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Moody River Bottoms
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Moody River Bottoms

by Nick Bristol

Gallery: LandscapePosted December 15, 2016255 views17 comments
With snow on the ground and some morning fog I was in the river bottoms that I enjoy so much where I made this picture. With temps that have dropped now in the below zero range and wind chills from -20 to -30 and a new snow storm coming it will be interesting seeing how things will be looking over the next two days. I will be busy taking care of the snow but hope to get out and make a couple of new pictures as well. 
24-105L @ 24mm, ISO 100, F/16 at 1/4 sec. Large version included.

Comments

17 comments
Comment posted by Ed Lowe on December 15, 2016 at 6:47 PM
I love the mood here with the fog, Nick. Even though the image has a cold feel, it is never the less inviting at the same time. I hope that makes sense. The verticals of the tree trunks work rather nicely with the horizontal format and the little bit of leaf litter helps give the snow a little texture. Good luck with the snow, it sounds as though you will be busy.

Ed
Registered on February 7, 2004, 414 Posts, 7115 Comments
Comment posted by Preston Birdwell on December 15, 2016 at 7:43 PM
Your B&W renditions of these snow scenes have been really well done, and this one is no exception. The leaning trees add drama, and the fog adds to the mystery. At first, I thought about a suggestion to clone out some the fallen leaves in the foreground, but I changed my mind because they delineate the surface of the snow. The slightly high key processing really works here. Well done, Nick.
--P
Registered on November 1, 2003, 471 Posts, 5188 Comments
Comment posted by Igor Doncov on December 15, 2016 at 8:11 PM
You've been on an incredible roll recently wth the snow images and this one is another great one. Even though they're all about the same subject, each is uniquely different. The graphic quality in this one is so strong it no longer resembles a photograph but art. The lack of detail in the snow due to the fog makes this an image of lines and dots with the lines losing tone value as they are further away. It's a stylized depiction of winter woods. Excellent work. So happy for you in your recent success. 
Registered on November 22, 2014, 189 Posts, 2733 Comments
Comment posted by D.A. Edwards on December 15, 2016 at 9:04 PM
I concur with those that are mentioning the successful graphic nature of this image due, in my mind, to the high key depiction and the way that the trunks abruptly disappear into the snow. I also like how the bases of the tree trunks form a "V" starting from the skinny one front and center. Very nice work.
Registered on October 8, 2014, 226 Posts, 1187 Comments
Comment posted by scott lanz on December 16, 2016 at 12:04 AM
A very evocative image, Nick. Has kind of a watercolor painterly look, and the unusual fog in snow conditions creat a nice mood. 
Registered on November 14, 2003, 840 Posts, 12902 Comments
Comment posted by Peter Richter on December 16, 2016 at 10:31 AM
An exceptional capture of this wintry scene to me, Nick. I admire the way you kept the subdued colors in the barks that give me just a hint of warmth within the otherwise icy surroundings. The extensive negative space of the white area adds a lot to the feel for me.

Peter
Registered on November 10, 2010, 218 Posts, 2723 Comments
Comment posted by Lon Overacker on December 16, 2016 at 12:50 PM
Nick,

Subtly fantastic.  And put me in the same camp of those who used the word graphic.  At first glance I too noticed right away the lack of detail in the snow and I just now noticed how some of the trees (mostly the ones near the front) almost look like they've been cut-n-pasted in to the snow - I think because of that lack of detail.  But all that is what adds up to Igor's comment, art.

This one keeps me engaged too. I'm either engaged to continue exploring the misty, monochromatic woods,  or I keep looking for something to clone or crop... and I can't find anything. sad

Beautifully seen and captured.  Keep going there...

Lon
Registered on November 24, 2006, 521 Posts, 19147 Comments
Comment posted by Bill Chambers on December 16, 2016 at 4:59 PM
Oh man, you're on one heck of a roll!!!.  Another outstanding image, my friend.  This is breathtaking Nick.  Perfect exposure and wonderful composition.  The distant fog and the leaf litter in the FG are so important to this image, making it so memorable.  Your printing and framing cost for the last month might bankrupt you because every image you've posted has been incredible.
Registered on April 10, 2005, 753 Posts, 21216 Comments
Comment posted by Harley Goldman on December 16, 2016 at 5:02 PM
Excellent winter scene. I love the fog and the mood it evokes. As mentioned, great graphic nature of the trees against the snow. I like this a lot. 
Registered on November 19, 2003, 586 Posts, 11271 Comments
Comment posted by Dave Dillemuth on December 16, 2016 at 7:54 PM
This is lovely, Nick. You are coming up with some stunning winter images from the 'flatlands'. No need for grandiose landscapes. As others have noted the fog adds some great mood and it has a strong graphic appeal. Very fine work. 
Registered on December 10, 2015, 104 Posts, 1112 Comments
Comment posted by Vance Gese on December 16, 2016 at 9:59 PM
Fantastic image, Nick.  Really like your composition, with the single centered tree and the receding trees to either side, back and back into the fog.  Provides a wonderful graphic art feel to your.  To maximize that graphic aspect, you could clone out some of the leaves and stuff on the snow, providing a more pure white canvas from which the trees emerge.  Just a thought.  Exceptional image.
Registered on November 13, 2008, 298 Posts, 6629 Comments
Comment posted by Genny K. on December 17, 2016 at 2:22 AM
I really like this. The depth in this is amazing.  I like the leaves down there, because as you say, they delineate the snow.  This comp is incredible.  I know how hard it is to find the right view of trees so you don't have some odd branch in the way!!
You exposure and processing are perfect.  Wow.
Registered on June 5, 2006, 132 Posts, 2001 Comments
Comment posted by Phil Pogledich on December 17, 2016 at 2:09 PM
Very fine image and the processing is perfect for the scene.  It has a nice subtle power that I see in many of your other images as well.
Registered on August 24, 2009, 123 Posts, 3099 Comments
Comment posted by Nick Bristol on December 17, 2016 at 5:39 PM
Thanks for your comments on this. As always they are so much appreciated. Thank you, Nick
Registered on February 1, 2004, 752 Posts, 14140 Comments
Comment posted by Aaron Feinberg on December 18, 2016 at 12:29 AM
Could even go higher key with it so the ground becomes nonissue...nicely seen here.

aF
Registered on October 26, 2009, 399 Posts, 2789 Comments
Comment posted by Nick Bristol on December 23, 2016 at 6:58 PM
Thanks Aaron! Yes, that might work quite well. Nick
 
Registered on February 1, 2004, 752 Posts, 14140 Comments
Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on January 9, 2017 at 7:27 PM
Very striking image. the various subtle colour differences of the trees fading into the BG, the fog, and the snow all complement each other perfectly.
If it were mine (wish it was!), I'd move the dead-center diagonal tree to one side a bit.
Wonderful image -
Sandy
 
Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments