GS7: Hidden Wilderness

Gallery: LandscapePosted March 13, 2013203 views10 comments

Gentle Spectacle VII: Hidden Wilderness

The title comes from the fact that I shot this while on the way to photograph a view of the High Peaks Wilderness Area of the Adirondack Forest Preserve, which lies just north of this Lake, even though it was practically invisible at the time.

I thought it was time to add to my "Gentle Spectacles" series of low-contrast, soft-color landscapes that make me feel good, even though they don't have the qualities that reach out and grab viewers like most landscape photographs we see these days. I am often not sure if they are so personal that it's a case of "you had to be there" or if other people appreciate views like this.

Canon 5D2; Canon 24-105mm.
1/500 sec. @ f/8; ISO 640
Hand-held from canoe

NOTE: I also posted a much tighter view from this shoot in the Weekly Challenge Gallery: "Out There". I would really appreciate your opinion of that composition versus this one. THANKS.

Comments

10 comments

Comment posted by Morris McClung on March 13, 2013 at 8:36 PM

I like this one for it's immediate calming effect and the feeling that one is alone when viewing this. The "aloneness" is accentuated by the lone loon(?).

That having been said, the vertical does have more dramatic impact for me because of the close-up view of the fog and trees. Neither is superior for me, but work on different emotional levels. And, they both have a strong effect, Wayne. Excellent work in both.

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

Comment posted by Chris Chamberlain on March 13, 2013 at 8:45 PM

Well this has the qualities that reach out and grab me. It's also a case of" wishing I was there"! Scenes like this, captured like this speak to me more than most. Watching a nuclear sunset go off is always fun, but moments such as this speak to me in much more profound emotional, and spiritual ways.

Chris

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

Comment posted by Rick Turner on March 13, 2013 at 8:59 PM

Moody and peaceful. Well presented

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

Comment posted by Bill Reid on March 13, 2013 at 10:30 PM

I really like both Wayne for their different moods. One is vast and alone and the other is peaceful. Both very nice comps also. Maybe this one if I have to choose. Great work.

Registered on January 27, 2013, 65 Posts, 2460 Comments

Comment posted by Charlie Baugh on March 14, 2013 at 12:53 AM

Subtlety is so sweet here, Wayne. The color in the trees are in the small view but the large view brings then just right.

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

Comment posted by John&Patty Benway on March 14, 2013 at 9:20 AM

Very difficult scene to comment on, it just has such a lonely mood, it's hard for me to get past that. don't get me wrong, beautifully done, definitely has a way of grabbing the viewers emotions, and in my opinion that is what photography is all about. Excellent work Wayne.
John & Patty

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

Comment posted by Paul Breitkreuz on March 14, 2013 at 10:18 AM

" low-contrast, soft-color landscapes "........Are these allowable?...

Of course they are....

What a wonderful scene, Wayne. I like this capture as well as the linked tighter version too. However, if I were to say which has a bigger impact for me I'd say this one for sure. I guess it must be the look of the gentle glide of the duck in such an open space and seemingly having it all to him / her self out there. Very peaceful appearing scene.

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

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on March 14, 2013 at 3:26 PM

Wayne, This is wonderful!! I love the lonely, quiet, peaceful and calming mood of your image. I can just hear the loon now, which just happens to be my favorite sound in the whole world. I'll take these things and this look anytime! Beautiful work!

I'm really looking forward to getting back up to the cabin in the north woods of WI.

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

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

Comment posted by Christine Adams on March 15, 2013 at 8:43 AM

Wayne, these "mood" shots affect me just as much, if not more, than the bold landscapes you spoke of. There is sooo much room for interpretation. I find that I like it a bit more with some more of the sky cropped. But then if you do that, then you'd have to put it in Avian as that would put more emphasis on the loon.

Registered on January 24, 2006, 119 Posts, 1871 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Chambers on March 18, 2013 at 4:09 PM

I love this Wayne. Doesn't reach out of grab?? I don't think so - this not only grabs me, it's shaking me too. This is a superb capture in my book, and I love the semi pano composition.

Your "Out There" image is just as striking IMO - both are fantastic.

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