Powder Sugar on the Matterhorn Photo

Photographer’s Note

Here's another shot of the famed Matterhorn from our trip to Zermatt early this month.

This was taken around 8:30 AM, a few hours after my last post. In the early morning, the sky was completely clear, not a single cloud. But as the sun came up, a cloud started to form. It wasn't really a cloud though - just the result of the strong sun on the snow. Evaporation. And it didn't go away until the sun went down.

When I looked at this shot on my display, I was really smiling! Why? Because it reminded me of my 22nd birthday (a few years ago..) My friend Doris had baked a great cake, covered it completely with powder sugar and put lots of candles on it. I took a deep breath, making my wish and blew as hard as I could - the result was similar to this. A gust of powder sugar!

If you want more information on the mountain or the town check out one of the master Matterhorn photographers, Didier's shot.

avene, feather, Clementi, PixelTerror has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

faraujo (1303) 2009-06-26 15:24

Hi Linda
Well captured, the moment was very accurate...
Good white balance, sharpness!
Well done
Cheers
Filipe

Signal-Womb (11614) 2009-06-26 15:55

Hi Linda, This gives a close view of the summit, showing all the rocks and ice and the accent looks really steep. The best part is the clouds billowing off the summit, which gives this a sense of being alive, and not static. Good work..

dawekato (1986) 2009-06-26 16:32

Beautifully sharp capture. Good timing to catch the cloud right on the tip. Well presented with a thin white keyline and grey frame that's not distracting. Nicely done.

avene (10894) 2009-06-26 18:35

hi Linda,
your timing was really good, the cloud creates an impression that the mountain is smoking :) but the white balance is off, everything feels quite gray, and the gray frame emphasies it even more. gray frames are really tricly, there are very few situations when they work, usually they just make the image look dull. I did a really quick WS to show what I mean.

best,
Kristine

[workshop] [compare] +

feather (49848) 2009-06-27 3:15

It almost looks as if someone is throwing a bridal veil over the peak. That's what I thought before I read your analogy with powdered sugar. (icing sugar we call it) I'm sure you could watch mountains and changing clouds all day. It's great how you have filled the frame with your long FL. I think Kristine is right about the whites, but like you I need to have such things pointed out to me. Colour balance etc I find a nightmare.
Kath

dkeus31 (26010) 2009-06-27 7:51

hallo Linda
aha, nochmals das Matterhorn von Zermatt aus, sieht mit den Wolken nicht uebel aus ;-)
Didier

Clementi (43023) 2009-06-28 15:56

Ciao Linda,
in little time you have succeeded in gathering two different versions of this mountain, beautiful.
have a nice week
Giorgio

Waylim (10717) 2009-06-29 9:15

Hello Linda,
It is amazing how different it make with different lighting. Even though this one is a sunny day but it seems colder and offcourse the pattern of the wind and light cloud make is seem so. I seem the mountain through the years gives in a little to the wind and it bending a little to the left where the wind blow. Good Details and really nice close up shot. Have a good week. Say "Hi to my little friends, Mark and Kris for me." I hope they are doing well.
Way

photoray (1198) 2009-06-30 18:02

Hi Linda,

Interesting composition of the Alp icon, the closeup works quite well with a bonus of the wispy clouds.

Good job,
Ray

baba_flies (7941) 2009-07-01 11:11

Liebe Linda! Das haette ich sehen wollen, jaja, diese Dinge im Leben, sie begleiten einem und hie und da kommen sie einem wieder in den Sinn. Wolken, sie sind oft das "a und o" beim Fotografieren und bringen neue Seiten hervor. Ein ganz "normales" Matterhorn erhaelt auf einmal eine ganz andere neue Dimension ... Herrlich. Beste Gruesse + ein schoener Abend ... Barbara.

MarianneS (14262) 2009-07-01 14:20

Hello Dear Linda,
I like your photo a lot but to my mind, that grey frame does not fit it. It does not enhance the beauty of this mountain. I know it is just a detail, but I can't help seeing it.
But of course, this summit is superb (again) and I like how you catched it, with the clouds which seem to turn around the mountain!
Big hug, Marianne

PixelTerror (86036) 2009-07-05 5:50

Hi Sister
A nice image of the big giant with the refreshing power from the blown clouds. Seems you're the only survivor from the whole team, other having disappeared to F***r (filler * subject to different values according to how you value this big mess...)
Have a nice day JY

COSTANTINO (22255) 2009-07-07 11:42

Hello
An absolute different photo from the usuals..
I like the idea,the ice covering the mountain and the clouds touching the top of it..It looks like a volcano
good capture of that particular moment
greetings
Costantino

westcoastgirl1 (829) 2009-10-08 12:50

Hi Linda

Great to hear how this powder in this shot reminded you of a birthday cake, I wasn't expecting that. Your photo is absolutely technically sound. The angles in the mountain and the clear colours add to the beauty of this shot.

TFS,
Tosca

npecanhuk (13161) 2009-11-08 4:48

Hello Linda!
I love the Matterhorn and I was fortunate to visit Zermatt and see it by myself!
I love this picture, you caught such a great moment with those clouds ont its top!
TFS - congratulations!
Best regards,
Neyvan