Posted by Derek Sedillo on December 6, 2007 at 1:00 AM
I have been reviewing some shots from last winter and am starting to psych myself up for winter polar hikes. I had a question for the group regarding Dream Lake. Does anyone know how early this phenomenon usually occurs? This was shot was taken in early March. But I am wondering if it might happen sooner or maybe not at all some years?
Derek, I've seen at least some sections of that wavy ice each of the many times I've been up there in the winter, but it definitely varies from year to year as far as how much. Al those trips have been between mid January and early March!
You're getting my excited for some ice!!
Posted by Les Barstow on December 6, 2007 at 2:18 AM
Speaking of Dream Lake, ice, and timing - when do y'all go up there for your nice blue ice abstracts?
Posted by John Klotz on December 6, 2007 at 2:52 AM
Hmmm.... I feel a snowshoe trek comin' in the near future!
Posted by Mel Ladewig on December 6, 2007 at 9:11 AM
I've seen the wavy ice in March as well, but haven't been up at other times.
Posted by Derek Sedillo on December 6, 2007 at 1:46 PM
Hey,
Maybe Christmas will come early this year.
Last winter was surreal being able to see this sort of thing. I was hoping to try some different compositions this year. The sun also illuminates the peak differently depending on time of the year. Heck, it might even work at night with a full moon or predawn with the stars... The wheels are starting to turn.
Reply posted by Les Barstow
Speaking of Dream Lake, ice, and timing - when do y'all go up there for your nice blue ice abstracts?
I'm not telling!
Just kidding! Like I mentioned above, I've always gone up there between mid January to early March, most of the times in mid February. We'd have to ask someone like Erik who lives up there whether all that kind of ice forms earlier than that, but I really don't think it would be much earlier.
As far as specific timing for the good blues, I head up to shoot sunrise as a bonus, and shoot the ice abstracts right after. The cool ice parts of Dream Lake stay in the shadows until about 10am through the end of February. The best type of day of course is super clear blue skies for the reflected blue in the shadows. Once the sun hits the ice, the colors of course will be their natural grays & whites, but harsh reflections can make it tough to shoot.
If anyone wants company on a trip up there, let me know! I'm ready!
Yep, looks like we might have to go up again same time as last year! I think Twin Lakes near Beuna is on my list too. I have some spots there I would like to do, and not get stuck again! Remember to bring something to keep the camera warm!Pocket warmers in the camera bag worked for me last time!
Posted by Derek Sedillo on December 6, 2007 at 3:03 PM
James,
I wasn't planning on shooting in 0 degree weather last winter when we went to Twin Lakes. But you never know what it will be like in the Mtns. in the winter. I guess it is better to be prepared just in case. It only took about 15 minutes of my camera sitting on the tripod for it to completely freeze up.
But like they say - no pain no gain!!!
That day made our winter hike up to Dream Lake in the dark seem like summer time.
Easy solution from freezing camera gear. Just start shooting manual LF lenses
RichieV
Posted by Derek Sedillo on December 6, 2007 at 3:13 PM
Rich,
I was waiting a LF shooter to chime in.
But really has anyone tested their LF gear in 0 degrees or below to see how it behaves? I would think something going to start acting a little different. But maybe not. Just using your hands for any length of time for adjustments must be near impossible. But i'm sure someone here has at least tried it before numb fingers and all.
I have used my lenses in sub zero weather before (just check my tree shot on the monthly theme) . As long as your lenses are properly lubricated they will operate fine. I would also be interested in hearing if anybody else has had the same experience. The manual shutters are like a piece of fine jewelery and really work well. (Disclaimer : the camera works alot better than I do in sub zero weather)
At any rate - no battery issues - hehehe.
RichieV
Posted by Derek Sedillo on December 6, 2007 at 4:06 PM
LOL ... Yeah, if only my fingers behaved that good in sub zero conditions.
Posted by Guy Schmickle on December 7, 2007 at 12:56 AM
Love that ice ripple phenomenon at Dream Lake. That is very cool. Wish it weren't so far or I'd consider it. Then again, maybe its a good reason for a road trip!
Derek, I'm surprised you had those problems at 0 degrees. I've often shot in subzero temps in the great white north and have never encountered that. I've only had to take care in keeping batteries warm and swapping them out frequently. My cameras have definitely outperformed my fingers in most occasions!!
Posted by Derek Sedillo on December 7, 2007 at 1:40 AM
Guy,
I admit it. I shoot with an ancient 10D right now. So maybe it is just too old to do subzero. Basically all the manual controls literally freeze up. If I just shoot in auto I guess it would be ok. But I just can't get myself to do that.LOL...
I have already got a 5D or 5DII reserve going. So hopefully the 5DII will be released earlier rather than later next year so I can decide which to get.
Anyway I checked out your website and noticed you are also a software engineer. What is it with engineers and photography anyway? And how does a SW engineer end up working in Bayfield? When I first moved to Colorado it was thru Northrop Grumman who I also worked for as a SW engineer at the time. But I didn't see many openings in Bayfield.
On the other hand a Northrop buddy of mine just accepted a position with a MN co which allows him to telecommute. But he chose to move to MN anyway since he has family there.
Anyway glad you could join us. You sure picked a great part of the state as a home base.
Posted by Mel Ladewig on December 7, 2007 at 12:41 PM
Easy solution from freezing camera gear. Just start shooting manual LF lenses
Unless you're shooting my ~40 year old Compurs. The old lubricant in one of them was getting a bit stiff when I took it out at 6F. Click-rrrr-rrrr-rrrr-Click. Hopefully it will do better after it comes home from the cleaners. But yeah, no batteries = good.
As a point of reference, my XT was doing fine in the cold. No electrical problems, but I did have to switch batteries.
Mel-
Posted by Guy Schmickle on December 8, 2007 at 5:50 PM
Uggh! I'm finally back online again! Gotta love living in the sticks where satellite internet is the only means of high speed connectivity. Every storm we get knocks me off line for a while!
Enough of my rant...Derek, its pretty common for engineers to gravitate towards digital photography as they are less intimidated with the computer side of things and they love messing around with the latest technology. And yeah, I WAS a software engineer who burnt out on the career and came to Bayfield seeking a simpler life. Both my fiancee and I gave up our careers and are just doing whatever it takes to make ends meet in a much simpler lifestyle. Thanks for the welcome!
Discussion
16 repliesThanks,
- Derek
You're getting my excited for some ice!!
Maybe Christmas will come early this year.
Last winter was surreal being able to see this sort of thing. I was hoping to try some different compositions this year. The sun also illuminates the peak differently depending on time of the year. Heck, it might even work at night with a full moon or predawn with the stars... The wheels are starting to turn.
I'm not telling!
Just kidding! Like I mentioned above, I've always gone up there between mid January to early March, most of the times in mid February. We'd have to ask someone like Erik who lives up there whether all that kind of ice forms earlier than that, but I really don't think it would be much earlier.
As far as specific timing for the good blues, I head up to shoot sunrise as a bonus, and shoot the ice abstracts right after. The cool ice parts of Dream Lake stay in the shadows until about 10am through the end of February. The best type of day of course is super clear blue skies for the reflected blue in the shadows. Once the sun hits the ice, the colors of course will be their natural grays & whites, but harsh reflections can make it tough to shoot.
If anyone wants company on a trip up there, let me know! I'm ready!
I wasn't planning on shooting in 0 degree weather last winter when we went to Twin Lakes. But you never know what it will be like in the Mtns. in the winter. I guess it is better to be prepared just in case. It only took about 15 minutes of my camera sitting on the tripod for it to completely freeze up.
But like they say - no pain no gain!!!
That day made our winter hike up to Dream Lake in the dark seem like summer time.
Easy solution from freezing camera gear. Just start shooting manual LF lenses
RichieV
I was waiting a LF shooter to chime in.
But really has anyone tested their LF gear in 0 degrees or below to see how it behaves? I would think something going to start acting a little different. But maybe not. Just using your hands for any length of time for adjustments must be near impossible. But i'm sure someone here has at least tried it before numb fingers and all.
At any rate - no battery issues - hehehe.
RichieV
Derek, I'm surprised you had those problems at 0 degrees. I've often shot in subzero temps in the great white north and have never encountered that. I've only had to take care in keeping batteries warm and swapping them out frequently. My cameras have definitely outperformed my fingers in most occasions!!
I admit it. I shoot with an ancient 10D right now. So maybe it is just too old to do subzero. Basically all the manual controls literally freeze up. If I just shoot in auto I guess it would be ok. But I just can't get myself to do that.LOL...
I have already got a 5D or 5DII reserve going. So hopefully the 5DII will be released earlier rather than later next year so I can decide which to get.
Anyway I checked out your website and noticed you are also a software engineer. What is it with engineers and photography anyway?
On the other hand a Northrop buddy of mine just accepted a position with a MN co which allows him to telecommute. But he chose to move to MN anyway since he has family there.
Anyway glad you could join us. You sure picked a great part of the state as a home base.
Unless you're shooting my ~40 year old Compurs. The old lubricant in one of them was getting a bit stiff when I took it out at 6F. Click-rrrr-rrrr-rrrr-Click. Hopefully it will do better after it comes home from the cleaners. But yeah, no batteries = good.
As a point of reference, my XT was doing fine in the cold. No electrical problems, but I did have to switch batteries.
Mel-
Enough of my rant...Derek, its pretty common for engineers to gravitate towards digital photography as they are less intimidated with the computer side of things and they love messing around with the latest technology. And yeah, I WAS a software engineer who burnt out on the career and came to Bayfield seeking a simpler life. Both my fiancee and I gave up our careers and are just doing whatever it takes to make ends meet in a much simpler lifestyle. Thanks for the welcome!