Stoney Point Pensieve Photo

Photographer’s Note

Stoney Point Pensieve
Lake Superior from Stoney Point
near Knife River, Minnesota

My wife and girls are out visiting relatives for a few days .. I have the house to myself .. I find this wonderful for a day or so ... and then I go crazy.

Last night I drove back down along the North Shore of Superior to Stoney Point (yes that is how it is spelled). Stoney Point is a popular stretch of coast accessed by a little gravel road along the lake off of Scenic North Shore Drive (HIghway 61).

It was a gentle and quiet evening .. (unusual for this place .. people actually surf here). There was a small family that left after a few minutes and I had the place to myself .. other than a kayaker who appeared as I was packing up.

A nice evening of being alone in a quiet and wonderful place .. although I will admit to a few thoughts related to my previous visit here (See my previous post).

The title is both a reflection on my evening and for the large group of people I know greatly excited about and getting ready to see the new Harry Potter Movie:

The Pensieve is an object used to review memories. It has the appearance of a shallow stone basin, into which are carved runes and strange symbols. It is filled with a silvery substance that appears to be a cloud-like liquid

"I use the Pensieve. One simply siphons the excess thoughts from one's mind, pours them into the basin, and examines them at one's leisure. It becomes easier to spot patterns and links, you understand, when they are in this form."
http://harrypotter.wikia.com/wiki/Pensieve

amstel, jwmunro, feather, belido, JCG, gunbud, kingurek, phwall, siolaw, faraujo has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

amstel (2304) 2009-07-14 14:16

Hi John,

A well thought up picture with the foreground and the endless background.

Chrrts,

Kris

Waylim (11943) 2009-07-14 14:59

Hi John,
There are zen quality to most of your recent posts. All transpire a very peaceful, meditative and tranqil atmosphere, a place where no word is required and not words to describe its beuaty. You have excecute it with such soft and smooth texture. I really enjoyed them. Thanks, my complements.
Way

danyy (70659) 2009-07-14 15:12

Hello John,
a very special mmod, so quiet, a good place for a rest and some magical dreams. I like the soft colours and lights, this fog helps for creating this atmosphere.
A very good framing, and choice of the moment in the journey.
All the best.
Daniel.

jwmunro (6357) 2009-07-14 16:31

Hello John -

The soft tones and soft gradation of color in this image makes it a winner in my book. Well done!

Thank you for sharing.

John

bracasha75 (22983) 2009-07-14 23:40

Helo John
Quiet and peaceful place and moment
Excellent picture
Thanks for sharing
Bratislav

Graal (60312) 2009-07-15 0:04

Hi John,
an interesting coast and landscape. Great wild nature. Well composed image. I like it.
Gr., Aleksander

Nicou (47593) 2009-07-15 0:41

Hello,

que de douceur ton ton image, fantastique ce plan d'eau totalement calme avec ces beau rocher, cette lumière très douce, une merveille.

bravoe t maitié

Nicou

feather (51026) 2009-07-15 3:46

A Pensieve would be a great thing to possess. What an amazingly creative mind JK Rowling has.
It's also a wonderful analogy for this scene. At first I thought the pensieve was the lake, but the water-filled hollows in the stones fit even better and is probably what you mean. The big one in particular is reflecting clouds in the sky perfectly. The composition is particularly well thought through with a wonderful curve from the bottom right. We have to search for the horizon lost in the mist, which adds to the charm and peace of the scene.
Well done.
I hope you sorted out your thoughts :)
Kath

belido (17932) 2009-07-15 4:49

Hi John,

I like a lot the serenity of the scene. I'm sure the 4 seconds were essential for that result. Very well composed with the curve of the beach and the horizon line in the second third. Well done!
Regards,
Carlos

darek1978 (12180) 2009-07-15 9:40

Hi John,
Very nice capture and for sure a place, where I could stay for a while with my tripod and camera only ;)
Very good natural looking colours and superb sharpness. Fine photography.
Best regards,
Darek

JCG (26635) 2009-07-15 10:40

Hi John,

Still a photograph with an atmosphere of mystery, I like much this mineral foreground, these rocks have something of sensual by its smooth aspect. I like much the depth of the image and this filtered light. An image pleasant to look at, thank you John.

With all my friendships and with soon,

Jean-Charles

gunbud (28813) 2009-07-15 21:24

Hi John,
Many years ago I bicycled to the Michigan Upper Pinesula and was struck by the vastness of this lake which is wonderfully conveyed in this tranquil evening scene.
Love how the rocky shore gives way to a bit of sand beach, green forest and finally to the pink evening sky.
Regards, Tom

argycon (2749) 2009-07-16 0:25

Hi John,
Very nice atmospheric picture, beautiful seascape!
Great POV, superb soft colors!
tfs
Best regards
Kostas

P.S. I know the feeling when the family is not home. :)

foozi (4819) 2009-07-17 7:23

Hi John,
lovely view with great blue hues and view.
Such an astonishing view that makes your heart yearn for it. such a fascinating scenery.
The rock in the Fg is really wonderful.

Regards,
Foozi

kingurek (663) 2009-07-17 12:37

Hello,
This is really great! I like these calming colours and wonderful light management. Very nice composition. Clouds reflecting in the rock depression filled with the water looks really amazing. I like the atmosphere you have captured.

Greetings

Kinga

phwall (5974) 2009-07-17 17:26

Hi John,
Nicely composed image, very good balance between the land and water. I like the rocks in the immediate foreground, especially the small reflection in the rock pool.
Beautiful colours, it must have been spectacular watching the sky transform to evening.
I suppose if you are going to be alone someplace, this is an ideal location, all that peace and quiet, serenity is such a special time.
Regards
Peter

siolaw (26392) 2009-07-19 23:54

Hi John
Good use of the rocks in the FG to balance the smooth and lovely BG with sweet soft color tones. Great rendering of the atmosphere...
Simple and efficient compo here!
Regards
Laurent

faraujo (1324) 2009-12-27 14:39

Hi John
This photo is just lovely, I do love the blue's palette. And how the the water merges with the sky.
Great shot, John
Cheers
Filipe