Morning in Cropredy, a photo from Oxfordshire, England

Photographer's Note

There's nothing quite like getting up shortly after dawn and having an early morning walk for blowing off the cobwebs and making one feel refreshed and, above all, totally self-righteous. And so it was last Sunday in the lovely village of Cropredy where I was staying with TE friends that I took a stroll along the banks of the Oxford Canal and enjoyed the low angle light as it penetrated the trees with the promise of a fine day to come.

Here, looking northeast, I loved how the light lit the bows of a parked narrowboat and the red brick building on the opposite side of the canal. Totally peaceful, it appeared that all the crews were still abed apart from one lone fellow whom I met and who was fishing (without success) for roach.

Sonata11, besnard, bayno, Royaldevon, timecapturer, holmertz, SnapRJW, delpeoples, saxo042, jhm, annjackman has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

InasiaJones (29347) 2012-08-30 16:52

Hi John,

It's like if Carper was back!

What I mean is that I find similar light, deep colours and reflection that Jaap was synonym of.

This is a very fine composition and picturesque spot. Although the red bricks building is the obvious focal point with its placement in your image, but also because of its impact in term of colours, I consider that the boat is also screaming for attention, with it's harlequin motif and the discreet beam of light that creates a beautiful halo next to it.

Peaceful scene, nicely organized and with deep attractive colours.

Cheers!

André

besnard (48813) 2012-08-30 22:49

Bonjour John
La lumière matinale met en valeur ce petit coin tranquille plein de charme.
Bravo et bonne journée.
Nicole

bayno (16241) 2012-08-30 23:19

Caro John,
Well the light is really special and also the atmosphere makes very well the idea of a delicious fresh morning, I seem to smell the perfume, also very beautiful reflections and colors, great depth and always top quality...have a good day...
Valter

sroy63 (250) 2012-08-30 23:39

hi John,

Very beautiful early morning view. The colors are so balanced. Reflection is also co clean.
Very nice taken.

Regards,

Debashis.

brianmcc (5536) 2012-08-31 0:14

hi john,
the saturated colours of the red brick and and green grass immediately stand out in this picture. the sunlight illuminating these areas is wonderful, as is always the case so early in the morning. it's so difficult to get out of bed on a cold morning to take pictures but you really do get a sense of achievement when you get results such as yours. the sharpness and clarity are fantastic, you can almost breathe in the fresh morning air.
regards,
brian

kathryn_weir (1742) 2012-08-31 0:57

Hello John,
Early morning light has given you a splendid result...thank you making the effort to be there and capture this one to share :) the sharpness, rich ess of colour and depth are all superb. That little beam of light on the grass adds enormously to the atmosphere and feel.... A bit of a Thomas Kincade moment there.
Thanks for sharing
Kathryn

Royaldevon (17811) 2012-08-31 2:32

Good Morning John,

I thought you had been dabbling in HDR.

The scene is utterly beautiful, with that tranquility that can only be found at the edges of the day.
The deeply saturated colours are eye-catching and remind me very much of Brian's work. (I defy anyone to say that they are not affected by the work of people that they critique. Close observation and thoughtful critiques have generous paybacks.)
The canal is purely a mirror and has reflected the building and vegetation beautifully.
Clarity is A1.

Have a lovely day,
Bev :-)
(Was it a private get-together?)

JFS (32189) 2012-08-31 3:33

Hi John,
The magical light makes this quiet place look great. Nice shot!
Good WE!
Cheers,
Juan

timecapturer (30394) 2012-08-31 3:50

Hi John
there is a tantalising and quite fascinating light inside this beautiful image. It imparts a gloriously tranquil atmosphere and brings out such wonderful colours and detail. Your execution and post processing here are exquisite and the whole effect quite spellbinding. Love it!

Have a great weekend - regards Brian.

ACL1978 (5793) 2012-08-31 7:04

Wonderully rich light and colors, John - they really add to an idyllic scene. You captured the canal perfectly, emphasizing the curvature which suggests movement; the reflection is brilliant as well. Nicely done.

Andrew

COSTANTINO (42746) 2012-08-31 7:04

Hello
shot with symmetry,lines,lights and colors
what a beautiful shot with dreamy reflections
strong greenery,the scenery is really pretty
like a postcard remitted to us
have a nice weekend
Costantino

Silvio1953 (98259) 2012-08-31 7:54

Ciao John, great view of lovely place, wonderful natural colors, splendid light, fascinating reflections and excellent perspective, very well done, my friend, have a good week end, ciao Silvio

holmertz (26982) 2012-08-31 8:23

Hello John,
This picture is strongly characterized by the supreme light and colours. The view is idyllic and very pleasant, but more than the beauty of the building or the boat it's the triangular shapes and their reflections and the mirror-like water that I find really impressive.
Kind regards,
Gert

agjika (4015) 2012-08-31 14:14

Hi John,
Picture postcard. Beautifully exposed and composed.Love light and reflection.

I see you have been round not far from here!

Regards

Aleks

npecanhuk (53919) 2012-08-31 15:16

Hi John!
What a wonderful picture!
You really transmitted all the feelings you were having that early morning with this beautiful image!
I specially enjoyed the light, colors, chosen pov and compositon with that perfect symmetrical reflection!
TFS - congrats,
Cheers,
Neyvan

emka (58224) 2012-09-01 2:16

Hi John,

when I was in Cropredy I got up for a morning walk at 4.30. And I had such a nice light and calm atmosphere like here. And then a reward - short cruise on Me too..:). Lovely shot with the fine reflexions and also this beautifully lit patch of green on the right side. when I look at the photo as if I was there again. So, another meeting under the big oak? And what about the aging bachelor living in the lock keeper house? Was he there? :). I haven't seen him on TE for a long time.
Have wonderful weekend

Malgo

yaya13baut (3344) 2012-09-01 5:42

hi John,
indeed, a quite and peaceful place, moreover early in the morning.
the light is fantastic, most of all on the right side of the boat andit gives good reflections of the boat and the red building into the canal.
all elements are here : the sky, the grass, the wood, the water, the stone (brick I guess)...
good composition.

Yannis

SnapRJW (18792) 2012-09-01 8:06

Looking at this on a small laptop but have to say well done John. Beautiful, rich deep colours and a shot which captures the early morning light wonderfully well. Pity I was not able to join the oak appreciation society. I am now in Tulbagh (Cape) snow on the mountain peaks and a log fire tonight! Warm regards Rosemary

romanaa (7372) 2012-09-01 13:16

Hello John,

wow, this one is a real first class. You have observed the light and used it perfectly to highlight the boat.
The whole scene is charming and peaceful, yet full of bright and cheerful colours. I suggest you to change your user name, having been compared to Timecapturer and Carper you are no Tyro any more.

Best wishes

Romana

francio64 (38188) 2012-09-01 13:52

Hi John,
bella composizione arricchita dai riflessi sul canale d'acqua.

TFS!
Francesco

dta (51510) 2012-09-02 2:48

Hello John ,
The beautiful early morning light , for this splendid composition , with two attractive elements and their perfect reflections in the canal .
Very well done .

williewhistler (7317) 2012-09-02 11:31

Hello John,
the bright,saturated colours and the lovely light striking along the buildings make a super shot,incredibly sharp details in a really well composed photo.A real beauty.
Best regards Les.

delpeoples (45018) 2012-09-03 20:35

Ciao Giovanni

Brownie points for getting up early and extra points for capturing such magical light. The way it lights up the boat and the side of the wall is quite stunning. I love these English canals, they evoke such a sense of history - and a little bit of menace when one reads of all the dodgy dealings that used to go on on them. The perspective here is impressive, everything is lovely and sharp and perfectly exposed. great job, great photo and fascinating subject.

Un abbraccio
Lisa

saxo042 (31802) 2012-09-04 7:33

Hi John,
This looks indeed like a very peaceful and pleasant early morning. The water is very calm and makes a perfect mirror for the red brick building. There is a blue item here that is quite eye-catching. A beautiful and nicely balanced view!
Kind regards
Gunnar

jhm (122490) 2012-09-06 4:27

Hello John,

I am a very great fan of canal pictures, these picture is wonderful through the quiet water and nice reflections.
Perfect taken with an excellent angle, this gives depth and perspective.
Colors, sharpness and clarity are perfect taken.
Very well done, TFS.

Have a nice day,
John.

annjackman (13233) 2012-09-09 19:04

Hello John,
Well done you - getting up while the rest of us stayed in bed! It was well worth it for you. The water is undisturbed (even the ducks are not awake!) and the reflections of the red brick building are super. Stunning early morning light. There is even a patch of well lit grass beside the narrow boat. The very well balanced composition is delightful.
Brings back wonderful memories of the mini TE meeting.
Best wishes, Ann