Another late winter Ice Abstract. It continually amazes me how intricate some of these ice patterns can be, Mother Nature gets very creative sometimes. All that I have to do is find them
The concentric rings here were very interesting. Late winter is a good time to find these more unusual patterns, because we cycle between cold and warm days, which leads to thawing and refreezing. I used a telephoto lens from the bank of a stream and used focus stacking to get everything sharp.
Specific Feedback Requested
any critique or comments are welcome
Technical Details
Is this a composite: Yes
Focus stacked using Helicon Focus software
Canon 5D MK4, Canon 70-200mm f4 lens, at 160mm, ISO 200, 1/6 sec at f16
Yes this is the time of year to be on the hunt for these & I’m glad you saw this one. The focus stacking makes it - I REALLY have to remember to do that in the field. The tones & patterns are a delight.
Ed,
It’s difficult to critique these abstracts, but I do like the contrast and flowing shapes in this one. I know you sometimes look at a horizontal flip of an image. I thought a flip of this one might create a different flow from the LLC.
Very cool stuff, Ed. The blue and grey tones are just wonderful , and the graceful curving lines of the ice flow as it moves from left to right is very fascinating. What I find most captivating in this miniature landscape is the luminosity or glow the ice has; like it has a life of it’s own. Great job on this!
Well, if @Matt_Lancaster 's work was a Monet then this is a Picasso. I see the chin, nose, and eyes. They cheek bone is rather prominent. The composition is really strong in this image. However, I preferred the previous bubbles image for it’s energy and optimism. Actually, even though the subject is the same the images are quite different. There is a greater usage of blacks in this image.
Love what you did with the tones and contrast. The “cracked” pattern creates and interesting contrast with the round and concentric shapes.
The only thing i would say i could change would be to recrop to a “squarer” format to cut out those small bubbles on the left and keep the attention on the “face” on the center. And even that i dont think it would improve such a gorgeous shot.
This ice formation was a gem, and this was quite large, measuring maybe 4 or 5 inches across. Joao, I would prefer to clone the bubbles on the left away rather than moving to a squarer aspect ratio. I just don’t see the world in squares and am not a fan of that aspect ratio, perhaps part of why I refuse to join Instagram, among other reasons.
Totally get you, i think no one sees the world in squares, not even in rectangles , in strong subjects, to me, squarer formats can add to the composition. Instagram took advantage of the square format to ease the layout of the mobile platform. I always liked 6x6 and 4x5 cameras, even do my budget doesn’t allow to get one now . Its a personal taste most of all.
Beautifully done, Ed. Wonderful form, colour and line. It has a feel of something that is both man-made (like blown glass) and a living thing. You know how I respond to fractal geometry and this has that in spades.
I’m coming in late on this one Ed. I saw it a time or two and had other things going on so didn’t get to open it up and enjoy it. You really captured this one well. As @Matt_Lancaster said, “mesmerized by the swirls”. Such texture and lines in this. Very nice.
, in strong subjects, to me, squarer formats can add to the composition. Instagram took advantage of the square format to ease the layout of the mobile platform. I always liked 6x6 and 4x5 cameras, even do my budget doesn’t allow to get one now 
. Its a personal taste most of all.