Unfortunately, I don’t get out shooting nearly as much as I’d like to but I did go out twice in the past couple weeks to this spot in the Canadian Rockies. The first time out, I was shooting a time-lapse which I totally messed up so I went out again to re-do the time-lapse and also shoot some traditional still photography.
As my girlfriend and I were driving home I remember I said to her how much fun I had and this was even before I saw any of the images I made that day. I think it’s important to remind ourselves sometimes that it’s not all about coming away with a portfolio grade image but it’s more about the experience and joy of being outside!
Anyway, I’m curious what you all think of this image and what could have I done better. In a perfect world, I would have liked a small cloud in the upper left of the image as I think it would have helped balance the large mountain on the right.
Canon 5DII with a 24mm TS-E lens at f/11, 2 stop soft ND… Yeah, I’m kind of old school. I wanted to take a few different exposures to practice exposure blending but I totally forgot!
You may only download this image to demonstrate post-processing techniques.
Tom, I always lean toward horizontal images myself, but here is a case that the vertical works perfectly. I do like the ice line leading our eyes toward the BG area. I’m old school too, the ND did it’s job very well here…
I think this is a fantastic image. The light, the leading line, the interesting fore and mid grounds, and finally those mountains and colorful horizon. The image is rich with detail and clarity. No, there is no need for improvement here. Very well done!
I heartily agree with that philosophy Tom !!! While you may or may not consider this a “portfolio” quality image, it’s still pretty darn good. And when you view it in the future, it will remind you of your experiences that day, like the cold wind blowing down the lake, and the sound and feeling of walking on ice.
Yeah, some nice clouds would have helped, but I still think this image tells a pretty good story. I’m not sure there is much I would recommend doing differently with either the composition or processing of this image. And thank you for sharing this moment in time and place with us.
I think I’ll buck the trend here and say that the “leading line” too leading, too dominant. I think the image would be stronger without it. It obscures the rocks, which are far more interesting.
Thanks for the feedback Igor, I appreciate hearing your opinion! I have a few more comps from that shoot (without the ice crack) that I haven’t processed it so I will definitely also look at them.
This is just simply a beautiful winter landscape from the Canadian Rockies. The colors are gorgeous and I think the classic vertical comp (rule of thirds too) with the lead-in line work wonderfully.
I have no nits or suggestions - although I’m glad there are no clouds. The color gradation is quite enough for me. Well done!
Hi Tom, Your comment on being less obsessed with the pursuit of capturing “the” image and enjoying the sublime beauty of nature fully resonates with me.
This is a very fine image, beautifully composed. The lines, the color palette… everything came together nicely.
I’m blown away by the beauty of this image. You did an excellent job at capturing the feel and peacefulness of the landscape. I think the image is perfect just the way it is.
