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Tree, Sunset & Flood


Tree, Sunset & Flood
Photo Information
Copyright: John McLaird (jmcl) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2437 W: 136 N: 3486] (12382)
Genre: Places
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-03-19
Categories: Nature
Camera: Olympus E 300, 58mm circular polarizer
Exposure: f/6.9, 1/500 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Dawn and Sunset, Rivers & Streams, Skyscapes I [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2007-05-27 21:46
Viewed: 733
Points: 46
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Tree, Sunset & Flood

James River - or Jim River - or Dakota River - or Etazipokase Wakpa
near Mitchell, South Dakota

I was finishing up editing the images from my Spring Break trip home to South Dakota last night (I am way behind getting things out of the oven) .. and this image really stuck in my mind all day ..

The striking event of my trip home was the flood of the James river .. it often floods in Spring but the flood this year was especially large .. and still in progress. I posted some other images from this set a couple months back.

From the Sioux City Journal:
The overflowing James River, which has closed roads and caused some uneasiness for adjoining landowners, is expected to crest at Mitchell more than 7 feet over flood stage on Friday and a foot below the record high.

The river level at Mitchell was 24.19 feet Thursday morning. Flood stage is 17 feet.

Davison County Emergency Management Director Jim Montgomery said water levels in the James River won't drastically subside until approximately June 5. Until then, he intends to continue to monitor rural roads as well as make sandbags available to Davison County residents.

"Right now, you just have to wait and see what it does," he said. "I'm thinking that it's probably slowing down."

The high water on the James River at Mitchell and down river has closed Highways 38, 42 and 44.

http://www.siouxcityjournal.com/articles/2007/05/11/news/south_dakota/187e0917dfeceba8862572d800089a28.txt

A river of many names .. Etazipokase Wakpa in (I believe) Lakota .. literally translates as the "unnavigable river" ... which is very accurate .. this is the longest unnavigable river in the world.

The river was named the James river (also called the Jim river) by a railroad worker. It was later officially changed to the Dakota river .. but not officially enough to take over local parlance .. or most maps I have seen ...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_River_(Dakotas)

JPlumb, scobert, Angelillo, Photo65Net, UlfE, stego, adores, pboehringer, danyy, jaywalker, danos, gunbud, bracasha75, zeca, VeeJayCee has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

i like the feeling of this picture. i like the sun coming between the branches

Nice nice shot John with this evening color from the sunset. the reflection on the water adds more interestingt view there. Well done with this 3 elements.

Greeting from Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Sothy

Hello, John,
I like this shot. I love the drooping silhouette of a tree that even looks weary. The way you have divided it with the horizontal lines and that warm reflection of a sun going down. VERY well done! Kindest regards,
Shelly

Hi John,

The unleaves tree, very well showed in counter-light enhance the beauty of this sunset. The two dark bands of earth produce too an interesting effect in the distribution of light and colors. Very beautiful shot.
Congratulations,

Angel.

Hi John.
The two land layers divide the image in very nice details, this one with the sky and the sun and the reflaction, and with the figur of the tree work great, very effective.
Cheers
Evan

Hello John,

This is one of the most beautiful silhouette shots of a tree that I've seen anywhere. Well composed, sharp, and virtually monochromatic, with black and orange colors — my favorite combination (Princeton University). We have a James River that passes through Richmond, Virginia, 50 miles south of here, I've never heard locals refer to their tree as the "Jim River." I like that!
Bulent

John,
Stunning colors in this one.
The compo is great, with the sun into this tree.
Beautiful,
Regards,
JB.

  • Great 
  • UlfE Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1542 W: 18 N: 1604] (6313)
  • [2007-05-28 13:54]

Hi John,

I love this simplistic shot and I think you have handled the somewhat difficult lighting conditions very well. A really great job!

Cheers,

Ulf

i really like the color varaitions from from purple to orange, it brings out this sillihoutte more. well done

  • Great 
  • stego Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3726 W: 621 N: 5230] (16692)
  • [2007-05-28 18:53]

Hi John,
It's absolutely wonderful, so it's no surprise to me that it impressed you so much. So moody... It's one of those photos that makes us relax just by looking at it.
TFS, Regards, José.

  • Great 
  • adores Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2761 W: 53 N: 4015] (13251)
  • [2007-05-28 19:23]

Hi John!
I see you have posted another great sunset! I lie everything here, the position of the sun, the great reflexes n the water, the sunset colours and of course the silhouette of this tree in the foreground.Really captured on the right moment and an excellent work!
Regards, Anabela

Hello John,
Another beautiful image by the master of simlplicity. A terrific work of art!
Stan

  • Great 
  • JPlumb Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 825 W: 200 N: 1011] (3125)
  • [2007-05-28 23:43]

Nice silhouette John with excellent colour. Your hiding of the sun behind the tree works well. You've taken it out of the shot but still maintained excellent light and colour on that water. They could use some of that extra water of yours over here. Very nicely done!

Thanks, John

  • Great 
  • danyy Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 7613 W: 448 N: 10779] (54821)
  • [2007-05-29 3:30]

Bonjour John,
beaucoup de calme et de romantisme dans cette cette de coucher de soleil. Sa position derrière l'arbre attire bien l'attention sur cet arbre.

Le cadarge est bien avec ces deux rives visibles.
L'ambiance de début de nuit est bien rendue par les lumières et les couleurs.
Best regards.
Daniel

A very nice shot indeed ! Beautiful silhouette of this old tree in the sunset...
I like this one !
Regards Master John and congratulations !

John, that is incredibly artistic. The light management is right in spot avoiding any overexposure that could easily be part of such shots. The colors that you achieved in the sky are superb. I love this image a lot! The right palce and moment to sit down and start thinking about life.

Hi John, A very beautiful photo, the colours from the purple at the top to the deep orange is wonderfully stunning, you have silhouetted the leaf less tree & all it's branches perfectly, great composition, kind regards Wilson.

  • Great 
  • danos Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3653 W: 84 N: 5517] (21510)
  • [2007-05-30 4:35]

Hello John,
the form that takes the tree with the sun to plays hide and seek is simply fascinating.The reflection on the waters and the orange of the sky are great.Very informative your note ,about the James River.Well done.
Regards,danos

  • Great 
  • Cricri Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4757 W: 232 N: 6628] (31604)
  • [2007-05-31 15:12]

salut John,
belle composition avec cet arbre nu devant la douceur et couleur magique du doleil, joli moment agréable, compliment
bonne soirée
amitié
cricri

  • Great 
  • gunbud Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 4607 W: 4 N: 4484] (20064)
  • [2007-05-31 21:27]

Hi John,
What a golden morning you have captured with the early days sun reflectiing in the flood waters of this wonderfully still river. The old weathered beaten tree makes the perfect foreground for this lovely image.
Regards, Tom

Hi John,

Love the colours, the river is so calm.... the reflection is great. TFS

Fara

Helo John
Wow.......
Exellent and only for joy i like this face of nature and thanks,man,for share us this.
Cheers,Braca

  • Great 
  • zeca Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3062 W: 162 N: 4438] (18574)
  • [2007-06-07 0:42]

Hello John!
Very nice degradée on the sky! The silhouette of this dry tree is very sharp and it is a nice subject to have against the sunset. Beautiful picture!
Regards,
Zeca

I like this John. You have thoughtfully placed the sun behind the tree to avoid too much blown highlight and exposed for a wonderful overall colour and silhouette.

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