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Author Topic: In Winter's Wake & Early Spring  (Read 1133 times)

luxborealis

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In Winter's Wake & Early Spring
« on: April 19, 2015, 08:54:42 pm »

Driving into work on Thursday there was a light mist and everything was just a little damp, so I couldn't help but stop at my favourite place along the way - Ellis Creek. It's a small natural area along a small creek, wedged between agricultural fields in Waterloo Region, Ontario. I thoroughly enjoy watching how the seasons change this landscape.

Early spring can be such a difficult time for photography as we are basically looking at winter's leftovers. However, I am intrigued by trying to put a face on this desolation of bare tree branches and dead grasses, hence, my recent posts here and in the Landscape & Nature Photography section.

Both photos: D800E w/ 24-85mm; ƒ5.6;ISO 200;  EV0; LR 5.7 B&W w/ warm split tone (oops, no tripod this time, so ƒ5.6 - should have used ISO400 and ƒ8).

In Winter's Wake: 44mm

Early Spring: 85mm
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pcgpcg

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Re: In Winter's Wake & Early Spring
« Reply #1 on: April 19, 2015, 11:12:48 pm »

... we are basically looking at winter's leftovers. However, I am intrigued by trying to put a face on this desolation of bare tree branches and dead grasses...
I like the second photo very much because it does exactly what you've stated above. Very nice!
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Rajan Parrikar

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Re: In Winter's Wake & Early Spring
« Reply #2 on: April 19, 2015, 11:44:29 pm »

The atmosphere in the second one is intriguing. Why did you choose to make these b&w (not disputing your choice, merely curious).

Eric Myrvaagnes

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Re: In Winter's Wake & Early Spring
« Reply #3 on: April 20, 2015, 09:57:37 am »

They both work well for me, and remind me that I must get out with the camera again.
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Diego Pigozzo

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Re: In Winter's Wake & Early Spring
« Reply #4 on: April 20, 2015, 12:12:03 pm »

I do prefer the first one yet I agree with pcgpcg that the second photo is more coherent with the intent.
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luxborealis

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Re: In Winter's Wake & Early Spring
« Reply #5 on: April 20, 2015, 07:18:39 pm »

The atmosphere in the second one is intriguing. Why did you choose to make these b&w (not disputing your choice, merely curious).

Hi Rajan,

There was subdued colour in these scenes, and quite beautiful pastel tones, but I love B&W. I often see potential photographs in B&W before I see colour. Perhaps it's because I started in B&W and, over those formative years, cultivated a preference for the way B&W reveals textures, tones, contrast and shape. Often, my photography is less about the subject and more about the feeling as conveyed through these qualities. If colour adds to this, I use it, but often, colour distracts me from what I'm trying to say. This time, B&W did it for me. Thanks for asking.

Terry
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BobDavid

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Re: In Winter's Wake & Early Spring
« Reply #6 on: April 21, 2015, 08:07:23 am »

Reminds me of some of the scenes I'd run into as a kid growing up in Nebraska.
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RSL

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Re: In Winter's Wake & Early Spring
« Reply #7 on: April 21, 2015, 10:07:21 am »

Interesting stuff, Terry. I've been coming back again and again. Strangely enough the second one somehow gives me the memory of a lovely scent -- early Spring in the Michigan countryside.
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Eric Myrvaagnes

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Re: In Winter's Wake & Early Spring
« Reply #8 on: April 21, 2015, 10:39:52 am »

For me too the second one is powerfully evocative.
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armand

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Re: In Winter's Wake & Early Spring
« Reply #9 on: April 21, 2015, 11:48:07 am »

Interesting stuff, Terry. I've been coming back again and again. Strangely enough the second one somehow gives me the memory of a lovely scent -- early Spring in the Michigan countryside.

Interesting. If the title wasn't spring, would you know it was spring and not fall?

RSL

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Re: In Winter's Wake & Early Spring
« Reply #10 on: April 21, 2015, 12:21:40 pm »

Absolutely.
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Eric Myrvaagnes

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Re: In Winter's Wake & Early Spring
« Reply #11 on: April 21, 2015, 01:50:42 pm »

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armand

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Re: In Winter's Wake & Early Spring
« Reply #12 on: April 21, 2015, 07:55:33 pm »

I still doubt it. There is really nothing that can tell you for sure it's spring and not fall, and that's actually the beauty of it.
I've seen many scenes like this and without color you can't say, many times even with color can be tricky.

I'm sure you believe you can say but if I were to give you several similar scenes (not of the same spot) taken late fall or early spring, particularly in bw, I doubt you'll be that accurate.

luxborealis

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Re: In Winter's Wake & Early Spring
« Reply #13 on: April 21, 2015, 08:12:35 pm »

I still doubt it. There is really nothing that can tell you for sure it's spring and not fall, and that's actually the beauty of it.
I've seen many scenes like this and without color you can't say, many times even with color can be tricky.

I'm sure you believe you can say but if I were to give you several similar scenes (not of the same spot) taken late fall or early spring, particularly in bw, I doubt you'll be that accurate.

Difficult to say for sure, but everything at this time of year seems to be more "bashed-down-looking” having had a couple of feet of snow and ice on it for the better part of three months (or more in some places!)
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Bob_B

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Re: In Winter's Wake & Early Spring
« Reply #14 on: April 21, 2015, 08:20:46 pm »

Photograph #2 brought an incredible wave of nostalgia, reminding me of my childhood, growing up in rural Connecticut and tramping through the wetlands and bogs as soon as the snow melted. I may be the only one, but I still rather like the smell of skunk cabbage for the memories it brings back. And, yes, I love your bw treatment too.
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