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Mississippi reflection

© Peter W. Marks

Mississippi reflection

Uploaded: October 05, 2010

Description

Exif: F Number: 5.6, Exposure Bias Value: 0.00, ExposureTime: 10/8000 seconds, Flash: did not fire, compulsory flash mode, ISO: 400, White balance: Auto white balance, FocalLength: 19.10 mm, Model: C4100Z,C4000Z

Comments

Jeff E Jensen October 05, 2010

Well, Pete, you have done a great job with the monthly challenge. I love the simplicity of the composition and the colors. I'm torn on the bit of weeds in the foreground. One side of me says it should go, the other side of me says this is Pete's image and he's not going to change it because that wasn't how it was. #1314961

Peter W. Marks October 06, 2010

I did think about the weeds Jeff, both when I made the shot and when considering a crop. My final mindset was that I took this in winter and with there being no leaves left, Nature provided her own mono-tone for pole, water and weed thus focussing my attention on just an insignificant part of a this mighty river.
This could have been in the pond in the meadow just beyond our property line but it wasn't, and as Jeff intimated, it wasn't but this is 'how it was' for me. Thanks Jeff. #8950732

Michael Kelly level-deluxe October 06, 2010

Very cool reflection shot Peter and certainly fits the criteria for the challenge.

I also would clone the weeds out as it would be very easy and they detract from the subject. #8951619

Teresa H. Hunt October 06, 2010

Peter, I love this shot. The simplicity and the reflection really make the shot. My first inclination was the weeds are a distraction. But then I thought about the crop. I think if you take off some of the top, make this more of a pano . . . the post and it's reflection would be more of a focal point and then the weeds are not a problem. :) #8951943

Aimee C. Eisaman October 06, 2010

Okay so I'm the only one that likes the weeds and thinks they add something to the shot. They are like the garnish! LOL :~) I take it this is an old shot since you mentioned winter? #8952372

Peter W. Marks October 06, 2010

Thank you Mike,Teresa and Aimee.
The weed stays!! lol. As I mentioned above, it was not something that I just overlooked; it was left intentionally. I am not pretending they have some deep meaning, it was just that as I sat on the riverbank looking out across the calm, wide expanse of water I was thinking that the river started out more than 1000 miles north in Minnesota and flowed into the Gulf of Mexico nearly 1000 miles to the south but here for a few moments of time was a semi- submerged tree branch, some now bare weeds and me. Nothing permanent about any of us, but here we were.
I hope you will see my friends that photos are not for me just recordings of images, they are records of thoughts and feelings. If the photo has been made by me then they are my own thoughts and if it is someone else,s image then they are what my imagination makes of them and may be unconnected with the reality the photographer saw.

(Yes Aimee, this was a last winter shot)
#8952469

Debbie E. Payne October 07, 2010

Pete -- I'm with Aimee -- Keep the weeds! I think it would just be too stark without them. I'd like to see the pano shot. I think that would be very cool. #8953460

Teresa H. Hunt October 07, 2010

I think you should keep the weeds too.

Peter, knowing how much you love info I thought I'd tell you . . . the headwaters of the Mississippi is actually a small lake. Lake Itasca is one of my favorite memories from living in Minnesota. During my week at summer camp we'd take one day and go see Lake Itasca. I've also got pictures from a family trip there. I remember marveling at how such a mighty river would come from such a small lake. :) #8953769

Peter W. Marks October 07, 2010

Thank you Debbie and thank you Teresa for all the info which immediately had me Googling and I shall be winning another Trivial Pursuit if they have geography questions. I also tried Google Earth satellite pictures but the image isn't very distinctive. You are right, it's small! #8953808

Teresa H. Hunt October 07, 2010

It's a really unimpressive spot. I remember walking across the spot where it moves from lake to river . . . it's not even ankle deep #8954294

Dale Hardin October 07, 2010

Sorry I'm late. Well Peter, this is one time I have to agree with you. The only way the weeds could go was if the stones in the water were more dominant so they could fill the foreground.

But that's just a photographic consideration and not your personal memory. It's good you can place things in images so you can remember where your were. And since you posted the shot I have to assume you found your car later also. #8954414

Peter W. Marks October 08, 2010

Oh Dale, you know our ancient ways so very well. After I had wandered along the river bank for a mile or so I had totally forgotten where my truck was parked but thanks to the wonders of digital and it's instant playback I scrolled through the images and found the one with the weeds and that reminded me where it was parked. :0)
Oh yeh; I am grateful for you agreeing with me even just the one time! #8954742

Susan M. Reynolds level-addict October 15, 2010

I'm making my way slowly back to reality and way too late into the game to say yes, I like the version of "Hogarth's line of beauty in the "S" curve" of a mere weed or no it needs to go, but you know how I tend to ramble in the 'wee-sma' hours of the morning when I cannot sleep...so here goes!
To quote Peter, "...but here for a few moments of time was a semi-submerged tree branch, some now bare weeds and me. Nothing permanent about any of us, but here we were." This simple yet profound statement put a whole new light on whether that little weed goes or stays for me.
It stays...I'm all about moments of time, not necessarily "S" curves, but what is captured in a moment of time and so for me with nothing in life permanent but death and taxes...let this little weed remain in its "Moment Of Time".
#8967586

Susan M. Reynolds level-addict October 15, 2010

How did I forget to comment on your refection of the branch??? Love it's simplicity and the monotone coloring. Think you nailed the theme this month and I need to get my camera out of the bag once again...Haven't taken a photo since my son's BD 9/28... #8967587

Peter W. Marks October 15, 2010

My weed, the Mississippi and I all thank you Susan.
It matters to me that folk can understand what my intentions are in making an image or making a statement even if they do not agree on its merit.
We are on the same page here Susan. #8967723

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