It has been over 100 here the last couple of days so I thought I would cool it off a bit. This image was shot on the North Platte River. It was three or four below zero. When it gets that cold the quality of the light in the air is special and does interesting things. It is also very quiet and peaceful because no one else would be out in this weather. The sun was just breaking over the horizon and the colors for me were soft and beautiful. The image is cropped to pano.
What kind of feeling comes from this image and could it be improved? My position on the river was limited as to where I could shoot from
Pertinent technical details or techniques:
Canon 7D, Sigma 10-20, 1/6 sec, f16, ISO 100, 20 mm, tripod, remote release
If you would like your image to be eligible for a feature on the NPN Instagram (@NaturePhotoNet), add the tag ‘ig’ and leave your Instagram username below.
You may only download this image to demonstrate post-processing techniques.
I like the concept here a lot. The mist / fog on the water is nice. For me, I’d like a bit more punch to the blue / yellow contrast. Here’s a version working that concept. Maybe too far for this example, but it is the direction I’d go with an image like this. Very nice capture. Pano crop also seems to work well.
I get a feeling of hopefulness, from the way the cool tones gradually change to warm tones across the frame, with the progression pointing to the rising sun. The soft light and colors are gorgeous - I wouldn’t change them. While Keith’s suggestion is beautiful, it changes the gentle, calm mood.
Almost Turneresque, Richard, with its strong mood and delicate pastel colouring. I like the soft, misty feel of your original post. Might just crop a touch from the L but fine as is.
Great to see an image from you. Dang, that looks frigid - a cooling relief now that we’re getting deeper in to the heat of summer!
I first thought was that of a snow barge heading up river…
I like where Keith was taking it, but for my taste, maybe only half way from your original. I especially like bringing out the color in the fog rising from the river; less so in the blues up top. I think the pano crop was a good choice, given the elements at the extreme ends - the sun/orange on the right and the subtle appearance of the tree on the far left.
Richard, you are right, the conditions here are very special, the light and fog are magnificent. I agree with @Lon_Overacker on the processing, i would aim for something in between your original presentation and what Keith has done in his rework.
In terms of composition, while i like the idea of a panoramic aspect ratio, for my taste there is too much negative space in the bottom of the image. I think you did this because you were trying to include the tree on the far left. I’m not sure that tree is adding a lot to the image, to me this image is about the light and the fog. So I would suggest a crop away from the bottom and the left.
I think if you crop as Ed suggests, the snow island in the middle will be more emphasized and make the fire and ice aspect of the image more pronounced.
