dj.tigersprout's photoblog
At Water's Edge (Central Alaskan Wilderness)
Posted by dj.tigersprout (New York City, United States) on 23 September 2008 in Landscape & Rural and Portfolio.
about an hour north east of Fairbanks is the Chena Hot Springs wilderness vicinity. many of you would remember this area after viewing my winter shot of the hot springs with all the amazing steam rising from the dark greenish water's surface. after a gloriously hot noon day swim my friend and i wandered slowly through the grounds, making our way into the vast surrounding Alaskan bush. at some point in our journey we came across this pristine clearing & quiet lake. here there were some cabins that could be rented -- but as it was late fall, none were occupied and the scene was eerily silent. i walked the perimeter of the lake, drinking in the wonderful tranquility of the surrounding woods. the lake was wonderfully still -- a perfect mirror. i watched the upside-down scenery for a few minutes stunned at the complete perfection of the visual until i came to the conclusion that it was in fact so perfect that it looked a bit surreal. deciding that it was too still for my liking i tossed in a smooth, palm sized stone that had been resting nearby on the soft grassy embankment. i listened to the momentary disruption of silence -- and reveled in the soft, audible 'plunk' and the slight gurgle of bubbles. then i watched in awe as the large even ripples began to spread slowly across the surface to the distant corners of the lake. after a few moments, they began to gently distort the mirror reflection, skewering the inverted reality -- and forming a wonderful abstraction. it was perfect. ;)
all work protected by Creative Commons
@Yvonne S.: thanks Yvonne! :)
Michael Skorulski from Cigel, Slovakia
Wonderfully tranquil, Jaycee. And all the better for you have caused the ripple. A delightful story and photo.
23 Sep 2008 5:56am
@Michael Skorulski: Cheers Michael! Thanks much! :)
Ana Lúcia from Leiria, Portugal
The rhythm of reflections is great. The b/w works just fine.
23 Sep 2008 6:20am
Querques from Palleja, Spain
I think that your photos are very nice, but with your commentaries they improve a lot because, after reading your text one can imagine you walking round the lake. It's nice!!!
23 Sep 2008 6:49am
@Querques: Cheers mate! Thanks very much! :)
San G. from Encino, California, United States
The image is a beauty all by itself. The B&W gives it a starkness I think. Adding the story is a special treat though, giving the background for the ripples and the day. Thank you for all that. I have posted a number of photos from a trip to Alaska, and I'm glad you'e showing yours too, they're beautiful. After a bit I will be posting a few more of some of the animals we encountered. Will you continue to share more of your journey?
23 Sep 2008 7:06am
@San G.: Hello Sandy!! Thanks for the comment! :) Yes -- i probably have another 2 weeks of shots from this fall trip! How did you find Alaska? I just loved it! And i went the first time in the dead of winter -- so it was nice to go when it wasn't so cold! ;) I didn't see any animals though -- so look forward to seeing your animal shots! Thanks for stopping by!
Saeed from Tehran, Iran
very nice shot , interesting frame , i like the tones . . .
23 Sep 2008 7:13am
lisa v from Gawler, Australia
How could I forget the hot springs? glorious shots! I love the reflection of the trees here, the particular pattern they create in the water.
23 Sep 2008 7:27am
@lisa v: Kind thanks Lisa! :) It was just amazing to be there in the stillness...!
Linerberry from Sumner, Christchurch, New Zealand
WOWZER....look at that!!! Perfect ripples in the water, stunning tree line, splendid reflection and a wispy sky to match!!!
23 Sep 2008 8:04am
@Linerberry: Thanks kindly Liner! I finally kind of lucked out -- i never seem to have my camera and have wispy skies at the same time -- In Alaska there were wonderful feathered clouds every single day! I was in heaven!! :D
Maxine from Rangiora, New Zealand
COOL! the reflections are delightful because the ripples make them ragged at the edges. Stunning in B&W DJ !!
23 Sep 2008 8:06am
@Maxine: Thanks very much Max!! I should have waited just a tad longer -- there was some amazing distortion right after i put the camera away! Next time i will wait it out! ;)
beanow from Poland
Beautiful image in version B&W.
I like particullary the texture this water!
23 Sep 2008 8:31am
Kylie Greenan from Richmond, Australia
Hmmm and indeed this is perfect DJ, so tranquil, I can feel the stillness, so much beatuy here, wonderfully captured my friend!
23 Sep 2008 8:50am
@Kylie Greenan: Thanks so much Kylie! :) It was simply wonderful -- a timeless, warm and windless late autumn day... amazing!
grouser from Ludlow, United Kingdom
Excellent B/W treatment DJ. I heard the stone go in.
23 Sep 2008 10:24am
zOOm from Paris, France
That's scary to see you posting black and white images... this is one has a good compo... well balanced contrasts. And again b&w suits so well that kind of landscape.
23 Sep 2008 10:37am
@zOOm: Hehe -- Thanks Florence! :) Now that i have CS3 i need to push my boundaries a bit... i do love color and always will -- but the b/w genre is magically enticing, indeed! :D
Lorraine from Gatineau, Canada
Why you little Rebel, lol love the pebble effect ...looks like the smooth reflection was tickled a bit ;)
23 Sep 2008 10:40am
Fliss from Melbourne Beach, United States
Wow... you always write, that makes me want to be there... i too agree with Lorraine... you are a Rebel... have to make waves... a man after my own heart... hehehehe... love the shot....
23 Sep 2008 11:09am
antsje from leeuwarden, Netherlands
beautyful. Black and white these fhoto I like it.
23 Sep 2008 11:12am
Monique from Koh Samui, Thailand
Perfect colortoning, the reflection in the water is great as are the waves. Throwing stones were you?! ;)
23 Sep 2008 11:45am
@Monique: Hehe -- well, i kept it to one stone! :) although i also threw in an old stick -- but that wasn't as enjoyable! ;)
willow from Chelsea, United States
I love the contrasting textures of the smooth water with gentle ripples and the jagged treetops and the rough grasses in the foreground. As I was reading your narrative I had to laugh because I couldn't help thinking about how my sons can never resist the urge to toss a stone into a lake. There's just something so satisfying about that "kerplunck" noise, I guess.
23 Sep 2008 12:29pm
@willow: Thanks Willow! And yes -- there must be something to that thought! As young boy i could spend HOURS throwing rocks into ponds and lakes -- my arms would often ache afterwards -- yet so rewarding for some strange and wonderful reason! :)
António Pires from Lisbon, Portugal
Well done. The ripples created a not so usual image. Nice in b&w.
23 Sep 2008 1:00pm
bluechameleon from Vancouver, Canada
Oh, how I love this! The tones flow so nicely across the frame and the reflection varying as the ripples change from right to left. I wish I had taken this...it's perfect DJ. I'd frame and hang this one in an instant!
23 Sep 2008 1:06pm
@bluechameleon: Thanks heaps BC!! :D Coming from a magical master of the b/w genre that is an awesome compliment! And to tell you the truth, I had not thought of printing this -- but thanks to you i think i will get it printed and give it to someone as a present! Cheers for that!! :)
gbe from kansas city, United States
excellent detail, range of tones, composition...and b&w!
23 Sep 2008 1:57pm
@gbe: thanks kindly mate! i was thinking of you and BC when i posted this -- as the two of you are both magical b/w masters!! :) more to come!
baobab from Cambridge, United States
mesmeric - lovely abstract shot with great textures.
23 Sep 2008 1:58pm
marianne from Toulouse, from France, France
quel beau frisson sur l'eau ...
un très beau B&W !
many thanks for all your recent comments on my blog , dj !!!
23 Sep 2008 2:28pm
alex centrella from California, United States
wow, i love the bw, the ripples in the water make it , looks like a great place to throw a line and catch some fish.
23 Sep 2008 2:37pm
@alex centrella: thanks Alex! and yes -- the spot would have been just perfect for that! :)
dobbino from Cape Town, South Africa
Not just a pretty face! Very clever DJ - and you have a superb photo at the end of the exercise. The BW treatment works beautifully.
23 Sep 2008 2:46pm
@dobbino: Thanks Rob! I have always wanted a rippled water shot of my own! ;)
hugo poon from hong kong, Hong Kong
Yes, the ripples have made it perfect!!! Isn't this the beauty of life DJ... what you want may come or may not come, but when it comes, it comes surprisingly. Make it the object of pursuit, it always leads us on a wild-goose chase, and is never attained... Definitely my fav of the day! :-)
23 Sep 2008 3:41pm
@hugo poon: Thanks heaps Hugo! And i couldn't agree more! It is this wild goose 'chase' that i want my life to be... free, 'crazy', tumultuous, unplanned -- all in the name of discovery and surprise! Beautifully said!! Thanks again! :D
lucie from san francisco, United States
excellent black and white. beautiful tones and composition.
23 Sep 2008 3:48pm
@lucie: thanks much Lucie!! :)
Stephen Phillips from San Francisco, United States
darn, DJ - this is breathtaking. What a stark contrast to that winter image of green and steam of the lower waters.
23 Sep 2008 4:00pm
@Stephen Phillips: thanks much Stephen!! my 2 Alaskan experiences seem to reside in 2 different worlds entirely! i could believe they were not related in the least -- well, almost! ;)
Marion from Nanaimo, BC, Canada
Those ripples are fantastic. Very beautiful in b&w.
23 Sep 2008 4:13pm
Calusarus from St Sorlin en Valloire, France
Nice shot, and waves on the water are really beautiful.
23 Sep 2008 4:47pm
MaryP from Aberdeenshire, United Kingdom
I read your introduction to the image first, (I do so with all your images now) and instantly saw what you intended for us to see, that lovely abstract patterning created by the ripples. It is very striking in B/W but i would'nt mind seeing it in colour too.
23 Sep 2008 5:11pm
@MaryP: Hello and thanks Mary! OK you are on -- I will post the color version in a week's time! But please remind me in case i do forget! ;)
yiannis krikis from thessaloniki, Greece
very peaceful landscape - I like the framing and the tonal range
23 Sep 2008 5:32pm
@yiannis krikis: cheers Yiannis! thanks very much! :)
Johnnyanne from Layton, UT, United States
I like how you caught the ripples on the water. Good job.
23 Sep 2008 6:30pm
Rui from Leiria, Portugal
Tranquility that's what occurs me. Fantastic BW work. And those gentle ripples add an extra interest to the composition. Well done DJ
23 Sep 2008 6:40pm
Laurie from New Jersey, United States
Wow, there are so many wonderful things to see there. Amazing!
23 Sep 2008 6:56pm
Alun Lambert from cheshire, United Kingdom
very nice image, works really well in b/w
23 Sep 2008 7:44pm
jamesy from christchurch, New Zealand
Great image DJ but like Mary would like to see the colour version. Did you take any without the ripples?
23 Sep 2008 8:47pm
Ina from Krugersdorp, South Africa
Really special! Like the ripples in the water and the light is just perfect.
23 Sep 2008 9:44pm
Namaki from Bordeaux, France
the wrinkles are so regular and harmonious ... they had so much to the picture ! excellent in black and white too ! the focus is extra !
23 Sep 2008 9:54pm
Howard F. from South Pasadena, Calif., United States
Lovely black and white. This is so peaceful...
23 Sep 2008 10:18pm
Observing from West Cheshire, United Kingdom
Love the BW treatment, nice and crisp. And those ripples just go on forever.
23 Sep 2008 10:21pm
Iris from Aberdeenshire, United Kingdom
I love this image DJ. It is so peaceful. The movement of the water is amazing.
23 Sep 2008 11:56pm
Michael Rawluk from Williams Lake, BC, Canada
The rippling water is lovely. An all around lovely shot.
24 Sep 2008 12:08am
MaryB from Staffordshire, United Kingdom
Beautiful and tranquil, love the ripples in the water, wonderfully photographed dj :)
24 Sep 2008 12:27am
Cole from Chicago, United States
This is so beautiful and calm. Nice shot!
And thanks for the comments!
24 Sep 2008 12:44am
Pradeep from Chennai, India
Beautiful shot, the ripples take it to the next level, Congrats :)
24 Sep 2008 12:45am
jean-sebastien from St-joseph du lac, Canada
Those curves ! wow Nice shot there my friend !!!
24 Sep 2008 1:08am
Jeffster from Long Island, United States
Great image. Honestly speaking, I'm starting to enjoy your storytelling as much as your photos. "Skewering the inverted reality " -sounds like a phrase that Rod Serling of the Twilight Zone would use.
24 Sep 2008 1:58am
Nicholas from Shah Alam, Malaysia
Love the ripples. And the post processing is just perfect.
24 Sep 2008 2:18am
DarkElf from Perth, Australia
DJ - really good black and white composition with nice contrast! i love the water ripples - they add an extra special touch here!
24 Sep 2008 3:04am
Kenton from Calgary, Canada
Beautiful shot and the ripples just make it even more so.
24 Sep 2008 3:30am
Loretta from San Mateo, United States
great picture, i love the black and white. the reflextion off the water is so crisp.
24 Sep 2008 4:21am
Isao from isère, France
j'aime beaucoup : cadrage et traitement !!!
les reflets des sapins "en pointillés" sont trés graphiques, bien joué !
I love : framing and treatment !
reflections of trees "dotted" are very graphic, well done !
24 Sep 2008 9:01am
Thomas Griffioen from Rotterdam, Netherlands
Just like a lot of people here above, I agree this is a beautiful image. And yes, the ripples are making the differance. Congrats!
25 Sep 2008 12:30am
Twelvebit from Victoria, United States
I was going to ask if you tossed a rock, but you answered the question.
25 Sep 2008 4:05am
MadScientist from Düsseldorf, Germany
Perfect, indeed. Great image with wonderful (ly distorted) tranquility.
25 Sep 2008 6:39pm
Eric Rousset from Grasse, France
Like the water effect & reflections of trees .Good job bro !!
30 Sep 2008 6:20am
JJ from Jersey City, United States
beautiful landscape capture, gorgeous reflections
30 Sep 2008 2:48pm
Kenton from Calgary, Canada
Wow this is terrific and makes your compliment about mine mean even more. I'm going to have to try mine in B&W too.
8 Oct 2008 3:26am
Canon EOS REBEL XT
1/200 second
F/6.3
ISO 100
18 mm