Ghost Mountains Photo

Photographer’s Note

Re-Post of a shot of Moraine Lake at sunset. The original was a black & white conversion, which I liked because of the way it makes the outline of the shapes so different, really making the snow stand out. The colour version doesn't have the same drama as the black & white, but it has a more realistic look, and of course it has the warm colour of the evening sun. Most of my other pictures from this place use an ultrawide lens (12-24mm), but this one is more "normal". Because of the lens, this shot really gives a feel of what it is like to visit this place. the mountains really tower over you, and you feel like they are so close. I like this one because the mountains take up almost the whole frame, leaving no room for anything else. This is what it feels like to be there.

The preferred time to visit Moraine Lake is usually thought to be at sunrise, as the sun is full on the mountains. Later in the day the sun is around behind the mountains, giving you washed out shots. However, if you are there around the longest day of the year you can get the sun actually coming all the way around to the opposite side and hitting the front of the mountains again, as in this case. These evening shots are ethereal and beautiful.

Rosa, Nelu_Goia, Dyerco, Matthew-Watt, mariajosecon, ChrisJ, jjcordier, delkoo, PixelTerror, pierrefonds, asajernigan, gneufeld, Gerrit, pboehringer, AiresSantos, JPlumb, John_F_Kennedy, IgorDeleze has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Nelu_Goia (2628) 2008-02-23 19:32

Hi Alvin,
I have to contradict with you:NOTHING compares to be there but you are right,the "normal" lenses are closer to the reality; I mean the perspective they provide.
You know that those mountains are huge,overwhelming beautiful and yes, your photo is able to suggest that thing.
I think you got as close to the reality as one possibly can get.
You touched the untouchable; do you fell better now?:)
Thank you a lot.
Nelu

Dyerco (8160) 2008-02-23 19:45

Hi Alvin
Very nicely done. The whole scene is crisp and sharp and exposed for the highlights. The colours of the canoes adds a nice touch.
TFS
Phil

Matthew-Watt (4179) 2008-02-24 0:23

Hello Alvin,

Yes, it is good to see this famous line-up of peaks reposted in colour. Both versions are good, the B&W is more dramatic and the colour more, well, colourful ;). The kayaks provide a slither of man-made colour also, which does look a little alien in the landscape but suggests to the viewer that you are able to hire a boat and paddle around this majestic lake. The quality is very good, as always there is a bit of FG included to draw the eye or naturally frame. I may have provided more room at the top for the peak, but as long as you got the summit in, that is the main part. Terrific work.

Matt

[workshop] [compare]

keribar (42173) 2008-02-24 0:34

Hallo Alvin,
Although I remember to have seen some from the same angle the place is so extraorinary that I am sure All TE friends will appreciate more, especially if they are taken is different hours or days.
Happy Sunday - Izzet

ChrisJ (65367) 2008-02-24 0:50

Hi Alvin

Fantastic. No other words. I'm hoping to see this for myself in October. Marvellous reflections, colour & sharpness. Tfs!

dkeus31 (24548) 2008-02-24 1:07

hello Alvin,
nice light and colors on ths one, also a good reflexion, framing is almost to small for my taste, woud prefer little mor place above the mountains
didier

jjcordier (21862) 2008-02-24 1:08

Alvin
La version noir et blanc est splendide mais elle nous privait des couleurs magnifiques en particulier la palette de teintes des canoës. Un somptueux endroit que tu as magnifiquement photographié.
Amicalement
JJ

delkoo (31658) 2008-02-24 1:20

hi alvin

The colour and clarity are very good, allowing us to see everything so clearly that it's almost like being there. The boast in particular adds so much to this scene,

best regards
didier

rgarrigus (0) 2008-02-24 1:25

Hi Alvin,

I much prefer the color version of this scene. I like the hint of context in the foreground rocks vice a more obvious near/far portrayal. I need to keep looking at this one though because I am not sure how I feel about the canoes. I seem to think I want them either more prominent in the scene or not there at all. They are what we'd see if we were here but somehow I am responding to them in this shot as something akin to a phone call during sex. Might need to grow on me more I guess.

Stunning imagery of this place nonetheless.

Cheers!

Bob G.

jonathan_hart (21637) 2008-02-24 3:48

hi Alvin
lightened and shady parts are well balanced, nice colours, especially a good bonus with the colours of the boats in the shade
regards
jo

PixelTerror (81500) 2008-02-24 4:09

Hi Alvin,
As for me it's clear I prefer the colors version, but it's no secret I'm not too fond of BW in general, and here I can enjoy how the declining sun highlights some parts of the mountain, the parked kanus are good for their color even though in the shade and they tell about summer activities.
Have a nice sunday JY

Fis2 (41290) 2008-02-24 5:04

Witaj Alvin!
Wow super climate! Beautiful place. Super colors. Reflection in water make impression.
Regards
Krzysztof

pierrefonds (23528) 2008-02-24 5:19

Hi Alvin,

This is one of the nice area of the Banff National park. The point of view is giving depth to the photo. The reflections in the water are an asset to the composition of the picture. It is receiving a good luminosity which brings out the colors. The picture is clear and precise. Have a nice day.

Pierre

asajernigan (12059) 2008-02-24 6:42

Alvin,
I like the color version of the shot better! The warmth and depth of the shot seems more vivid. The reflection adds nice depth and balance to the shot. The lighting and colors are great with excellent sharpness and detail. The colorful canoes add a nice point of interest to the shot.
TFS,
Asa

gneufeld (13773) 2008-02-24 7:37

Hi Alvin,
Wow, this is one of your best yet! Every element I ever look for in a good photograph is here; stunning colors, amazing depth, awesome focal interest, interesting shapes, diagonals, strong foreground, perfect image quality, reflections, and on and on...I wish I could give you many more points but thanks anyways and TFS. Gerald

stevesaba (3349) 2008-02-24 10:23

Hi Alvin!
Wow! Another great shot of Moraine Lake. We were just in the area, but of course now the road is closed. I am still determined to get a good shot there, so thanks for the hint about the time of day, and time of year.
This one is lovely in every respect....natural, yet full of life. The reflection is just gorgeous. Great work as always, cheers,
Steve

Gerrit (33056) 2008-02-24 14:43

Hi Alvin,
excellent mirrorshot. Great light and intersting colour addition by the boats,
regards, Gerrit

pboehringer (768) 2008-02-24 19:53

Alvin,
I'm not quite sure how often I have seen this view from the very same POV here at TE and yet every single time it looks different. Different weather, different light, different clouds, different mood and atmosphere, but all of them have the taste of more! Pretty soon I will be there myself to be awestruck. Is mid - end August still enough to get the sunset?
Peter

carper (60991) 2008-02-24 23:26

a fine shot of this beautiful mountains,
fine shot Alvin, good reflection, good composition, very good quality, I like it have a nice day.
gr. jaap

ahaberal (6447) 2008-02-25 1:22

Hi Alvin
Amazing image, looks like. Very beautiful colours in an impressive landscape.
Congratulations!
Regards
asim

mumek (17334) 2008-02-25 3:23

Good morning Alvin!
Another beauty from your gallery. Excellent quality of the picture, fantastic colours,light and shadows.Very impressive artistic shot
best regards
ziggy

dcawker (5493) 2008-02-25 7:53

Hi Alvin! Glad that we were side-by-side with the posts the other night.. weird coincidence! (I chucked my photo though - it needed a bit more work). Anyhoo, excellent overall tones to this shot. I know how hard it is to get the right balance with late-day sun and you really nailed it here.. Well done! Regards, Doug P.S. CGBG's is long gone, unfortunately.. It's too expensive for anything punk-related in Manhattan now! P.P.S. How DO you get the 'first snow' and 'longest-day-of-the-year' shots here? C'mon, inquiring minds want to know! :)

JPlumb (3131) 2008-02-26 0:28

Hey Alvin, this is not your typical "Tourist Enticing" shot, i.e. you wouldn't find this on a travel brochure; the reason is those canoes. When I first opened this I saw this shock of colour on the right, it took a second to register, just what they were. I love it. Yes I like the rest of the shot too, great composition with great reflections, colour, textures etc. (all to plan) but the canoes really make it for me.

Thanks, John

AiresSantos (35827) 2008-02-26 1:06

Hi Alvin
another fantastic composition with wonderful reflections.
Perfect sharpness and reflections
I like it so much
Greetings
Aires

danyy (62985) 2008-02-26 23:29

Bnjour Alvin,
on atteint la perfection avec cette photo sans faille, lumineuse nette et colorée. Les canoës ajoutent une touche de couleurs surprenantes. Une photo bien cadrée, mettent aussi les reflets en vedette.
Best regards.
Daniel.

anes_lc (14716) 2008-02-27 1:39

don't know what to choose ..both are graet in my opinion ,the color verison just make me admire more the landscape ,wish to see it by real one day
great shot dear
thanks sharing,anes

John_F_Kennedy (27465) 2008-02-27 3:53

You're rigth this is a place I llie to visit. What a Incredible landscape. Beautiful image and very well exposed.
Best wishes,
Achim

AlbGirl (0) 2008-02-27 7:01

What a shot. Great colors with perfect clarity. Nice POV.

Thank you for sharing!

Gustaw (21670) 2008-02-27 7:44

Hi, my friend!
It is very good and very beautiful photo. I very like your view. Beautiful nature. I like your composition, good colours and light. Nice reflections in water.
Marek

danielswalsh (12930) 2008-02-27 17:25

Hey Alvin;

Good shot and technically nothing wrong with it at all. However, you've covered it so extensively Alvin, that I'm having a hard time differentiating whether I've seen that particular shot before or not.
Sorry to sound a bit harsh- but I think you've beaten Lake Moraine to death! ;-) haha.

Great work, but lets see the rest of those magnificent Rockies!
- Dan

IgorDeleze (9247) 2008-02-28 1:59

Hello Alvin,
Fantastic landscape!
Great picture.
Greetings.
Igor

batalay (19188) 2008-02-28 5:00

Hello Alvin,

A first rate image of the Suburb of Paradise that you inhabit. The contrasts in light and shadows are dramatic, the composition is extraordinary, and the note, succinct but informative.

Warm regards,

Bulent

markstaples (15670) 2008-02-28 13:50

Hello Alvin
Superb reflections and beautiful quality of image. Everything is well balanced in the composition. Very nice work.
Best wishes
Mark

sebinho342 (18341) 2008-02-29 8:11

Hi Alvin, for sure i'll go there once in my life, i will talk to some banff tourism office and you'll get some royaltees for cooptation :)
Once again a terrific one, you didn't try to bring luminosity on dark parts and it wasn't needed in that case, the background is fantastic and the extra bring of flashy color is an added value.
Excellent

Rosa (4541) 2008-02-29 10:19

Bonsoir Alvin,
MAGNIFIQUE photo lumineuse nette et colorée de multiples détails et reflets sont superbement rendu ici.
Tres grand POV !
Felicitation.
Amities,
Rosa

greg64g (11193) 2008-02-29 12:06

hi Alvin
i love so much your pictures from mountain + lake in canada, i guess you have the most biggest collection of beautiful shot from thee kind of place
cheers
greg