The North Woods

Gallery: LandscapePosted February 10, 2013370 views30 comments

This is another image from my recent trip in Upper MI and the Keweenaw Peninsula. Maybe nothing real eye catching here but I enjoyed this quiet winter scene. Tom H and I were walking around in the woods near Bonanza Falls and had an enjoyable time. The woods here were wonderfully quiet with the light snow coming down. Later it was snowing so hard you could hardly see. We had very wet camera gear by the time we left and went to dry out. Thanks for looking and for all of your comments on my last post.
5D3, 70-300L @200, iso 100, f/20 and 1/2 sec.

Comments

30 comments

Comment posted by John Clulow on February 10, 2013 at 6:40 PM

I like the inferred transition between color and B&W in your composition, and that one horizontal branch with snow on it really makes it for me.

Also, I spent my first year in college at Mich Tech in Houghton, so this brings back some memories for me; some more pleasant than others

Registered on November 1, 2012, 155 Posts, 1079 Comments

Comment posted by Vlad Sadovsky on February 10, 2013 at 6:43 PM

Wonderful feel, the aspen's bark vs snow covered branches of the forest. No nits, just a nice wintery scene.

Registered on November 12, 2010, 48 Posts, 358 Comments

Comment posted by Morris McClung on February 10, 2013 at 6:44 PM

The large version is really excellent, Nick. I like the brightness of the birches better, and they stand out as the main subject like that. Beautiful winter/forest scene!

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

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on February 10, 2013 at 6:45 PM

Thanks John! Glad some of those memories were pleasant...

I go through Houghton now and then.
Thank you Morris and Vlad! Yes, the larger version works better for me too. Nick

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

Comment posted by William Gillis on February 10, 2013 at 7:25 PM

Very nice image Nick. It conveys the quiet in the woods.Those times in the woods with only the sound of falling snow are very special moments. This image conveys that to me. Well done.

William Gillis

Registered on November 28, 2011, 17 Posts, 204 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Palmieri on February 10, 2013 at 8:43 PM

Another vote for the larger one...These are very intriguing images Nick. I just love looking into the image and getting lost. Very nice job!

Registered on September 1, 2011, 35 Posts, 748 Comments

Comment posted by Chet Dowell on February 10, 2013 at 9:03 PM

This is a very appealing winter woods- scape., Nick . You have designed this image very well using the white trees as a strong organizing element. Also the horizontal limb adds a good energy. Love the color in the foreground. Great job.!!!!! Chet

Registered on December 3, 2012, 237 Posts, 1171 Comments

Comment posted by Floris van Breugel on February 10, 2013 at 9:05 PM

Very nice, Nick. This is an exquisite collection of textures and subtle color transitions. Since the primary textures are orientated vertically, the horizontal birch branch is throwing me off. I would crop a little off the top, which I think will leave you with a nice 4x5 aspect ratio.

Registered on December 19, 2008, 306 Posts, 4840 Comments

Comment posted by Philip Hodgkins on February 10, 2013 at 9:16 PM

As I look at this from the perspective of an old "dirt" forester, I'm thinking, "D**n! Do I hafta go through that?" As a retiree and avid amateur photographer, I am (slightly) envious.

I am enjoying the view you had. But definitely not the cold and wet!

Registered on July 24, 2006, 2741 Posts, 12349 Comments

Comment posted by Michel Lamontagne on February 10, 2013 at 9:44 PM

Well done Nick. I can relate as this looks very similar my neck of the woods here in Northern Ontario. You did a good job capturing of the spirit of those quite woods in winter.

Registered on April 30, 2009, 9 Posts, 53 Comments

Comment posted by Dean Sauskojus on February 10, 2013 at 10:26 PM

Love all the detail Nick and its organized well. The snow adds the wintery feel overall. My eyes set on the birch tree in the background that blends in well with the rest of the image. Nicely done.

Registered on September 29, 2009, 137 Posts, 2659 Comments

Comment posted by Charlie Baugh on February 10, 2013 at 10:45 PM

It is like I could walk right into this scene. Love the way the birch stands out, though it is like it's surroundings.

Registered on April 18, 2011, 329 Posts, 1985 Comments

Comment posted by Stan Rose on February 11, 2013 at 1:01 AM

I think this is awesome, Nick--great balanced chaos!

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

Comment posted by Peter Richter on February 11, 2013 at 7:58 AM

Nick, I really enjoy this wintry scene. There is a most interesting transition between the layers from bottom to top for me. The undergroth adds very nice and subtle colors to the otherwise monochromatic image to my eye.

Peter

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

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on February 11, 2013 at 8:09 AM

Thanks guys for all of your thoughts on this. Very much appreciated! Tom Haxby was already shooting this scene when I walked up on him so I have to give him credit for spotting this one. I know he has very similar shots of this from his D800 which he seemed to be enjoying very much..

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

Comment posted by John&Patty Benway on February 11, 2013 at 8:31 AM

Beautiful Nick, the Birch really stand out nicely, excellent comp and detail, definitely another winner.
John

Registered on May 12, 2006, 626 Posts, 8700 Comments

Comment posted by Eva McDermott on February 11, 2013 at 12:45 PM

Beautiful, controlled chaos. I like this a lot Nick. I agree with Floris on he slight crop from the top.

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

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on February 11, 2013 at 1:11 PM

Thanks John and Eva!
Eva, I was a little undecided about the horz branch at first but there is something I like about it included in the image. I can certainly see this working well without it too. I will still be thinking about it for awhile...especially if I decide to print this.

I very much appreciate the thoughts. Nick

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

Comment posted by Mark Seaver on February 11, 2013 at 1:25 PM

Beautiful winter scene, Nick, that is best appreciated in the larger version. Makes me wish I was there walking around. I like how you've managed to make the Birch trees the main subject is such a busy scene and how the "busy" works well. I think you need to keep that horizontal branch, with out it there's not enough sky to balance the grasses at the bottom.

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

Comment posted by Nancy Lea Sandy on February 11, 2013 at 1:27 PM

Nice composition, In particular I like the horizontal branch that adds contrast to the vertical elements. Great winter scene.

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

Comment posted by Bill Chambers on February 11, 2013 at 3:01 PM

I saw this last night but didn't have time to comment. It blew me away then, and perhaps has grown on me even more since then. This is true winter's art. I showed this to my wife and she thought it was a painting; she said it was too perfect to be a photograph. You've been on a long winning streak and this image certainly continues it.

Registered on April 10, 2005, 753 Posts, 21216 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on February 11, 2013 at 8:02 PM

Thank you Mark, Nancy Lea and Bill. I appreciate you taking the time to comment and I'm glad you enjoyed the image! Tom and I had a great time photographing in these woods. Thanks, Nick

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

Comment posted by Chris Chamberlain on February 11, 2013 at 8:23 PM

Wow, that's a great find! You captured it beautifully as well. I agree about loosing the horizontal branch???

Chris

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

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on February 11, 2013 at 10:35 PM

Busy image, but the snow and the white trunks provide simplification and focus. You always have such wonderful light in your images, even when looking at them on a laptop, like tonight.

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

Comment posted by Jimmy Gekas on February 12, 2013 at 12:57 PM

These types of scenes are awesome. I love the details and the great earth tones throughout. The horiz branch does jump out at me and kinda detracts from the whole flow of the image, so I'd vote for a slight crop from the top as well.

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

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on February 12, 2013 at 1:43 PM

Chris, Tony and Jimmy...Thanks guys! Really appreciate your thoughts on this. Nick

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

Comment posted by Zack Clothier on February 12, 2013 at 8:02 PM

Nice find, Nick! The highlights seem a bit subdued, not sure if that was your intention. Could see brightening them up a bit. Other than that this is wonderful. Definitely has that North Woods feeling to it!

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

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on February 14, 2013 at 1:02 PM

Hi Zack, Thanks much. This is more the look I was after but briging up the highlights more work too. I'll give it a try and see what I think! Thanks, Nick

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

Comment posted by Lon Overacker on February 17, 2013 at 3:49 PM

Nick,

Quite late to the party, but wanted to drop in and say that I'm really enjoying this image. The birch/aspen? and bg forest have a silvery kinda a look to them which gives this a classic winter look. The only suggestion I have would be for some minor cloning/patch work in the LLC; no biggie, but the snow in that corner pulls the eye a little bit.

Lovely winter image.

Lon

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

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on February 18, 2013 at 9:19 AM

Hi Lon, Thanks much! That lower left corner draws my eye some as well. I think your suggestion is a good one and If I decide to do a print with this image I will work on the corner a bit. Thanks! Nick

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