Snow Covered Stream

[GB1]

Taken at Yosemite in Dec. Not a bad shot I suppose, but seems to lack subject and maybe the forest for the trees?

Kodachrome 64

GB

[gahspidy]

I like this shot, GB. i like the framing and the subject of the snow capped stones is good. If there is any green in the trees in your original, i would bring that back and let that glow. the eye would dance around the snow covered stones and then be pulled to the bg by the hint of colors
good one here.

[Coastal Flyer]

Looks like a post card. I agree with Gary, if there is a bit of green to liven things a bit you have a perfect shot. Really nice composition, exposier in tough conflicting conditions is also very good. Well done.

CF

[GB1]

Thanks guys. There's definitely enough supporting elements to make it an interesting shot, but it is missing a subject ... a deer standing in the foreground water is what I'm missing. I double-checked the original image and there's no green - I guess it was too late in the season for that. Maybe something will come to mind on what to do with this one............ it seems close.

GB

[gahspidy]

Thanks guys. There's definitely enough supporting elements to make it an interesting shot, but it is missing a subject ... a deer standing in the foreground water is what I'm missing. I double-checked the original image and there's no green - I guess it was too late in the season for that. Maybe something will come to mind on what to do with this one............ it seems close.

GB

It's a good shot, Gb. I would just print it.

[MB1]

I like it well enough but wish for some movement in the water. I would probably like it in color too if you had good saturation.

[GB1]

I like it well enough but wish for some movement in the water. I would probably like it in color too if you had good saturation.

MB - It is in color I guess this goes to show that there isn't much in the woods in wintertime. You're right though - maybe a little movement in the water would spice it up.

Gary - I'll try a 4x6 and see how it looks!

Gb

[jgredline]

GB
You know, I don't think I have seen anyone shoot snow like you do...normally photos like this are tough to shoot because the end result is usually blown highlights or over exposer..You photo looks very natural and it looks very much like it is if we were there...The water looks good and I will need to disagree with MB1 on this one. I think that the water being basically still allows us to see how shallow the stream is and we can see the contents right below the water...Those stones are great.. The trees look great in that snow is still visible on them...I see nothing to critique..Great shot!

[GB1]

Javier - Thks, but the image's exposure was fixed a bit in post processing. One nice thing about Corel PhotoPaint X3 (which is what I use most of the time) is it allowing one to easily adjust highlights, mid range, and shadow exposures separately. You can usually play with it and find a good compromise. I guess the still water does have it's advantages (didn't think of that here). Thanks for taking a look. I want to get back out to Zion and/or Bryce when there's snow on the ground, maybe in Feb, maybe prez' day weekend

G

[jorger101]

I like your shot very much it reminds me of some of Ansel Adams' photographs. The only flaw that I see are the reflections on the surface of the water. Maybe a polarizer filter would have remove them. I want to see more of the underwater contents.

[agtaylor]

I like it as it is. I agree it would be interesting to have some movement in the water but theres nothing you can do about that. I think a subject such as a deer would detract from it but thats just me.

[GB1]

Jorge, AG - Thks for replying. I personally am starting to think that the reflections are a bad thing. They don't add much anything here and it's starting to bug me the way they repeat like they do, though I doubt there's anything worth seeing in the water.

As for my missing deer, I think what I see is a decent background and middle ground and nice left side fore, but personally I don't like the way that bottom center rock and snow angle up like it does.. it just bothers me. I guess if a deer was standing there, it would change the geometry.

I guess I could paste a deer in there, but I'm too lazy. In another ten years or less, maybe they'll have wizards in PS that allow you to type in "put deer here" and click where you want it... it'll be that easy maybe. Then photo results will become more an imagination than technical game, eh?

[gahspidy]

I feel like chiming in here again. the more I look at this, the more I like it. I think the treat here is the dark water with the snow covered rocks contrasting off of it. also, the stillness in the water has a certain icy smooth texture that I really appreciate. Your placement of the horizon in this and the amount of fg is perfect for this scene. I see shapes in the snow covered rocks. The lower rock looks like a duck or bird of somekind with a snowcap in front of it. In the middle left side, there looks like what appears to be an alligator slipping into the water. All these Snow covered rocks have some sort of shape that can let the imagination run wild. Also, I like the reflections of the trees coming up into the water. they have a mysterious look almost as if some persons are standing along the streams edge . . .but then seeing no one there. Please do not "insert deer here". The emptiness of this scene while at the same time appearing as if it could be filled with the presence of life all around is what is exciting here.
It's a good one . . .

[jorger101]

I agree with Gary. The scene is fine as is. There is a degree of stillness about the image that is both calming and soothing to the mind. It invites the viewer into the image and I find myself looking for more details in it.

[GB1]

Hey Gary, what do ya have against deer?! Strange but I didn't realize the cause of those shadows until now: the trees in the back. Individual snow-covered rocks seem like individual people in a city to me, incidentally.. I really like that look too. I'm hoping to get more snow shots this winter but it's been all rain locally. Seems like everything's a road trip.

Jorge - Thanks for commenting also.

G

[readingr]

GB,

This is a beautiful image and personnaly I would not change a thing. The darkness of the water contrasts beautifully with the snow covered rocks and the feint touch of colour in the underwater rocks brings in a lovely aspect of depth to the photo, along with the reflections of the trees in the water adding yet another dimension to the depth. I think this is one time that a polarizer would have lost some impact in removing reflections.

I like the placement of the trees and the way they give an esence of trees but you don't get the complete picture until you see the reflections.

Wonderful

Don't know why I missed this, guess not been around much lately.

Roger