Posts, 10682 Comments

Comment posted by Harley Goldman on February 27, 2012 at 6:18 PM

The top one has more pop and gets my vote. Very nicely done, Lon. I like it.

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

Comment posted by Mark Seaver on February 27, 2012 at 6:22 PM

Lovely minimalist scene (or maybe that's seen). I like the color and brightness in the first post, but enjoy the details in the ice that are in the second one. Best wishes for a full and speedy recovery.

Registered on January 23, 2011, 1103 Posts, 17270 Comments

Comment posted by Stuart Williams on February 28, 2012 at 1:00 AM

yes, major crop ... but wonderfully picked out. given that you demand a preference, it'd be for the crop (i.e., not the 35mm). love it.

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

Comment posted by Morris McClung on February 28, 2012 at 11:56 AM

I prefer the first one. Lovely color and light, and your use of the lines works so well.

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

Comment posted by Jimmy Gekas on February 28, 2012 at 6:31 PM

Love the first one! Great colors and excellent graphics. ACL? Yikes. Been there, done that...twice. Get better!

Registered on July 26, 2007, 244 Posts, 2807 Comments

Comment posted by Justin Reznick on March 1, 2012 at 11:06 AM

Wonderful separation and a strong foreground subject, beautiful image Lon!

Registered on November 24, 2009, 79 Posts, 515 Comments