Sculpted in Snow

Gallery: LandscapePosted January 31, 20172,497 views9 comments

The snow had completely wrapped these trees in snow, making them look almost smooth in some places. This was back during a cold spell, and after freezing fog that covered even the moss on the trees in thick ice and snow.

I lightened this quite a bit, and I was surprised that actually was some detail in the snow, since it was a completely overcast and foggy day.
I am not sure if the comp works. I was trying to find a scene that worked and trying hard not to make tracks in a place where I might then want to take a photo! Also, does it need to be brighter?

Comments and suggestions welcomed.
See the large image.

5Dmkii, 24-105L at 32 mm, 1/50 sec, f13, ISO 800, handheld

Comments

9 comments

Comment posted by Mark Seaver on February 1, 2017 at 4:20 PM

Genny, the larger view is notably brighter, and may be about right, although I'd adjust it a bit more and see what I thought. I like the tiny tree and the clump of grass in the lrc, the tall tree that you've emphasized well on the right and the gap in the trees near the right edge. I find views like this, where there's a limited sense of depth, very hard to pull off. While this view is good and shows the conditions well, I don't find it "compelling". I'm wondering how a vertical using the small tree and grass near the lrc, the tall tree to their left and the opening back to the misty trees in the distance would look.

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

Comment posted by Richard Teller on February 1, 2017 at 6:28 PM

The processing looks good and there is nice detail in the snow. My eye seems to be searching back and forth for a center of interest to stop at.

Registered on August 23, 2010, 1162 Posts, 6692 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Schrayer on February 1, 2017 at 10:00 PM

Beautiful winter image. I like the contours in the snow and the trees have a lot of character.

Registered on May 28, 2004, 114 Posts, 2890 Comments

Comment posted by Genny K. on February 1, 2017 at 11:12 PM

Thanks for the input. I was definitely wondering if this had enough of a focal point.

Registered on June 5, 2006, 132 Posts, 2001 Comments

Comment posted by gary phillips on February 2, 2017 at 12:47 AM

I absolutely love the texture of the trees, Genny. For me, it's always hard to pull off an image with a white featureless sky, unless it acts as a background for something really good. I think I would crop this almost square with just the three tallest trees. taking a little off the left and just inside the short little tree on the right. For me, the texture of the trees is what the image is really about, and I would do everything to bring that out.

Registered on October 24, 2013, 185 Posts, 4136 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on February 2, 2017 at 4:57 PM

Genny, I'm quite enjoying this as it is. This type of winter scene appeals to me and I'm especially enjoying the textures in the trees you caught here. The larger version works very nice but I do see the crop that Gary mentioned working well too. It looks bright enough to me in the large version. Very nice.

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI.

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

Comment posted by Harley Goldman on February 3, 2017 at 10:45 AM

Nice peaceful snow scene. Excellent mood. It definitely needs to be viewed large. Nice work.

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

Comment posted by Lon Overacker on February 3, 2017 at 1:10 PM

Genny,

I like this very much as presented; especially of course the large view. I think the arrangement of the trees and the overall balance of the composition works nicely. Some times, the focal point IS the image; in this case, the winter forest. The ice/snow on the trees is obvious, but this isn't an intimate portrait of that, it's the bigger picture. If anything, I actually think the fallen diagonal bare tree is an element that at least gets some attention, keeping the eye from continuing to wonder. I like this.

Lon

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

Comment posted by Patricia Brundage on February 4, 2017 at 8:59 AM

I like the variety of shapes, the tonal range and, of course, the subject. Did a nice job keeping the detail in the snow.

Registered on March 23, 2006, 1111 Posts, 6531 Comments