We were doing a little tour in Trinity County (California) last fall, checking out all our favorite spots. One of them is Lewiston Lake. On a still day, the reflection of the conifer forest in the calm waters is just beautiful. I was admiring the view with my long lens in hand (just in case, of course) when these coots obliged by motoring through the scene. It was mid-day, and the sun reflecting off their wakes was entrancing.
Feedback Requests
Any comments welcome. I’m fairly satisfied with this as is, but there’s always room for improvement, eh?
Pertinent Technical Details
Hand held (even with the big lens). No polarizer. Processed in ACR; maybe just an exposure adjustment.
Bonnie, there’s a calming rhythm to your composition, with the coots positioned just off-center, leading my eye through the scene. The sense of motion is understated and elegant, capturing yet another fleeting moment of harmony in nature. A truly tranquil and evocative photograph, employing negative space most effectively.
Bonnie, the rippled green reflections show fine details and are very restful. The interruption by the two wakes mixes in some quiet dynamism. I am intrigued by how the lower wake is discontinuous.
Congratulations on a fantastic image. I love the calm green color of the tree reflection contrasted with the bright and sharp wake. Calm but active. The contrast makes me ask why they’re in such a hurry, where are they off to? They seem to have an agenda. I also like that the trees are triangles and the wakes are triangles in a different direction.
The ducks are perfectly situated in the frame. Really well done.
It seems like such a simple shot, but so many things could be out of place to make it messy. This is just a perfect moment.
I also like this one, Bonnie. Many people wouldn’t have seen the possibility for a photo here.
I hope you don’t mind my playing with it a little. The reflected trees were tilted and I thought that straightening them might help. While I was at it, I filled more of the frame with the wakes and altered the crop. I think it works either way.
Bonnie: This has such a painterly quality due to the ripples with the only sharp elements the coots themselves. This is exceptionally good vision IMO and glad you were prepared. Good fortune happens to those who are ready to capitalize on it. Most excellent. >=))>
The lines of the wakes immediately grabbed my attention wanting to know what it was causing them. I like the way the ripples of the two wakes are intermixed forming interference patterns.
I think the lower coot swerved a bit and that discontinuous wake is the remnant of its previous path.
Yes, the interference is cool.
I was prepared, as I always have a long lens on when stopping by Lewiston Lake. You never know what might motor by (so to speak). I have a similar photo from years ago of a father and son in a fishing boat motoring by.
