As some of you probably know, Minnesota winters have a really bad habit of being heavily overcast and gray. This particular day was no exception. Still, I had hopes for sunset so I set up my camera and waited. The light was horrifically flat, the sky a steely blue-gray that didn't exactly inspire. However, about an hour before sunset there was a momentary break in the clouds. The sun made itself known, contrasting against the austere bleakness and giving the foreground ice in my composition some much needed dimensionality. In went a sheet of the appropriate film (low contrast to deal with extreme highlight of the sun), and the shutter was fired off. All in all, the moment lasted about 5 minuets. Thankfully I was there to capture it since the sunset I had hoped for never came, this brief moment giving way once again to the blue-gray darkness.
Posted by Robert Helms on February 12, 2007 at 7:32 PM
Strong foreground, Joel. I think the norm for most of us this time of year are gray sunsets. Very depressing at times, but your persistence really paid off here. This is a wonderful winter time image.
Thanks for sharing
Posted by Josh Anderson on February 12, 2007 at 10:32 PM
Yeah, this is nice. Very nice fg and beautiful light.
Posted by Jack Graham on February 12, 2007 at 10:47 PM
Ditto to all.... Nice...................................... JG
Posted by Chuck Beatty on February 13, 2007 at 7:31 AM
Love the light reflecting off of the foreground ice. Beautiful, subtle palette -- sometimes less is more.
Posted by Toni Lankerd on February 13, 2007 at 9:14 AM
Our winters are the same, Joel...gray skies and a lack of sunsets. But as this image depicts, a lot of times there is that little band of light on the horizon. I like this as it shows that even gloomy winter days can bring beauty. I like the comp with the ice floes leading us into the image right to that sliver of light on the horizon. Nice work!
Discussion
9 repliesAs some of you probably know, Minnesota winters have a really bad habit of being heavily overcast and gray. This particular day was no exception. Still, I had hopes for sunset so I set up my camera and waited. The light was horrifically flat, the sky a steely blue-gray that didn't exactly inspire. However, about an hour before sunset there was a momentary break in the clouds. The sun made itself known, contrasting against the austere bleakness and giving the foreground ice in my composition some much needed dimensionality. In went a sheet of the appropriate film (low contrast to deal with extreme highlight of the sun), and the shutter was fired off. All in all, the moment lasted about 5 minuets. Thankfully I was there to capture it since the sunset I had hoped for never came, this brief moment giving way once again to the blue-gray darkness.
Equipment:
Tachihara 4x5, Fujinon 90mm, Fuji 160s, 2 stop GND
Thanks for sharing