Winter Returns with a Vengeance!, a photo from South Lanarkshire, Scotland

Photographer's Note

Last week in Scotland was almost spring-like with sun and clear skies but last night winter returned with a vengeance and we had very heavy snows which continued through today making driving conditions very bad. I checked the depth of the snow by our back door and it measured 10 inches (25 cm) at lunchtime today.

But I just had to get out for a walk and explore our home town of Lanark in the snow. In fact, it was snowing heavily when I left the house - and so, rather than risk getting my own camera wet, I decided to take my wife's little compact instead. But I did ask her first! :o)

Then, as I came to the tiny Delves Park, the sun shone and I came across this little park bench. Normally this place is full of people walking their dogs or sitting here relaxing but today obviously no-one had wanted to place their bottom on this snow covered seat. Nor had anyone disturbed the snow around about it, which was wonderful.

Somehow the colours in this picture didn't seem quite right so I took the liberty of converting it to black and white.

pajaran, sevy, jjcordier, delpeoples, annjackman, Royaldevon, timecapturer, Mondaychild, chrislo, COSTANTINO, holmertz, SnapRJW, CLODO, Kielia, jhm, macjake has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

ACL1978 (5775) 2013-03-11 18:08

Not only am I the first to comment here, John, but I also seem to be the first to view this beautiful winter shot! Again I think you all wound up with the same storm we had recently, arcing over the Atlantic. I like what you've turned it into - clearly just after fresh snowfall here, with the trees still laced with ice and the snow still fluffy on the ground. The shadows and textures are perfect, and I can see why you put the focus on this bench, with the interesting snow pattern on it. Beautiful, quiet shot - especially great with a smaller compact camera.

Andrew

InasiaJones (29337) 2013-03-11 18:42

Hi John,

A compact camera can do miracles! It's even look like you have used a polarizer, as the sky is very dark and the contrasts are intense.

You were clearly inspired by all that snow and you have turned this park into a moody image. There is a lot of depth in your image, brought by the succession of layers and most importantly, the bench in the foreground.

There is detailed textures everywhere, thanks to a low sun, and the one at the surface of the snow blanket is very striking. Vertical format suits your composition perfectly.

Great work!

André

pajaran (36224) 2013-03-11 23:04 [Comment]

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sevy (13273) 2013-03-12 0:02

Hello John,

Very nice B&W conversion: a large variety of grey, a deep sky, and a good contrast.
As well, an efficient composition, giving an easy reading of this view.

Yves.

jjcordier (62328) 2013-03-12 0:10

John
Ce PowerShot est de très bonne qualité et il permet de prendre de très belles photos. Un très beau noir et blanc, très bien composé, avec une exploitation idéale de cette très belle lumière.
Amicalement
JJ

delpeoples (44904) 2013-03-12 0:38

Oooh la la Giovanni!

This is a cracker! Wow we don't often see a B&W from you, but when we do, it's of such great quality. This reminds me of something Weetrees produces. The texture of those trees and the lovely darkened sky are simply stunning as are the textures of the powdery snow. Amazing effect too from the bench and the shadow it's thrown and you positioned it superbly slightly off-centre. Well done, amico mio.

Un abbraccio
Lisa

annjackman (13195) 2013-03-12 0:58

Hello John,
Wow - this is excellent. The b/w conversion is most effective. The tonal range is first class and I love the patch of dark sky. The FG subject is a very important element made even better by the cast shadow. I find myself peering through the trees to the lovely landscape beyond. Altogether a very fine picture indeed and one that immediately appealed to me when I logged on to TE this morning.
Best wishes, Ann
p.s. bitterly cold - the worst all winter

Royaldevon (17791) 2013-03-12 1:41

Hello John,

It is so unusual, in an urban location, to find snow in such an undisturbed state. You have been able to capture its textures and undulations quite beautifully.
I just love how the shadows lengthen and reveal so much of the surface.
A very well composed shot.
This is cetainly an occasion to get the best out of b&w and you have achieved that admirably.

Have a lovely (warmer) day.
Bev :-)
We had such curious weather, yesterday. It was snowing and sunshining at the same time. We were hoping for a snowbow!

lousat (57626) 2013-03-12 3:11

Hi John,fantastic black and white and magnificent composition! Snow,sun and dark clouds,the best ingredients to make a catch-eye so bright and very well played between lights and shadows...i wish to tell you more but my english is very bad as you can see..ehehhe..my best compliments and have a nice day,Luciano

timecapturer (30324) 2013-03-12 3:29

Hi John
glorious B&W winter shot this. Snow dampens sounds and creates a wonderful stillness and this shot evokes that atmosphere so beautifully. Lovely use of simple elements and light/shade to make the image all the more effective and compelling.

Regards - Brian.
Thick drifting snow down here too, today. Blowing off the South Downs and about 10cms in depth. As usual transport and roads utter chaos.

sabermonajati (7593) 2013-03-12 5:55

hi
amazing snowy pay sage you captured .
regard
saber

willperrett (2955) 2013-03-12 6:44

Hello John
You know my weakness for monochrome, so how could I pass over this example without a comment? The snow remains pristine, which adds hugely to the sense of unsullied cold perfection. And the trees, carefully picked out by the snow are just drop dead. I'm afraid it's going to have to go into my favourites.
Regards
Will

Mondaychild (378) 2013-03-12 6:50

Hello Tyro,

oh no, winter again! Please don´t send it to Central Europe! I don´t want to see, I don´t want to feel any snow for the next 9 months :-)
.
.
.
Anyway, this shot is marvelous. The contrasts are just great. I think black/white was the best thing that could have happened to this photo.

Gisi

chrislo (2173) 2013-03-12 7:06

Hello John,
Gorgeous winter scene
Very peaceful and well presented shot, but you're really in the thick of it there :-) A very heavy fall of snow and all looks so beautiful in the sunlight. I really like the composition and the light in all the whiteness, and especially that bench covered with snow cushions, symbolizing the word "silence" in itself, being empty, deserted. The light coming from the side brings out nicely the texture of the snow. You've done a great job capturing all the beauty in this scene. A real winter delight. Beautiful work.
Kind regards,
Christian

COSTANTINO (42746) 2013-03-12 7:09

Hello
magic inspiration,the weather here in Greece
is excellent,25 degrees almost summer
but soon the weather will change with heavy
snow,I love winter sceneries,their simplicity
and beauty,the shadows and textures are
almost perfect
regards
have a nice evening
Costantino

cornejo (18054) 2013-03-12 11:52

Hello John, very pretty picture of this interesting and beautiful winter scene. Very well captured in this lovely photograph beautifully made with good technique and quality. Congratulations my friend for this interesting job well done. Thanks for sharing this good work.

Good night and happy week.
Greetings from southern Spain.
Angel.

williewhistler (7283) 2013-03-13 3:24

Hello John, there`s not a great deal more to add to the over whelming praise that this lovely mono image has thus far received,all well deserved I must say,your good eye for composition has served you well as has the undisturbed snow,so much nicer without all those footprints etc.
A simple winter scene that has a great deal of impact.Lovely.

Best regards Les.

MJR (3147) 2013-03-13 6:16

John

I have quite lost my way with TE, posting or critiquing, though I do get my email daily for my favourites. So I was pleased to see this, and thought it worth a moment to stop and say so !

I chuckled to myself when I saw the story about the camera used, but what a result. The big one might produce better photos in some circumstances, but if you leave it at home, it don't take nuffin' ! ( to finish first, first you have to finish !! )

All that said, the 5D would be working hard to take a BETTER picture than this, it seems right in every department. The texture of the snow, the sharpness in the trees, the contrast of tones, all delightful. I take your word for it that it looks better in B/W, and it does indeed look good, but it seems from this image, that a colour one had a few chances going for it....

I must visit some new counties soon, then I might start posting again, and this year is the year of completion after all ! A self-imposed deadline I might add.

I hope this finds you well..

kind regards
Martin

holmertz (26932) 2013-03-13 9:28

Hello John,
Sometimes not even converting to black and white saves a picture, but you got the greyscale just right. The trunks of the trees, the side of the bench and part of the sky are really dark, whereas parts of the snow and the clouds are very light, but far from overexposed. So technically this is a perfect photo. I also get a great pleasue from watching the clean, fresh snow on a sunny day. Perhaps my greatest pleasure is the fact that the Stockholm area so far has been saved from the last few days' chaotic weather ;-).
Kind regards,
Gert

emka (58140) 2013-03-14 0:59

Hi John, We experience the same! it was already something like spring and now we have a lot of marvelous fresh snow. And even more wonderfully - blue sky and sun! But where to go with camera? I have no idea.
Good option to make it black and white. The surface of the snow is beautifully shown here and the light is marvelous.
Warm regrads

MAlgo

SnapRJW (18722) 2013-03-15 10:35

Hello John - Your wife' little camera has done a good job here or should I say the photographer has? I like this in B&W. The contrast between the simplicity of the FG with its textures and shadows and the business of the BG with its lacy trees and beautifully figured sky is super. Very attractive light and well balanced tones and contrasts make this one very special. Good for you! Warm regards Rosemary

weetrees (599) 2013-03-15 14:44

A rare foray into the world of monochrome for you John
Works well with the long shadows
i was out shooting on the 10th when the snow was a bit less to say the least and more workable with. This is just crazy deep..
Composition spot on as ever and the the G10 did not let you down
John

CLODO (24726) 2013-03-16 7:46

hi john

Good wintery scene, well exposed with the matter in the snow carpet and framed.
Cheers
CLODO

Kielia (20445) 2013-03-16 9:30

Hello John,
this wonderful impression has deserved more attention! You have excellently captured the beautiful side of the cold season. The composition is excellent and the play of shadows and light makes the image very attractive. Thanks for sharing!
Warm regards
Harriet

jhm (122444) 2013-03-19 4:35

Hello John,

You chose for a black and white picture, I know this shall are a specially reason, you're a perfectionist in your picture gallery, I read that you color are not perfectly.
Notwithstanding is these black and white picture not bad, I like your contrast and the fine scene, with the trees and bench.
Nice captured, excellent composition.
Very well done, TFS.

Best regards,
John.

macjake (39227) 2013-03-24 12:12

Hi John
talk about your stark contrasts in photos when you compare this one to your last post!
full of colors now monochrome!
it would be interesting to show us the colored version too, b/c you said the colors didn't look right - but then again why would you if you didn't enjoy it!!
don't blame you :)
Well, i suppose mother nature was pulling a little trick on your guys, winter is still alive and kicking!
love the clouds which give a unique atmosphere and a cool look, as do the branches high up.
nice shot!
see you around
craig

mesutilgim (67960) 2013-03-25 14:44

Hello John,
What a nice wintery capture in b&w !
Very well composed.
TFS and best regards
MESUT ILGIM

finlay (1535) 2013-03-28 17:14

John

This works superbly in black and white with such a good contrast. The bench makes an excellent focal point, and I like how you have captured it at a time when it's shadow is directly behind. Like the undisturbed snow too.

Finlay

Silvio1953 (98129) 2013-04-09 6:07

Ciao John, fashinating winter view, lovely composition with bench in FG, excellent clarity and splendid light, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

amaryllis (30149) 2013-04-14 14:04

Bonjour
j'aime beaucoup ton cadrage de côté , une légère diagonale en arrière plan avec les arbres, ce banc avec l'épaisseur de neige et son ombre, pas de pas encore dans la neige fraîche
splendide composition
Juliette

adidas5nb (1101) 2013-04-27 6:41

beautiful is the word.great great snap.nice,clean and simple and yet it carries so much of emotion.i really like the shadow and how the snow has moulded on the bench.
regards
dwaipayan