Winter in the Back Yard

[churly]

Winter hit pretty hard this last week but left a bit of winter art.
Suggests & critique welcome.

Chuck

[Eric Myrvaagnes]

Much nicer winter than I've had so far.

[thierrylegros396]

The third is really fine and well processed

have a Nice Day.

Thierry

[brandtb]

I'm not so sure about the first two...don't strike me as having anything compelling as subjects - somewhat generic.  The last image is a very interesting one with a pattern like a "toile de Jouy" copperplate textile print - it's very hard to tell how much processing this has gone through (or not)...and I can't say that I think this interpretation (color etc.) is the best...but very much worth working on. /B

[Dave (Isle of Skye)]

The third is really fine and well processed

I really like the third one, head and shoulders above the other two IMHO. Perhaps a mono verison of it would give it that extra je nes sais quoi that Brandt might be alluding to?

Dave

[Jeremy Roussak]

The third is a cracker. I'm quite fond of the second, too.

Jeremy

[luxborealis]

#3 is wonderful. I love the subtle background colours. They give an added depth to the beautifully cut design in the foreground.

[churly]

Thanks to everyone for the thoughtful comments.  The additional sets of eyes and perspectives are always useful.

Eric - "Much nicer winter than I've had so far" -- I haven't been out much due to the weather.  That's why I'm posting shots from the back yard. 

thierrylegros396 - thanks, I enjoy shooting ice.

Brandt - "I'm not so sure about the first two...don't strike me as having anything compelling as subjects - somewhat generic.  The last image is a very interesting one with a pattern like a "toile de Jouy" copperplate   textile print - it's very hard to tell how much processing this has gone through (or not)...and I can't say that I think this interpretation (color etc.) is the best...but very much worth working on." -- I agree that the subjects are not all that compelling. These are more about stating the obvious.  However the patterns and light that caught my attention were totally transient and gone within a couple of hours.  WRT #3 - very little processing except an increase in local contrast and levels adjustment and a bunch of cleaning up of dust spots on the surface the ice crystals grew on.  I did try to neutralize the colors and I did try a B&W but the color is critical to the depth.  I did try moving the colors around a bit but without much success but I have a lot to learn in that realm.

Dave - As I indicated to Brandt, I wasn't very happy with the mono but I'll go back to it

Jeremy - Thanks.  I'm glad you like #2 as well.  Given the comments form everyone I am a bit reluctant to admit that #2 is my favorite of the three.

Terry - I agree.  The background colors give it that bit of 3D that I haven't gotten from this type of shot before.  Unfortunately the light conditions have to be just right to get the background. 

Chuck