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Sylvan Lake


Sylvan Lake
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: 2007-07-31
Categories: Nature
Camera: Olympus E 300, 58mm circular polarizer
Exposure: f/6.3, 1/125 seconds
Map: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Malignant Narcissism, Lakes, The Black Hills [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2007-08-06 16:53
Viewed: 1441
Favorites: 2 [view]
Points: 131
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Sylvan Lake

Custer State Park
The Black Hills
South Dakota

For a more detailed background of the Black Hills see my previous post Paha Sapa.

My first morning of vacation last week I made the effort to get up for dawn and then an early morning walk around Sylvan Lake in Custer State Park.

Custer State park is known mostly for the Needles Highway and wildlife .. but this tiny little picturesque lake has been one of my favorite places since I hiked and camped across the hills with a group in my teenage years .. we stayed here one night .. I have always wanted to return with a camera .. Needless to say it was a wonderful peaceful morning.

bruce_wayne, gunbud, asajernigan, AROBN54, jwmunro, jwillie44, Floydian, ribeiroantonio, bakes888, Cricri, claudio74, pboehringer, jaywalker, rgarrigus, Didi, adores, zeca, isabela_sor, vbbreizh, syd1946, john_c, Buin, danos, dip, hattori, ollie59, bracasha75, Atousa, afshin339, plimrn, yogi32 has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To capthaddock: SDjmcl 1 08-14 07:10
To isabela_sor: thank you for the thoughtsjmcl 1 08-07 22:06
To pboehringer: rule of thirdsjmcl 1 08-07 07:39
To ribeiroantonio: It is a ...jmcl 1 08-06 20:58
To ninanic: thanks for your thought ..jmcl 1 08-06 20:48
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • Cormac Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3286 W: 56 N: 6081] (25526)
  • [2007-08-06 17:12]
  • [2]

Perfect reflection! When I see something like this it's almost like a mirror, the water is so still and the rocks are reflected so well. The late light is great too, giving this a very warm glow, accentuating the colour of the rocks. Great work!

  • Great 
  • gunbud Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 4607 W: 4 N: 4484] (20064)
  • [2007-08-06 17:34]

Hi John,
Stunning reflection but the best part of this image that reflects so clearly in the still waters below.
Regards, Tom

Besides the exquisite detail, I like that the lighting is good and clear but still fairly soft - probably the result of photographing early in the morning. (Later in the day might have resulted in harsher lighting.)

John,
Well composed shot! The reflection is amazing giving the photo great balance and symmetry. The lighting and colors are fine with nice sharpness and detail. The early morning lighting gives the rock face a nice warm glow, well worth the morning hike.
TFS,
Asa

Wow, John, I am in total envy by never having been to the plains and western states. And in awe of how you are able to capture and present those places so beautifully. I love that golden morning light and those reflections are wondrous. Thanks for the looks at my own amazing country. Warm regards,
Shelly

  • Great 
  • vincz Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2964 W: 85 N: 5038] (17528)
  • [2007-08-06 18:47]

Beautiful picture with stunning reflections. I love the colors, very soft, very pleasant. Great work.

Very nice John!

This is a perfect reflection under some very beautiful light. Not much else to add but WOW! Well done!

Thank you for sharing.

John

One of those magnificant symetrically rustic color'd desert scenes. well done
michael

What a spectacular water surface. It is like a perfect mirror. The light is so good and the colours are so beautiful. Is that little line someone in a boat? It must be wonderful to go canoeing in that lake. Well done.
Antonio

Hi John,
like a soft mirror, very good reflection. But the original upper part is great also. The good light and contrast, warm colours and pleasant view with two "peaks" on both sides and a "valley" between them. I like it a lot.
Lieben Gruss, Ulf

Hello John,
I see that this morning was a peaceful one. I like very much the rock formation and the colours, too. This lake is small but beautiful. The exposure is very well done. Thanks for sharing John.
Regards,
Athanasios.

Hi John. Certainly well worth the effort! Wonderful colours and perfect mirror smooth water. I see you were not alone enjoying the lake. Beautiful photo and thanks for sharing.
Cheers, Paul.

There's a good balance here John - placing the dividing line straight down the middle always works well in these kinds of shots.
I really like the warm early-morning light on the rocks, and I'm glad you weren't tempted to push the saturation too far.
I'd have preferred it if you'd shifted the framing slightly to the right, in order to lose the scrap of bright green grass at the lakeshore on the left. It's a bit distracting.
Other than that, an excellent piece of work.

Cheers,
Ben

Woooow, what a great reflections, waht really wonderful reflections with excellent lightness.
Hi John
Cheers
Evan

  • Great 
  • danyy Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 7613 W: 448 N: 10779] (54821)
  • [2007-08-07 3:34]

Bonjour John,
une composition pas habituelle de ta part, très technique, bien calibrée avec cette symétrie parfaite entre reflet et réalité.
Très belles couleurs et lumières, un coin assez sauvage .
Bien à toi.
Daniel.

  • Great 
  • Charo Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2637 W: 22 N: 5433] (21393)
  • [2007-08-07 3:58]

Hola John.
Maravillosos colores y reflejos. Una foto que da gusto contemplar por su luz y composición.
Excelente POV y definición.
Felicitaciones.
Cordialmente
Charo

  • Great 
  • Cricri Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4757 W: 232 N: 6628] (31604)
  • [2007-08-07 4:02]

Hi John,
Joli effet de miroir dans cet eau calme de ces magnifique rochers aux formes et couleurs extraordinnaire, un grand silence du matin bien rendue, compliment
have a nice day
cricri

Hello John
What a wonderful and peaceful place.The light is well captured and the reflection is perfect.
well done
Regards from the Alps
Claude

John,
perfect reflections are always like a magnet that attracts iron or more elegantly expressed the honey that attracts the bees. This attracts all photography lovers, especially with such golden colors on the rocks. Remarkable composition with taking the waterline exactly to the middle of your composition. A good proof that the 1/3 rule is more a guideline and not law.
Regards, Peter

Hi John,
Soft light in a very peaceful and serene surrounding. Great reflection on the lake and it had to be indeed a very peaceful morning.
Great piece of work, very nice composed and exposed...like it a lot.
Regards, Henk

Hi John, WOW, A stunning view across this motionless lake, the mirror image is stunningly perfect, excellent light & the sharp focus is wonderful, I love the square on POV, a brilliant photo, kind regards Wilson.

Hi John,

Great warm light and double enjoyment of the textured rocks in the reflection. Breaking the horizon placement rule was smart for this one as it so often is for reflections.

Cheers!

Bob G.

I can see why you were drawn back to this lake John. A great reflection and super colours which sets the mood of peace.

  • Great 
  • Didi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 6591 W: 3465 N: 8269] (30442)
  • [2007-08-07 16:13]

Hi John
Very nice reflections, the whoole subject looks like a sound graphic.
Very nice composition and the rocks are well sharp.
Well done.
Cheers.

Hello my friend,
This is beautiful! The reflections are wonderful. Good light, very clear and sharp. I like the play of light and shadow on the hills. It looks indeed like a wonderful and peaceful morning.
Regards,
Claire

  • Great 
  • adores Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2761 W: 53 N: 4015] (13251)
  • [2007-08-07 19:05]

Hi John!
It was agood idea to return there. You got a perfect photo here, with great reflection, colours and symmetry.Great work!

John,
It's fantastic clear landscape view and very attractive and you captured and composed the scene perfectlly.
I think the light manage and colors are great here. an amazing symettry you seen there and captured,nicely done.
I love its atmosphere : tranquilt and poetic.
Best
M

Hi John,
Astonishing reflection and colors.
Great landscape and peaceful atmosphere...
Very nice job !
Best regards, Gilles

Hello John,
Wonderful landscape composition with so clear reflections and amazing light.Congrats!

Greetings,
Thomas

Don't know why,maybe because of my vacation,missed so many picture in your gallery.And today I can admire them all,and for sure from now I will visit much more often.Excellent mirror effect,the natural colors complete the perfection of this image
Hugs

What a beauty ... like from a page of Audiborn Society magazine. I like the blurred reflection. I have camped around here before! Regards. Latiff.

Hi,John!
This is real photoart!!
Great and fantastic composition with magic reflection!
Bravo!
Regards!
Yuri

Hi John,
Wonderful reflections, sharpness and colors.
A great compo of a beautiful place.
Congratulations.
Best wishes. Uğur

Isn't that an old song? The Black Hills of Dakota. All kinds of childhood memories are being jerked tonight (see my previous critique).
The reflections are of course beautiful and you have really caught the light at its very best. The central horizon is perfect for the symmetry. Good work.
Kath

  • Great 
  • zeca Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3062 W: 162 N: 4438] (18574)
  • [2007-08-08 16:53]

Hello John!
Beautiful lights, making the rocks more attractive! The colours are great and I like the textures from the rocks, but the reflection is really the best here. Great!
Take care!
Zeca

Wow, very nnice John. I love the light so much. Very pleasant. Love also the reflection. And of course, photography mainly has to do with light. You took it so well. Sothy

Hi John,
Perfect mirror as i like, lovely light, well framed, great result with yout shot, tfs.

  • Great 
  • barni Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1743 W: 92 N: 1777] (10848)
  • [2007-08-09 4:29]

Hello John
WOW!!!!!
Magic landscape.
The reflexion is perfect.
Have a nice day
Christophe

Hi John,
Great shot.Good reflections.Nice composition and colors. Good job,
Georg

  • Great 
  • berek Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3921 W: 172 N: 5107] (23968)
  • [2007-08-10 1:07]

Hi John,
perfect one of one reflections . I like this beautiful nature view. good light and framing. greetings.
B.Erek

  • Great 
  • Buin Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 3576 W: 1 N: 7509] (27171)
  • [2007-08-10 3:35]

Hallo John!
The others have said all but the incredible beauty and perfection of this picture deserve another two points. One doesn't nearly dare to breathe because of this incredible mirror ... a wonderful photo!
Greetings from rainy Germany!
Frank

Hello John,
Amazing colours, the light was wonderful by this occasion!
And of course, the calm waters allows for this fine reflection...
Classical and attractive composition!
Greetings,
Pablo -

  • Great 
  • john_c Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4896 W: 53 N: 5952] (24624)
  • [2007-08-10 8:50]

Hi John,
A precious jewel indeed. The fine lighting and utter stillness of the water contributes to the warm ambience; the silence is almost palpable. A crisp, clear capture. Well executed, John..later.
John

  • Great 
  • dip Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1561 W: 0 N: 937] (9158)
  • [2007-08-10 10:18]

Great shot John!
I like the reflection,the pov and the colors are very good,
a clear and sharp photo,very well done!
Dimitris.

dear john,
it's magnificent; colours, composition, reflection take our breath away
greetings
best wishes
nezih

  • Great 
  • danos Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3653 W: 84 N: 5517] (21510)
  • [2007-08-11 0:42]

Hello John,
a fantastic shot of the Sylvan lake with these superb reflections on the water.The razor sharp focus is excellent and I love your composition and choice of POV, as the reflection of the mountain chain has been captured superbly, wonderful light and brilliant colours, a very well crafted shot.

Regards,Danos

Hi John ,Looks to be a great place,i love the early mornings as the light is much softer,you have caught the light very well on the rocks and the reflection is superb.I can see why you wanted to return .Plus thanks for the great notes
take care
ollie

  • Great 
  • utkue Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor [C: 691 W: 12 N: 498] (3420)
  • [2007-08-11 4:33]

Hello John,
Very nice lake and very good captured.
Reflection, colours and morninlight are wonderfull in this photograph.
Congratulations.
Best regards from Ankara and have a nice weekend.

Hello John
Exellent reflection and very clear shot
My compliment...
Cheers,Braca

Exellent light and reflexion of this calm place. Must be wonderful to wake up with that view.

  • Great 
  • Atousa Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 538 W: 16 N: 680] (2171)
  • [2007-08-13 22:31]

Salam John,
It reminded me of one of the beautiful Persian poems that somewhere Sohrab(the poet)says "the beauty has doubled" referring to a lady' s face and its reflection in the water.
Very beautiful.TFsharing
Atousa

Wonderful light here John, the reflections double the delight, the subject is also original, we don't see many photos from SD on this site.

  • Great 
  • Manamo Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 830 W: 151 N: 753] (2976)
  • [2007-08-14 16:54]

you have to wake up early to get this kind of reflection...and yet, you have to be in a beautiful place to make the shot stand out. Here, the morning light "lights up" the rocks on the other side of the lake. Crazy, the reflection is almost as sharp as the "original" image.
Did you take the time to just look at it and relax? I hope so.

Have a good evening!

Marc

Hi John:

Nice light here. It's too bad the lake wasn't more calm. Your composition and colors are quite nice though.

Clark

  • Great 
  • Angshu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5233 W: 179 N: 8170] (26594)
  • [2007-08-15 0:43]

Hello John
Amazing picture & what I like the most is the balance placing the dividing line straight down the middle which works so well. the delicate morning light is so pleasant as it bathes the rocks in the orange-ish hue. Excellent John!
With Regards
Angshu

John,
Excellent capture of these beautiful lakeside outcrops.
I visited the Black Hills area back in 2000, with no expectation of what to expect at all, and found it to be a truly beautiful and fascinating area. We extended our stay as much as time allowed.
(I have a "nowhere near as good as this" photo of this view stashed in a drawer someplace around here!)

Regards
colin

Hi John
great reflections!! Details and shade of this picture are very good...well done!!

Alessandro

Hi John.
I know you've already received heaps of praise for this one but I couldn't help putting in my 10 cents worth as well. It's a stand out image in your gallery. So simply beautiful. Lovely colours and reflections. Good pano crop. Very well done.
Best regards, Steve.

Beautiful mirror effect and symetry. The light and colors are splendid.
TFS,
France

Hi John
The first thing I saw in your shot is beautiful reflection and nice framing.Colors and composition are wonderful.also symmetry is excellecnt and eye catching.Clarity and sharpness also are impressive and dreamy.
and like always your note is perfect and useful.

Thanks for sharing this nice picture for us.
afshin.

  •      
  • xuaxo Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2666 W: 183 N: 2505] (4150)
  • [2007-08-19 6:22]

Hi John,
Usually I'm not a fan of reflections, but here yours is outstanding in its perfect symmetry.
Regards,
F

  • Great 
  • fkokol Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 378 W: 0 N: 272] (1578)
  • [2007-08-22 10:24]

This is amazing landscape. Wonderful colours, light and reflection.
greetings,

figen

Hi John,
absolutely wonderful!
I've been on this very spot in September 1996...
Thanks for this amazing picture and for bringing back great memories!

A big hug,
Fulvio.

  • Great 
  • plimrn Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3931 W: 232 N: 5367] (16878)
  • [2007-08-23 10:02]

Hi John,
I had opened your latest and I quite like the peaceful scene but when I opened this one I had to tell you that I liked this one even better. As to the reasons; alvin has already described it perfectly: Perfect reflection!! the late light gives wonderful color.
HLJ, Pat

Very beautiful composition.
The reflections are perfect, the POV is great, the colors and the sharpness are very good.
Kostas.

Hi John,

What a well balanced composition, good lighting control. Just love the reflection in the water. TFS

Fara

Hi John,
I really love this one. The framing is excellent, the reflections are perfect, the colours are very warm and there's a very beautiful morning light. Well done !
Regards
Olivier

hi John
this symetric shot is really good, with great colors

nice compo

cheers

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