Reeds and ice Photo

Photographer’s Note

In anticipation of winter, this is a shot of reeds on a frozen mountain lake from my pre-digital days.
Lago Pratignano is a marshy lake at a height of 1300 m in the Apennine mountains in northern Italy.
I had to wait for several hours until the late afternoon when the reeds were side lit and the ice in partial shadow.
Taken on a Nikon F4 with Velvia film and scanned on a Nikon Coolscan 5000 scanner.

jorgi, cray-z, ceky has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

smarcell (14069) 2007-11-29 3:58

This is a very beautiful picture. I like the contrast created by the light. A simple subect which becomes a very good composition.
regards Stefano

humanist (695) 2007-11-29 5:54

I really like the light effects on the reeds as well as the colour contrast between the blue and yellow.

jorgi (3798) 2007-12-17 11:03

Hi John,

well, yes, I'm very impressed with your portfoliol, so here I go again. This image, again, is not appreciated enough. Absolutely great compo, extremelly good lines directions divided by contrast colours. Yes, a simple composition but very striking in its beauty. Excellent work.

Best regards, Jeri.

AKITA (5053) 2008-02-07 13:07

Dear John Freeman,
an impressive contrast between lighted golden reeds and beautiful blue shadow of iced surface. I can feel both cold and quiet air and also shining hot light. colors are calm but vivid. and back black is very effective to impress all these colors to viewer's eyes.
thank you,
Akihisa

rgarrigus (0) 2008-02-26 12:06

Hi John,

How did this one ever slip by me?!?!? You have to know I'd love this. The warm lighting on the reads framed in the blue coolness of the scene is just that type situation I enjoy.

Well seen and worked for. Good example of knowing where to be and what the effect could be.

Cheers!

Bob G.

kiks (5973) 2008-03-04 2:40

Hi John, strange and almost abstract composition you create. I love the beautiful blue at the fg and the contrasting 'gold' with the black bg. Very original.
TFS
KIKs

baba_flies (7933) 2008-05-18 5:22

Hello John! No worries, I am not yet sick of the warmer days :) but as I wandered through your file I remember now that I liked it right away when it was brand new on TE. I find this "ice blue" incredible with the glow on the reeds giving a warm element to this cold winter day. I really find the black background attractive, very artistic for me. You have a lot of patience (I am lacking of this a little sometimes) and it was worth the waiting, no question. Have a nice afternoon, Barbara.

cray-z (48) 2008-12-10 2:37

Hi, John.

Although I just registred I am not new to TE. I've been browsing around and I still think this is one of the best shots published here.

I guess it is just a matter of coincidence but the image was submitted on my birthday.

Regards,

Luka

CLODO (4000) 2008-12-13 9:38

Hey John
this is a fantastic picture thanks to the lights which illuminate the reeds, contrasting with the blue iced lake and black background.
Well done
CLODO

ceky (2302) 2009-05-30 10:47

Hi John
What a nice, graphical, artistic, combination of warm and cold colors... Let's hope that your long waiting to catch this picture was not too painfull !
Congratulations
Georges