Autumn Ice

Gallery: LandscapePosted August 1, 2012435 views17 comments

Thank you for all the great comments on the last image. Have made changes to the final file based on your feedback so I really appreciate it.

Probably a little odd posting an autumn image in the middle of summer, but wanted to get your thoughts on this. Made this image a number of years ago one autumn day along the Little Susitna River near Hatcher Pass in Alaska. Was drawn to the parallel curves of the boulders, stream, and ice of this little creek tumbling into the river. Would appreciate your comments and suggestions.
4x5, 120mm, warm polarizer, Velvia. M1 scan, Tony Kuyper's masks and other techniques.

Large version attached.

Thanks.

Comments

17 comments

Comment posted by Andrew Morrill on August 1, 2012 at 10:41 PM

Really nice shot, Vance - the shape the ice forms is really unique. And overall some great colors and shapes. As a suggestion perhaps the "just above shadows" could be raised while the deep shadows could be made completely black (they feel a little grey) -- but of course in a print they would appear black so take that with a grain of salt.

Registered on June 10, 2010, 51 Posts, 216 Comments

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on August 1, 2012 at 11:24 PM

What an amazing comp, Vance. Even the thumbnail is enticing. Lots going on but in a segmented way where everything separates and works together well. Agree with AM that some of the darker tones feel a bit grayish. This is most prominent in the LRC. ULC looks perfect.

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

Comment posted by Nancy Lea Sandy on August 1, 2012 at 11:38 PM

Had to catch my breath when I opened this one. Not at all what I expected from the thumbnail. Stunning in every way.

Registered on January 24, 2011, 576 Posts, 6942 Comments

Comment posted by Zack Clothier on August 2, 2012 at 1:16 AM

Very unique and intimate shot, Vance, nice eye seeing this!

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

Comment posted by Stuart Williams on August 2, 2012 at 4:31 AM

vance - great composition and good eye to see those fascinating ice forms and making a compelling image with them. to my eye/monitor, the colour seems a little off and the blacks also a little off??? tinges of purple/mauve in the water?

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

Comment posted by David Edwards on August 2, 2012 at 5:35 AM

I like the way the water cuts a diagonal through the image. There are lots of objects in the comp, which makes it interesting but perhaps feels a little cluttered. I can't help but wish the branch in the water wasn't there, but it looks like the icicles have attached themselves to it! Even so, there's a nice balance to everything going on that holds it all together very nicely.

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

Comment posted by Rick Turner on August 2, 2012 at 9:31 AM

Vance,
Great combination of elements. Ice and water with great comp

Registered on February 18, 2012, 534 Posts, 2755 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on August 2, 2012 at 10:09 AM

Vance, Beautiful composition! I really like the water flowing diagonally through the frame and the longer exposure gave it a very nice look and feel. The ice with the grass adds some wonderful interest to the scene as well. I like the colors very much but do agree the darks look just a touch gray. Great looking shot!

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

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

Comment posted by Pramod Viswanath on August 2, 2012 at 10:22 AM

Oh I am just crying here. One of the best intimates that I have seen in sometime now! Total admiration to your work Vance!

Registered on December 4, 2008, 60 Posts, 697 Comments

Comment posted by Bruce King on August 2, 2012 at 12:28 PM

really cool comp Vance and nice image overall. One slight distraction I think is the white parts of the rock a right center edge. I might have tossed that rock out of the scene....if you're into that sort of thing....some folks aren't. Nice shot though.

Registered on January 14, 2010, 276 Posts, 2212 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Seaver on August 2, 2012 at 12:59 PM

Lovely intimate scene with lots of interesting elements and great balance. Nicely seen!

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

Comment posted by Lon Overacker on August 2, 2012 at 2:47 PM

Vance,

That s-curve wall of ice-laiden grasses is just wonderful - makes the scene and for a great composition. No nits really, although to me the deepest shadows in the lower part of the frame, left and right, seem a little "open" or slightly muddy if that makes sense. Very minor though and almost not worth mentioning.

Lovely, intimate scene.

Lon

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

Comment posted by Jaymes Dempsey on August 2, 2012 at 7:46 PM

I like this flowing composition a lot. I like the contrast of the grass and ice, too. Nicely done.
Jaymes

Registered on June 28, 2010, 47 Posts, 590 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Metternich on August 3, 2012 at 12:27 AM

Very interesting!

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

Comment posted by John Williams on August 3, 2012 at 12:37 AM

Don't bring the cold on just yet!

Love the lines and contrasts of the elements. The ice adds a lot.

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

Comment posted by Jimmy Gekas on August 4, 2012 at 11:38 PM

Whoa...lots of tasty elements and details here to stare at. Sweet colors and crazy cool comp.

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

Comment posted by Anil Rao on August 7, 2012 at 12:49 AM

This is a really strong image and one that I'd love to study over an extended period of time. Awesome job, Vance.

Registered on November 15, 2003, 234 Posts, 4923 Comments