Two-tone trees at sunset

[Manfred M]

This shot taken of Pinhey's Point on the Ottawa River has some interesting lighting. The foreground is in shadow, with the sunlight being blocked by a hill. The background is still nicely lit by the setting sun, giving some of the evergreen trees a distinctive two-tone look.







The sun is almost directly behind me, the Ottawa River is frozen solid (there were pickup trucks and snowmobiles driving on it while I was shooting). The Gatineau Hills (foothills of the Laurentian Mountains) are in the background. I used a 2-stop soft grad filter to bring out the clouds.

My wife tramped through the snow in the foreground with her snowshoes to break it up a bit.

[Mike Buckley]

Anyone who doesn't view this in the Lytebox is missing out on some gorgeous detail. The image also works well on the whole.

[Nicola]

so beautiful!

[Shadowman]

Nicely done.

[Stagecoach]

Perfect Manfred.

[Nicks Pics]

Did a good job on this one Manfred. Can be hard to make a good image in the winter.

[Manfred M]

Did a good job on this one Manfred.

Thanks Nick.

Can be hard to make a good image in the winter.

It's hard to do a scene with ice and snow in the summer, Nick.

The one major advantage of shooting in the winter in these parts is that there is virtually NO humidity in the air, which lets a photographer get these ultra-sharp images that are impossible to get at any other time of year. A couple of other advantages at these latitudes is that sunrise is much later in the day and sunset much earlier, and "golden hour" seems to last much longer with the sun so close to the horizon.

Spring photography is almost impossible because the blackflies come out in May and the mosquitos are rather fierce in June. I have bug resistant gear, but the hands can be a real problem to protect.

The disadvantages are the cold and snow, and working in these conditions. My photography gear and approach does not change, other than having to carry more batteries (and keeping them close to the body to keep them warm) and taking a bit of care when moving from cold to warmer enviornments (condensation on lenses, mainly).

We do have proper clothing for winter conditions, so it's not too bad if one is dressed for it. The only part I don't like is having to remove my gloves or mitts to manipulate the camera controls or change lenses. I did have snowshoes in the car, in case the snow got too deep, but this wasn't a problem for this shoot. I've been in situations where I couldn't set up my tripod, because it insisted on sinking down into the snow. Setting up a 5' high tripod and then having to squat down to use it is no fun at all.

Driving to and from the sites, especially on country roads, like I had to do for this shot, is probably the hardest part, especially before sunrise and after sunset. It can be difficult to figure out where the blasted road is at times...

[Nicks Pics]

Thanks Nick.



It's hard to do a scene with ice and snow in the summer, Nick.

The one major advantage of shooting in the winter in these parts is that there is virtually NO humidity in the air, which lets a photographer get these ultra-sharp images that are impossible to get at any other time of year. A couple of other advantages at these latitudes is that sunrise is much later in the day and sunset much earlier, and "golden hour" seems to last much longer with the sun so close to the horizon.

Spring photography is almost impossible because the blackflies come out in May and the mosquitos are rather fierce in June. I have bug resistant gear, but the hands can be a real problem to protect.

The disadvantages are the cold and snow, and working in these conditions. My photography gear and approach does not change, other than having to carry more batteries (and keeping them close to the body to keep them warm) and taking a bit of care when moving from cold to warmer enviornments (condensation on lenses, mainly).

We do have proper clothing for winter conditions, so it's not too bad if one is dressed for it. The only part I don't like is having to remove my gloves or mitts to manipulate the camera controls or change lenses. I did have snowshoes in the car, in case the snow got too deep, but this wasn't a problem for this shoot. I've been in situations where I couldn't set up my tripod, because it insisted on sinking down into the snow. Setting up a 5' high tripod and then having to squat down to use it is no fun at all.

Driving to and from the sites, especially on country roads, like I had to do for this shot, is probably the hardest part, especially before sunrise and after sunset. It can be difficult to figure out where the blasted road is at times...

I am glad that around here spring and summer are generally nice for photography. In winter it is mainly just hard to find a good subject. The snow is pretty for the first day or two after it falls, but then it gets old and not very pretty. I do enjoy seeing winter photography though, it can be very striking, and I know it represents an effort from the photographers who do it. I have some thin gloves, they help a little for winter photography. I've heard it recommended to put your lens in a plastic bag before you bring it inside. I had frost form on my tripod after I brought it back in the house this winter.

[Manfred M]

In winter it is mainly just hard to find a good subject.

That's because you are not looking photographically. I'm willing to bet that you can find all kinds of subjects, if you really looked within 50 yards of where you live. I've taken interesting shots three or four steps from my front door.



Learning to see photographically is a critical skill. Set yourself a challange of finding 10 interesting images that are no more than 50 yards from your home. You might even surprise yourself.

[Nicks Pics]

That's because you are not looking photographically. I'm willing to be that you can find all kinds of subjects, if you really looked within 50 yards of where you live. I've taken interesting shots three or four steps from my front door.



Learning to see photographically is a critical skill. Set yourself a challange of finding 10 interesting images that are no more than 50 yards from your home. You might even surprise yourself.

That's me! Where's a moose! Just kidding, it's a good reminder to look out for subjects. The freezing rain was framed beautifully.

[joebranko]

Super shot. The two tone trees are quite beautiful!