Posted by Kane Engelbert on January 26, 2011 at 12:18 AM
This was my 2nd shoot with my new Canon gear (former Nikon junkie), and I feel a lot better than my first outing, which included a nasty fight with a weird/powerful magenta cast throughout my winter images. Superior post processing white balance control fixed this problem. In addition, I had trouble accepting the low light noise. That shadow banding just kills me. I was used to shooting ISO 400 with my old Nikon D700, thus shooting ISO 200 with the Canon didn't make me very happy. Still too much noise for my liking. Today I dropped it down to ISO 100 and found my happy place going forward. I'll shoot at ISO 100 to gain the Canon 21 megapixel resolution any day.
I love Dream Lake. I also realize that not everyone has to look at another Dream Lake photo. Unfortunately for the haters, Dream Lake has incredible composition, especially in winter, thus we will keep going back for more.
All three images were shot at 21mm with my Ziess Distagon. The reviews speak to a sharp and contrasty lens. The reviews are correct, especially in the "contrasty" category. Watch out for CA's in the extreme coners. One of the reasons I moved to Canon was to take advantage of what I perceived to be a more saturated or "Wow" color factor. My morning at Dream Lake assured me I was on track with that assumption.
Here's my first Canon post. Remember I'm excited about color; so did I over-do the Saturation in these images?
BTW, yes these shots were taken smack dab in the center of the lake on Ice. Just didn't feel too comfortable out there. It was brutally cold and windy.
Posted by Jared Atencio on January 26, 2011 at 12:48 AM
Sure are "Dreamy" conditions you captured here at the lake Kane! The saturation doesn't bother me, but the contrast is a touch on the heavy side on the first two for my own personal tastes. The third one is my favorite of the bunch and one of my new favorites from this oft. photographed destination. I'm a sucker for vert comps and this has so much depth and I love the contrast between the warm and cool tones. When were these shot if you don't mind me asking?
Posted by Scott Fricke on January 26, 2011 at 12:54 AM
I like the vertical compositions better, the first being my favorite. I don't think you over-saturated at all, I would say the trees look a little blocked up though. Are you shooting with the 5DII or the 1DIII?. Definitely well worth braving the cold and wind!
Posted by Stan Rose on January 26, 2011 at 12:57 AM
Dream is always friggin cold and windy in Winter, thats why i love it so much
Looks pretty good, Kane, some real clean ice there right now, and it looks like it will stay that way for a while since the East coast is getting a real Winter and we're not. I dont think that the sat is too much, although its definitely saturated, but i do think the snow/fg/ice cracks seem bit bright for the pre sunrise. I also wonder a bit about the violet hue in the ice (maybe more blue??) but not sure since i havent been there at sunrise when the lake is so snow free! Overall, a real pretty series.
Posted by Bill Pelzmann on January 26, 2011 at 1:01 AM
I'm certain that I will never tire of well done Dream Lake shots, so keep them coming. I think your saturations are just fine.
When were these shot? I didn't expect to see clear ice, considering how much snow the mountains have been getting.
Kane your killing me man... these shots are insane. I agree with Jared on the contrast, past that it all looks great. I have wanted one of these in my collection for so long.. I am headed to Dream this weekend!
Posted by Don Grall on January 26, 2011 at 1:21 AM
Wow, that 1st one is dynamic to the extreme! Even though #3 is similar, I like the angle and color balance in #1 better. The horizontal version, although very worthy, loses that awesome angle that grabs the viewer and pulls him/her in.
Posted by Todd Caudle on January 26, 2011 at 1:26 AM
Wow, check out that polished ice! Were you out there with some portable buffer or what? Those are awesome shots, Kane. Sat looks fine to me. Sorry to hear about CA with the Zeiss. I thought that might be one avoidable thing in such a primo lens, even at 21mm. Can't tell it here, though.
These are some really striking images. I particularly like your perspective of being out on the ice. It gives added emphasis to the polished surface. I think the color and saturation is great. Wonderful images to have in your collection.
Posted by Jim Casteel on January 26, 2011 at 11:05 AM
You make me wonder why I still shoot Nikon sometimes. These are great images, I don't think there is anything wrong with the saturation either.
Posted by Morris McClung on January 26, 2011 at 11:45 AM
Saturation looks good to me, too. I see the other's point about contrast, but it gives this a similar look to Velvia which I still love. Although you have plenty of detail in the shadows and Velvia would have blocked those. How can anyone get tired of Dream Lake shots. One of the better views in winter in Colorado. Gorgeous work.
Posted by Mel Ladewig on January 26, 2011 at 12:11 PM
That polished ice is sweet. It looks like someone drove a Zamboni over it for you.
I like the verticals, but I think the horizontal version has some nice vector lines keeping the eye moving through the image. #2 gets my vote.
Posted by Jack Brauer on January 26, 2011 at 1:44 PM
Great shots Kane! The second two are my faves... fantastic!
Posted by Bill Brennan on January 26, 2011 at 3:42 PM
Enjoyed seeing the series. Like #3 best; although all are very good. Wondering if a crop of some of the foreground would strengthen the images.
The west side of the lake has been blown clean for around 3 weeks, maybe more. The east side of the lake is not the pretty polished ice that makes the scene pop, it's a more solid looking white ice. In my vertical images you will see the white ice on the far left. This is where the white met up with the polished ice, thus I set up for my shoot here on the last few feet of white ice.
I think there's even better composition to be had for those willing to hike out onto that polished ice. That stuff scares me; when inspecting it, its black underneath which makes me believe its not solid. I'm certainly no ice expert I just didn't feel comfortable with my life and my gear taking a chance like that. I will say it wouldn't surprise me if I was just being a weenie and that polished stuff is plenty thick.
Posted by John Mumaw on January 26, 2011 at 8:19 PM
You...a weenie ?!? I think not remembering some of the places you go to get good, unique images!
My favorites are the vertical compositions, and of those #1 is the winner. I like the bluer ice and the kiss of light on the back side of the peaks. The 'contrasty' comments may come from the fact that the trees are awfully dark. The rest of the image looks pretty swell to me.
Oh yeah...not too saturated whatsoever!
Posted by Doug Koepsel on January 26, 2011 at 8:38 PM
My preference is the vertical Dream Lake with Winter, as the snow and ice seem to be reflecting the magenta sky that is gone in the other vertical Dreamy Sunrise. Perhaps Dreamy Sunrise is a tiny bit too blue as seen in the snow, but i like the deeper blue in the ice. Also, there is more detail shown in the trees than in Dreamy Sunrise.
Posted by Chris Martin on January 26, 2011 at 9:00 PM
Definitely a great series. I love that glossy ice surface, I've never seen reflections on ice quite like that! I'm a fan of all three but I do like the vertical comps a bit better. Nice work!
Posted by Paul Wegemann on January 26, 2011 at 10:57 PM
Nice stuff, Kane. Personally, I really like the contrasty, saturated feel of these. I'm not sure I have a favorite. BTW, I've spent a lot of time on that ice this time of year. If you look closely, I think you'll see it's pretty thick and you'll be fine crawling around on it. For a crazy mountain man like you, it should be easy. BTW, this is a great time for those done to death ice abstracts.
Nice shots Kane. The first is my favorite of the 3. I'm a sucker for alpenglow and I like the comp a lot. I'm going to have to haul my butt up there myself sometime soon.
Posted by Rick Dunn on January 27, 2011 at 9:04 PM
Fantastic work. The first one is a stunner for sure! Not sure how the quality is attributable to camera brand though. When dealing with film, perhaps. But with digital, the saturation and contrast of a lens/camera are almost irrelevant given the corrections and enhancements that are made in post-processing. Sharpness, however, is another matter.
Posted by Phillip Noll on January 27, 2011 at 11:01 PM
Beautiful shots, Kane! Love that first one. I think the color/contrast is fine. It may be an optical illusion but they all look like they could use a slight CCW rotation to me. But then I'm about half a bubble off of plumb!
Discussion
22 repliesI love Dream Lake. I also realize that not everyone has to look at another Dream Lake photo. Unfortunately for the haters, Dream Lake has incredible composition, especially in winter, thus we will keep going back for more.
All three images were shot at 21mm with my Ziess Distagon. The reviews speak to a sharp and contrasty lens. The reviews are correct, especially in the "contrasty" category. Watch out for CA's in the extreme coners. One of the reasons I moved to Canon was to take advantage of what I perceived to be a more saturated or "Wow" color factor. My morning at Dream Lake assured me I was on track with that assumption.
Here's my first Canon post. Remember I'm excited about color; so did I over-do the Saturation in these images?
BTW, yes these shots were taken smack dab in the center of the lake on Ice. Just didn't feel too comfortable out there. It was brutally cold and windy.
http://www.kaephotography.com/photo/dreamy-sunrise/
http://www.kaephotography.com/photo/a-shivering--cold-dream/
http://www.kaephotography.com/photo/dream-lake-with-winter/
Kane
Looks pretty good, Kane, some real clean ice there right now, and it looks like it will stay that way for a while since the East coast is getting a real Winter and we're not. I dont think that the sat is too much, although its definitely saturated, but i do think the snow/fg/ice cracks seem bit bright for the pre sunrise. I also wonder a bit about the violet hue in the ice (maybe more blue??) but not sure since i havent been there at sunrise when the lake is so snow free! Overall, a real pretty series.
When were these shot? I didn't expect to see clear ice, considering how much snow the mountains have been getting.
I like the verticals, but I think the horizontal version has some nice vector lines keeping the eye moving through the image. #2 gets my vote.
Bill Brennan
The west side of the lake has been blown clean for around 3 weeks, maybe more. The east side of the lake is not the pretty polished ice that makes the scene pop, it's a more solid looking white ice. In my vertical images you will see the white ice on the far left. This is where the white met up with the polished ice, thus I set up for my shoot here on the last few feet of white ice.
I think there's even better composition to be had for those willing to hike out onto that polished ice. That stuff scares me; when inspecting it, its black underneath which makes me believe its not solid. I'm certainly no ice expert I just didn't feel comfortable with my life and my gear taking a chance like that. I will say it wouldn't surprise me if I was just being a weenie and that polished stuff is plenty thick.
My favorites are the vertical compositions, and of those #1 is the winner. I like the bluer ice and the kiss of light on the back side of the peaks. The 'contrasty' comments may come from the fact that the trees are awfully dark. The rest of the image looks pretty swell to me.
Oh yeah...not too saturated whatsoever!