to the gods of photography Photo

Photographer’s Note

to say that I am not a morning person is a heavy understatement. I hate early mornings, yet for quite a while now every weekend I have been religiously getting up at around 5AM in a vain hope of getting THE morning shot. and I bet the gods of photography are having the time of their life - they tease me with thick fog, like last Sunday, hinting at the possibility of finding early rays of sun cutting through the fog over a misty lake surrounded by trees in full autumn colours. but when I've spent about three hours looking for the right place and waiting for the light, the gods change the weather 180 degrees. "sorry, sorry, no sunshine, just milky gray sky, gray light and drizzle. enjoy". and since it's already 8AM, it's too late to go back to the hotel, so all I'm left with is to sulk in the car and feel completely miserable and cold.

last Sunday was exactly like that, and I had pretty much decided to give up photography and return to lazy mornings with coffee in bed at around 11AM. then late in the afternoon the sun came out over West River near the town of Brattleboro, Vermont, and I admit that I changed my mind 180 degrees.

about the photo: the sun was directly behind me, and I liked a lot how it illuminated the trees on the other side of the river. of course, I'd prefer more autumn red on the hill, but when gods smile on you, you don't point at cavities in their teeth. the polariser helped me to increase the saturation, but I sine I wanted to maintain reflections in the water, I did not "dial" the filter to the maximum. on some screens the shot looks darker than on the others, I decided to leave it the way I saw it on my home PC monitor.

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RAW, ISO 100, 16mm focal length, spot metering.

sacavem, Floydian, jorgi, devimeuxbe, belido, fabio_ts, zmey, Greg1949, dareco, asajernigan, xavshot, clio, fulvio52, molla, meltemi, zeca, Gerrit, JorgeCK, Wandering_Dan, Dpbours, ElAprendiz, wishlist, BWJ, steliosk, hispic, plimrn has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

baclama (4741) 2008-10-07 4:44

hi,
superbe reflet parfaitement symetrique
peut-etre un peu sombre?
les rayons de lumiere sont tres bien geres
TFS
vero

Floydian (30970) 2008-10-07 4:46

Dear Kristine,

Wish i could have you seen sitting there...cold and lonely, frustrated by the weather, early morning, feeling misery...hahahaha
Who said the life of a landscape photographer is an easy one...not me, so now you know where all those beautiful early morning light pictures are coming from...getting up early and hoping for the right light and weather, but you already knew that :P

Kristaps already told me that the past weekend was not good at all for light and too much clouds...maybe next weekend more luck, just keep on trying.

This one, the only thing that i can say is that the bottom part is one stop too dark, else it's wonderful. The trees along the shoreline bathing in sunlight with great clouds on top to make ir complete. You were lucky here, this is also the light which i am after when getting up early...well done.

Regards, henk

aadilj (17950) 2008-10-07 4:47

Hi Krsitnine, thats a perfect prayer and a befitting tribute to the God of Talent. I love the way you have nuanced and used the textures, lights and colours. the composition is superb

devimeuxbe (56536) 2008-10-07 4:50

Hi Kristine
amazing landscape with a beautifull symetry. The contrasts in the sky is amazing, the light wonderfull.
Really one of the best pictures i saw.
Congratulations
Bertrand

jorgi (3804) 2008-10-07 4:52

Ha Kristine!

Now you joined the club. The club of perfect reflections! The club it seems I won't be ever able to enter. Every my effort to make such perfect reflection photo failed miserable. No, they are not easy to make! Anybody saying opposite is just rubbing into my already wide open wound. And now you did it to. Grrrr. Well it's perfect what else do you want me to say. Praise it a little bit more? So I can eat my self now that I'm so properly full of envy? And she says she is absent because of too much work...Yeah right. Seeing this shot nobody is gonna believe you anymore. You have no idea about the gods though...they have nothing to do with your fantastic photo. It is you Kristine, it is you that is talented.

Have a nice day..grrr
Jeri

baba_flies (8191) 2008-10-07 4:55

Vermont ... my second, third or fourth home after many homes! A wonderful mood that only fall produces and you knew how to use the moment, the clouds, the lake, the reflections. I love the cloud bank in the middle and how they spread out to all directions and this fantastic blue tone that comes out ... a fall blue, a notch cooler than a summer blue. Late afternoons in fall - and how I love them! Thanks a million times ... for leaving out another cup of coffee ... brunch in bed ... but go out instead to capture the light !!!!!!! Barbara.

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belido (17203) 2008-10-07 5:11

Hi Kristine,

your choice for the low exposure really made the composition. I guess the view was not dark as it apears but it's a real pleasure to look at the clouds and intense blues. Reflection is perfect and you got a fine adjustment with your polarizer. Love it!
Regards,
Carlos

BennyV (5002) 2008-10-07 5:20

Kristine,

I particularly like the patch of darkness on the clouds, being reflected in the lake. It adds a touch of threat to the idyllic postcard of the scene.

Benny

atif_ge (676) 2008-10-07 5:21

very good composition and colors.
reflection is excellent.
TFS,
Atif

kato (371) 2008-10-07 5:31

Hi Kristine,

Wonderful nature picture with reflection in the water!
And, You keep excellent quality about both color tone and depth. I like delicate difference of the color between the ground and reflection in the water as well as entire landscape.

Regards,
mikio

jdomingues (583) 2008-10-07 5:36

WOW! I'm shure that there was some hability from you! :)

Great, great shot, the Gods were indeed similing at you.

Keep the good work.

Favorite.

João

fabio_ts (13674) 2008-10-07 5:49

"Just SUPERB!!!"

Stunning work Kristine, many thanks for your early morning sacrifice :o)

Have a wonderful day.
Fabio.

zmey (7282) 2008-10-07 6:17

yeah... tell me about them... WEATHER GODS... i spent almost three hours running around country roads this morning, drooling at lushly red colors; but, alas, no luck with the sun. the sun came out from behind gray clouds only after i came to the office. guess what... it's blue skies to the horizon now :))

anyway, you made very good use of that short moment of sunshine we got on sunday. excellent reflections with the clouds forming what seems like a perfect X across your frame. beautiful and balanced composition. i lean to agree with henk about the bottom part though. it's not as dark as it seemed on my home computer now though.

best,
k.

pboehringer (770) 2008-10-07 6:28

Kristine,
the right husband is the one that knows to dose exactly the spoils like giving the wife the roses at the right moment. Not to often to loose the effect and not to seldom to loose the suspense. That is exactly what the gods of photography do to us that are out there to get the ultimate landscape shot. they were teasing you all the time and than close to the moment of giving it up for ever there they set the trap for you. The perfect weather with the perfect light on the landscape and boooom they hooekd you again.
Fantastic shot! Brava!!!
Peter

Greg1949 (8551) 2008-10-07 6:41

Well morning Kristine, I think you have done a fine job on this one. We drove past here Saturday on our way up the back roads to Quechee. As for the filter, I often don't dial in all the correction when doing reflections either. Like I wrote Gunbud this morning, I am not always a fan og mirror image reflections but here ans in his, there is enough difference between the sky and water colors that this works out very well.

Greg

Burberry1 (6041) 2008-10-07 8:07

I like this special, cloudy mood and great symetry.
Fantastic light management.
This is a photo that I call from The highest shelve.

A.

dareco (17104) 2008-10-07 8:29

A very stunning image! WOW! Awesome work and a scene worth dragging yourself out of bed for :) The lighting and colors are great! TFS and have a great day!

kyrneucciu (1344) 2008-10-07 8:40

Hi Kristine, very sober but so effective superb landscape cheer, congratulations. JO

asajernigan (14414) 2008-10-07 9:39

Kristine,
Your composition and POV are great here with the reflection creating perfect symmetry and depth. The lower 1/2 of the shot seems a little dark to me, maybe lightening a little would not hurt the shot. You managed to catch the morning light perfectly with the nice angular lighting of the shoreline. The clouds are great and add very much to the overall scene.
TFS,
Asa

Waylim (11391) 2008-10-07 10:11

Krsitine,
I can relate to not being a morning person. At least you made it by 5:00. I can try really hard and make it by 6:00. When travelling, I can do it easier, since the time is all mess up anyway.
This one is worth the getting up and it pays off well. I love the cloud seem to be in motion, coming at us. The reflection is beautiful though the water may seem dark but I like it that way, it seem a bit more mysterious and deep. The light on the distant land is wonderful with golden tone illuminating the shore line and trees. The bright spot on the cloud give great contrast and draw our attention. This is a well worth image. My admiration to you for dragging yourself out of bed.
Way

jimkilgallon (0) 2008-10-07 10:25

Hello Kristine
Superb scene and awe inspiring clouds to compliment. Perfect depth and lighting with such and awesome reflection. Excellent landscape.
Regards
Jim

xavshot (63373) 2008-10-07 10:52

Bonsoir Kristine
superbe lumière ! j'aime beaucoup le choix d'avoir choisi la symétrie dans cette image. Bel équilibre.
Xavier

romalek (2521) 2008-10-07 11:36

Hi
The beauty of the picture, legendary colors very good light, beautiful clear reflection in the water. Super photography.
regards
Roman

eversmile (6543) 2008-10-07 13:30

Excellent POV, Kristine, with the arms of the cloud that take possession of the space in diagonal, and the sun rays concentrated on its heart!...It's very dynamic so, and the light is very beautiful, as well as the reflections of the land on the water. Congratulations
Regards,
Marine

mesutilgim (37597) 2008-10-07 14:33

Hi Kristine, my neighbour today,
Great you have with this wonderfull masterpiece in my neighbourhood ! A real honour for me.
Wonderfull pov, perfect compo with amazing colors. And great usefull notes.
TFS and best regards
MESUT ILGIM

fulvio52 (8314) 2008-10-07 15:36

Hi Kristine.
when I'm around, wake-up time is 5.00 AM, every day, but I'll make an exception once I come to NYC : 5.30... that OK? LOL!!!
Now, in the first place thanks for passing by twice lately, I greatly appreciate.
About your shot : everything's been said already. In my opinion : just wonderful. The bottom part? A whiff dark if you look at it on Windows, but on Apple (which has a higher luminance) it looks better. You might wanna raise the lighting a bit in case of printing though, just to make sure. This or that, it doesn't detract anything from your effort. A tip of the hat to you.
Have a nice evening, see you soon.
Hugs,
Fulvio.

molla (6935) 2008-10-08 0:09

Dearest Kristine,
What a typical D200 picture ; )
I suppose the thing about going up early early in the mornings is a bit like start running... it's awful to start with but after while It really pays of and you wan't have it undone.
But... sometimes, it's like in JOB (O.T) a trial for the the righteous man and then you need good company, a thermos with hot chocolate and and a good thinking of that you have a whole long day in front of you filled of opportunities .
Regardless of what . The one that search, finding even if not at the place at interest,
Short; I think you have to get up early in the morning to be able to take such fantastic pictures in the afternoon
Absolutely stunning.
Cheers /Anders

marietom (32294) 2008-10-08 1:57

hello Kristine,

very nice view, with great atmosphere. These clouds are wonderful.
Bonne journée
Marie

delkoo (35058) 2008-10-08 4:10

hi kristine
very impressive landscape, The low light hasn't prevented you from getting rich colours and great sharpness, a bit too dark for my taste, but a great photo.

didier

clio (23463) 2008-10-08 10:17

Hi Kristine,
On my apple monitor, the colours are fantastic.
It is not too dark. There is a magnificent symmetry and an extraordinary light.
It's a great shot!
I know the virus TE which makes us raise at 6 am the morning and sleep at 1 am but even if we do not still bring back great shots, we discover the nature of a new way.
Bravo, amicalement
Diane

zeca (20026) 2008-10-08 18:55

Wow! Its a wonderful photo, Kristine! Really nice lights, very well measured. The fine quality is impressive. Well taken!
Regards,
Zeca

gunbud (28325) 2008-10-08 19:09

Hi Kristine,
We have been getting these brief periods of brilliance in the late afternoons of this rainy period here in the Northeast and you took full advantage of this particular moment.
The lighting is perfect and the cloud formation is magic as it along with the blue makes a stunning reflection in the lovely West River.
The little bit of autumn color makes this image a real winner.
Regards, Tom

Gerrit (36615) 2008-10-09 10:10

Magnificent clouds, Krsitina.
Rhe treflection and the clarity are superbe. A great photo job in fantastic colors.
Regards, Gerrit

JorgeCK (2602) 2008-10-09 12:53

Hi Kristine,
What a wonderful photo! The bright clouds, the beautiful reflections and the sharppness
makes this a wonderful landscape scene.
"early bird catches worm" :)
Have a wonderful date.
joRge

batalay (21422) 2008-10-09 21:09

Hello Kristine,

I had missed this beauty. The great landscape painters of the 19th century liked to have the sun on their backs, rather than painting into the sunset (or sunrise). The colors are far more vivid and varied when the sun is illuminating the subject rather than backlighting it. Although this is far more beautiful than mine, that is what I had in mind when I shot Learning from the Painter. (Please, don't worry about critiquing that photo. Besides your note is far more interesting.) Jack Johanson (jrj) did a ws on my image that brings it a little closer to yours. Just a sensational photograph!

Regards,

Bulent
Warm regards,

Bulent

Wandering_Dan (3331) 2008-10-09 22:15

Hi, Kristine -

I feel like that cloud is about to come thumping down on the lake! And by the way, fog shots can also be interesting with a few holes here and there, but a solid grey mass (such as we've been getting here these past few mornings) can be pretty depressing.

So be grateful the GoPs took pity on you!

Best,
DAn

alexisborel (751) 2008-10-09 23:31

Hi Kristine
Thanks for your critic.
I enjoy you early wake up, to give us this incredible shot. Everything in this picture drive us to center, light, and particulary clouds who are reflected in water to multiply the effect. I confirm you about dark, at work i saw it darker on my screen than at home.
Have a good day

Alexis

Dpbours (220) 2008-10-10 6:44

Hello Kristine,

Great results with your trustworthy D200 :-).
The reflections aree perfect. Good choice to not overly saturate and keep it balanced with the reflections. Impressive clouds and nice to see how the sun touches the rolling hills at the other side very gently.

Greetings,
Dennis

ElAprendiz (7370) 2008-10-11 11:43

Hello Kristine:

How could you put that cloud there?. Without a doubt, spectacular scenery, a perfect combination of light and shadow, established with sharpness and definition.

The title is very well given. It seems that on top of the cloud has a god, pretending to tell, look at this beautiful picture. Reflections in the water, great, the calm that occurs throughout the environment is great

John

wishlist (4133) 2008-10-14 12:38

Hi Kristine,
how are things? The trees sunkissed on the shoreline is the second grest addition to this wonderful work; the first one, to me the best one, is the great sky and its refletions on the placid water. The great feeling of vastity, peace and silence is beautifully enhanced by the stunning depth you created. Great quality throughout with well visible details..this is a picture I like a lot.
Thanks for sharing it.
Cheers,

Igor

BWJ (1777) 2008-10-15 10:16

Hello Kristine,
Your note is priceless. I smiled all the way through it. You are right; when the gods smile upon us, take advantage and you did that so well with your image here.

The sun breaking through the clouds and shining brightly on the one very large cloud formation makes a great focal point. Your polarizer enriched the colors and accentuated the reflections in the water beautifully. The image has wonderful depth, texture, and three-dimensional form. I admire your skill.
Warm wishes,
Betty

Angshu (34253) 2008-10-19 22:04

Hello Kristine
I also salute you as one of one of the successors to the Gods (at least the human ones here in this site) you dedicated this shot! The super wide view, the slice of light in the centre...amazing contrasts & reflections..This is glorious light & you captured it brilliantly!
Best
Angshu

steliosk (4784) 2008-10-20 15:50

a bit dark compo, you did wanted this to look like that?
the crystal clear atmosphere is captured perfectly, no technical flaws, don't mind me about the dark tone this picture has, its only a matter of view.

Regards
Stelios

Bluejeans (33457) 2008-10-25 2:35

Ola Kristine ,
Que paisagem fantástica , ficou magnifico o reflexo criou uma bela simetria , bom contraste de cores , gostei muito do céu , boa profundidade de foto , parabéns!!
Um abraço Gonçalo

sacavem (8703) 2008-11-05 7:53

Olá Kristine,

What a dramatic cloudy sky! Great colours and a very pleasant composition. Excellent DOF.
Congratulations & TFS
Filipe

hispic (7399) 2008-11-06 1:26

Hi Kristine,
Superb capture of light, the dark side of the puffy cloud's bottom makes the shining trees beautifully stand out further, of course also reflection on the lake. It's certainly a divine light.
Have a nice day, Hisashi

plimrn (19892) 2008-11-06 16:57

Hi Kristine,
Everytime I see a sky like this, I want to take pictures, and often I'm in the midst of a city with telephone lines and cars. You on the other hand were there waiting fot the evemt - as I read notes, it seems the best photographers are there, waiting.
HLJ, Pat

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jmdias (20213) 2008-11-18 15:42

kristine

I liked the shapes of the clouds, making a giant flying over the landscape. the reflections are fabulous in this work, fantastic these light, colors and framing. a simple and strong compo. well done

hugs

jorge

brevbrev14 (372) 2008-11-21 8:38

ciao Kristine very good this landscape image!
i like a lot the low light and the composition
very good work
ciao!
valeria

COSTANTINO (23487) 2008-12-06 9:51

Hi
A marvellous presentation of a picture
of the best photographer painter..
The symmetry of everything,the colours taken from the painters palette,the beauty all
over the scene is unbelievable.
Nice shot well done and well seen
thanks for sharing
Costantino.

archimatica (13486) 2008-12-12 0:54

Ciao Kristine.
Fantastic quality.
It's all perfect, too much perfect. Bravissima!

Best regards,
Renzo