Other Side of Paradise Photo

Photographer’s Note

This is one of my favourite subjects, one that I've photographed many times, Moraine Lake. On my most recent trip there I was looking for something different, so I hiked around the east end of the lake and over the boulder field to get this view. The parking lot and trail are on the other side of the lake from this spot (which explains the title). Here you can see that the scree slopes coming down from the mountains are actually huge boulders - easier to walk on but scary to think about what happens when one of them comes down!

From here you get a great view, and no people jumping in front of you, because you have the whole place to yourself. After taking some pictures I just sat down and enjoyed the view in total peace and quiet, which is quite impossible on the other side of the lake.

asajernigan, Nelu_Goia, ChrisJ, lucasgalodoido, Wandering_Dan, MikiM, ambar_81, japiey, scroller, PixelTerror, carper, pierrefonds, kmarscher, Floydian, robiuk, gneufeld, Gerrit, keribar, john_c, jhm, AiresSantos, Dyerco, plimrn, cherryripe, Rosa, elmec has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

asajernigan (14414) 2007-08-30 17:47

Alvin,
This is a wonderful photo the clarity of the water along with the reflection gives the photo a 3-D look. Your composition is outstanding including the reflection and the boulders sticking out of the water.
The lighting and colors are great with excellent sharpness and DOF. The contrast is nice with the areas of sun and shadow. This is just an amazing photo!
TFS,
Asa

Nelu_Goia (2754) 2007-08-30 18:10

Just perfect!
Crystal clear like always, I don`t know how you do that Alvin:)
Nelu

dsidwell (9745) 2007-08-30 18:47

Another very lovely image, Alvin. I love the reflections here, and the startling clarity. Super work!

PJE (19575) 2007-08-30 18:49

Alvin I can see your escape from the busy tourists paid off well. This end of the lake is absolutely stunning with the calm water. Excellent details and very well captured. Thanks for sharing!

lucasgalodoido (16945) 2007-08-30 19:06

Hi Alvin!
Very nice image, with a perfect reflection! Good shot!
Congratulations and Hug!

Bruno40 (6442) 2007-08-30 20:02

Hi Alvin,
Wonderful photo, perfect exposure and framing.
Great work
Jorge

Wandering_Dan (3329) 2007-08-30 20:06

That's a beautiful view! I have to admit the scale of the lake did not come clear until I realized that those are trees on the far side; without them, ir could have been a puddle with a good reflection. I think the amount of shadow at the back of the lake threw me.

I like the clarity of the water and the rocks under it, and also the way the rocks in FG mimic the mountains in the back.

Ann75 (0) 2007-08-30 20:47

Hello Alvin,

Another stunner from the Canadian Rockies. Smart to pick out this little area (I'll remember that for the next time I am there) as you get a bit of a different view! Fantastic light, excellent reflection, amazing colours and great details. The boulders in the foreground create lots of depth and I also love the transparency of the water in the foreground. Excellent work, Alvin!!

Greetings,
Ann

partha (13677) 2007-08-30 20:56

U have a mastery in landscape photography and this is no exception.
Excellent composition, nice clarity, eye pleasing tones.
Great shot.
Partha

MikiM (1916) 2007-08-30 21:37

Hi Alvin,

Great shot indeed - the mirror like reflection is amazing. The water gives back almost the same color and details that we can see originally. I've seen this effect in other pictures many times with PP manipulation - but those were so artificial not natural. The sharpness and the clarity is excellent.

At the end of the note you wrote a good description about the advanages of the landscape photography. That feeling is the best.

COngrats and have a nice weekend!

Miklós

darrasin (2860) 2007-08-30 22:52

Hello Alvin! Your extra effort was rewarded with a beautiful peaceful scene. It's amazing how even the exposure is on the mountains and their reflection. Nice usage of the foreground rocks to anchor the shot.

TFS
Doug

ChrisJ (70521) 2007-08-31 0:36

Hi Alvin

I like the superb reflections & blue tint in the water. Good sharpness, colour, lighting & contrast. The repetitive pattern of the rocks on the lakebed, seen through the transparent water, is also good. Tfs!

scroller (2883) 2007-08-31 0:56

Hej Alvin,
The stone in the water relly confused me since I couldn´t find it above in the mountains.

Really a awsome picture lovely nature captured by an excellent photographer.

regards
/Stefan

japiey (9531) 2007-08-31 1:04

Hi Alvin.

WONDROUS !!
A perfect image in every sense.
Sharp and sensuous..
Salutes, dear friend.

jean paul
(soon)

dkeus31 (26503) 2007-08-31 1:07

hello Alvin,
this lakes slowly beca,es your classic!
Nice reflexion and light on the mountains.
regards
didier

PixelTerror (87195) 2007-08-31 1:08

Hi Alvin,
This one illustrates what to expect when you reach the top of clarity, I don't think you could get something any crystal clearer than this photo, even with a D2X or D3... The reflection is superb and the view into the water down to the stones excellent, actually I haven't seen many photo showing this degree of clarity. And about the plac, well I have written it already on your many previous posts, I think awesome is the wors that describes it best.
Have a nice week end,
Jean-Yves

Fis2 (46713) 2007-08-31 1:25

Witaj Alvin!
Next excellent shot! Super colors and wonderful place. Water and reflections make ompression. Well done.
Regards
Krzysztof

carper (66132) 2007-08-31 1:54

a very nice paradise shot Alvin,
fantastic all those lakes, the pov here is a nice one, the reflection is great and the photojob is a good one, have a nice day.
gr. jaap

pierrefonds (26823) 2007-08-31 4:33

Hi Alvin,

A very nice image of this area of Moraine lake and of the Ten Peaks, the photo has a good composition, DOF and nice colors. Thanks for sharing.

Pierre

kmarscher (2881) 2007-08-31 6:09

Alvin--Effective use of this lens. The view into the water is stunning esp where the one rock erupts from the surface. All corners are deftly handled. I think your hike to grab this, was well worth it and definitely different.
Regards,
Kathy

kensimage (8543) 2007-08-31 7:56

A great reflection in the water of that deep blue high-altitude sky, Alvin. As always you picked the ideal POV, so that the largest rock in the water nestles into the inverted V of the lake. It's a beautiful place, easy to see why you like it! Regards, Ken.

dvlazar (6492) 2007-08-31 8:41

Alvin,
Beautiful colors captured in the rockpool.
Youve cut through that water perfectly.
I also find the shapes really interesting, for example that black shadow in the reflection creates an interesting shape.
Cheers,
Dave

jonathan_hart (22739) 2007-08-31 10:19

vertical framing is perfect ;)
wonderful landscape
excellent colours
regards
jo

Floydian (30970) 2007-08-31 11:34

Alomst forgot this beauty today which is a shame because the view you have here is wonderful. You have really a good eye for finding and creating good compositions and Moraine Lake is indedd a wonderful place to be. I will browse my archive in surching one, because this place is really unique and your picture really shows that...wonderful.
Have a nice weekend, Henk

robiuk (10763) 2007-08-31 14:02

I like this one as it's a bit different, Alvin.
Lovely blue in the reflection and great feel
of stillness & silence overall.
Excellent jagged edges following curved shapes.
Robi

gneufeld (15289) 2007-08-31 16:50

Hi Alvin,
A pretty typical shot but striking in its own way. I quite like how the boulders in the foreground continue towards the feature mountain view along the left. Great colors and exceptional depth and clarity. Perfect shot and TFS. Gerald

Gerrit (36553) 2007-08-31 21:46

Hi Alvin,
excellent spot. The shadowed parts form an interesting element.
Great colours and definition.
Regards, Gerrit

keribar (42760) 2007-09-01 1:58

Hello Alvin,
You area photographer with many assets, technique, good taste, good presentation ability, and overall you always look for ne wpossibilites. Please do not get tired ever ! Izzet

john_c (24635) 2007-09-01 8:02

Hi Alvin,
The foreground really makes this one sing, with just enough colour in the pool of water to keep the photo sufficiently saturated. The shadow effect in mid-frame is unusual and effective. I like the mood here and the careful way you thought out the situation. Cheers.
John

crhieatt (5145) 2007-09-01 8:18

Alvin,
This scene works well in the portrait format, with the line of shady rocks creeping (?) around the left of frame. My eye is drawn to the confusing - and interesting - conjunction of reflection and counter reflection in the water. I've done a workshop on this, just a simple crop. If, like me, you always cringe at the words "I've done a workshop" - don't look!
Regards
colin

[workshop] [compare]

toni_al (15476) 2007-09-01 9:59

Salut Alvin
Ce parc National est vraiment superbe , ici les montages baignées par ces rayons de soleil sont du plus bel effets.
Bonne composition
@+
Toni

zeca (20026) 2007-09-01 14:01

Banff, oohh Banff! I am dreaming since long time and your picture is inviting me again! Beautiful photo! The colours are nice and the perspective is great with the framing looking down and showing the rocks in the foreground. Well taken, Alvin!
Cheers!
Zeca

jhm (83786) 2007-09-02 3:35

Hello Alvin,

Again a wonderful image, what a reflection and attractive colours, this is a beauty my friend.
Excellent composition too.
Thanks for sharing.

Have a nice day,
John.

mporta (3352) 2007-09-02 10:46

Hi Alvin
In my opinion your gallery is one of the more spectacular of all TE. Beautiful subjects but not only, great photographic skills and great artistic sense.
I give two points to this wonderful picture as representative of the all of your gallery.
Best regards
Matteo

AiresSantos (43270) 2007-09-03 6:16

Hi Alvin,
This excellent POV give us lovely reflections. Gorgeous colours and very good details.
Well framed and done
Have a nice week
Aires

sacavem (8693) 2007-09-03 7:29

Hi Alvin,

Great photo of Banff National Park, magnificent lakes, mountains and forests.
Is a pretty postcard of this place. Good colours, definition and contrast. Taste very of the lakes and forests of the Canada.
Well done…
Regards,
Filipe

plimrn (19872) 2007-09-04 6:38

Hi Alvin,
Great framing; that curve of mountain tops has a very balanced feeling; espcially the way it
is echoed by the curve of the treeline and its reflection. I especially like the way the water is both reflective and transparent.

Your thought about rock falls is valid, my son was hiking Mt Whitney when one of those bolders came crashing down, he even got his camera on it as it landed although he berates himself for not getting it while it was in the air. I just congratulated him for nor being under it!!
HLJ, Pat

jplebrun (17490) 2007-09-04 8:05

Bonjour Alvin,
belle composition ce cette montagne avec son reflet dans l'eau, bien vu, ;)
Salutations
Jean-Pierre

cdmonson (2783) 2007-09-05 11:14

Hi Alvin:

No matter how many times you shoot this lake, you always make it look new and fantastic. I like seeing through the water a bit--a nice change from the trademark blue hue that it normally has. Great job.

Clark

Hellas (5127) 2007-09-06 0:58

Alvin,
thank you very much for this composition!
It is so wonderful to visit again and again lovely places, I agree with you. I like the reflection of the sky on the water as well as the natural environment around. Wonderful place, indeed.
The exposure is excellent.
Warmest regards,
Athanasios.

cherryripe (19237) 2007-09-06 10:07

Hi Alvin
The perfect reflection and the transparencey of the lake are astonishing. Good balance between the rocks in the foreground and nicely lit mountains.
Regards
Nikki

Rosa (4147) 2007-09-06 21:48

Bonjour Alvin,
Superbe ces montagnes, les couleurs sont magnifiques j’aime beaucoup les reflets dans l’eau, belle composition, Bravo
Amitiés,
Rosa.

cam (8880) 2007-09-07 15:01

Hi Alvin
A rarely seen POV of this place.
I do understand your feeling about Moraine lake, as I was myself subjugate by its beauty from my passage there.
Great quality, technically speaking, and you have succeeded in getting the mood of the place, a mood for meditation.

have a good WE

Charles

presidente (1115) 2007-09-13 2:55

Great photo with perfect exposure. Excellent reflection and POV. TFS, Andrea

elmec (12194) 2007-09-15 0:53

Hello Alvin!
Wow! Wallpaper scene!
I like the clearness there!
It's my today's best!
Best reagrds!

LCannon (2776) 2007-09-23 6:07

I was definitely worth the extra walk to capture this beautiful scene. As always another masterpiece of yours, amazingly clear reflections and perfect composition. I can almost feel the sense of calm and peace and smell the clear mountain air, well done as always.

dcawker (5691) 2007-10-14 7:16

Hi Alvin.. Don't know how I missed this one! Really amazing composition and the colors are perfect too! Regards, Doug

king (2602) 2007-10-25 1:15

Hi Alvin
What a nice picture is this.
I like the composition, with its nice reflections. The rock right in the water confuses the eye. Beautiful colours.
A place to be!
TFS,
Huub.