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As Pure as the Driven Snow

© Dolores Neilson

As Pure as the Driven Snow

Uploaded: January 07, 2003

Description

Canon G1-F:8, 1/640 per sec./ would you believe tripod used? Ha!

Comments

zcaley January 07, 2003

Nice simple clean image. You don't like the tripod? #18110

Dolores Neilson May 26, 2019

Greetings Caley!! Thank you!! It's not that I don't like a tripod (even though I find them clunky and bothersome), it's just that someone would wonder why I bothered using one at 1/640 shutter speed!!! It just wasn't necessary...but my camera on a tripod allowed me to warm up my hands inbetween shots.....DANG! IT WAS COLD!! Many thanks...I was aiming for simplicity of form and color here and I'm delighted that that what's you see! Happy day! #39240

Peter Anderson level-classic May 26, 2019

Nicely abstract and colorful. I have a feeling that a B&W version would be a keeper as well. #39243

Dolores Neilson May 26, 2019

Hi Peter! Thank you so much for your delightful and positive comment! A scene not likely seen in Florida, is it?

I did convert to grayscale to see the results but due to the fact there isn't any black, it didn't make a particularly strong image. Though I may submit a B&W version in the future because of it's simplicity.

Peter...I know that your days are as busy as anyone else's....THANK YOU for giving me your valuable time. Happy day! #39245

Peter Anderson level-classic May 26, 2019

Delores...no we don't get much snow here in Florida although...it will be down to 33 degrees tonight!!! I have my sweatshirt on AND long pants and socks. No sandals tonight. HA! Anyway...when you converted to black and white, did you play with the red levels? I am thinking that that top sky would almost turn black with some red level adjustments before turning it inot B&W and then perhaps a darken gradient filter applied to the sky. Just a thought. #39250

Dolores Neilson May 26, 2019

HI Peter...No, I didn't play with the red levels but I'll give it a try. You're right...that sky became very dark with the conversion...and was why it didn't appeal to me. However, I had not thought of a gradient filter...I think I'll go play now. Thank you...that information is helpful to me! #39253

Patricia A. Cale May 26, 2019

Good shot, Dolores. You even make snow look good! #39257

Dolores Neilson May 26, 2019

Hi Pat!! Thanks so much!! Well, I don't know if I made the snow look good (but thank you!! You're so kind!) , I know God provided me with a blue sky and the energy the image needed (in the form of gusty winds)! How sweet of you to take time to elevate my work!! Many, many thanks and have a good night. #39262

Carol Sherman May 26, 2019

Pat took the words out of my mouth.lol
You even make the snow look good. Nice abstract Dolores. #39273

Dolores Neilson May 26, 2019

Hi Carol!! Thank you!! I think snow IS one of the most magical in the weather spectrum. I love it's color and purity when freshly fallen...everything is coated white and pristine...and the crunch under your feet when you walk on it. Also it's lightness...I wanted to highlight that element too so I waited until a gusty day to shoot this.
You're immensely appreciated, Carol! Have a good night! #39276

Shelley Sanders May 26, 2019

Great exposure on the snow Dolores, like the wind driven patterns of texture. The action is a bonus! #39281

Dolores Neilson May 26, 2019

Hey there, doyen of fruit!! Thank you so much for commenting on my snow pic!! Bet Brennan (hope that's correct) would have a good time sledding here before it all melts! Thanks, Shelley...have a good night! #39284

Cheryl Meisel May 26, 2019

And that's pretty PURE lol. Pretty shot! Cheryl #39309

Donna R. Moratelli May 26, 2019

Hi Delores, Your a brave soul! It was bitterly cold here yesterday and it couldn't have been any warmer there than than it was here. I saw the same exact scene when I looked out of the window at about 8am but I was afraid to go out and shoot after reading all of the warnings of the new camera. Hours later after the winds died down I made an attempt to shoot and my hands were so cold that I couldn't even press the shutter button. I don't know how can take it!
Great shot. I love this. It's says exactly was yesterdays weather was all about in a very artistic way. The exposure couldn't be nicer.!! #39311

Carolyn M. Fletcher level-classic May 26, 2019

Wonderful job, Dolores. Just beautiful and simple...I love it. #39319

Dolores Neilson May 26, 2019

Hi Cheryl!! Thank you so much, dear one! I appreciate that you took time out of your busy morning for little ole me!!

Hi Donna!! I don't know if it's bravery or stupidity but yeah, I was out there! I didn't realize it was as bitterly cold in Jersey where you are!! It was very uncomfortable out shooting...but I had a vision and I wanted to materialize it while the sky was blue and there was wind. I just wish the darn pic was as sharp as before uploading! Thanks for what you said about the exposure...I appreciate your comments IMMENSELY!! Have a good day...though it's another cold day here again!

Hello Carolyn!! Is it as cold in OK as here?? For some reason, I thought you were in FL!! Senior moments are getting closer and closer together for me! Thank YOU for your lovely words on my snow pic! Especially about the simplicity...simplicity of form and color was my aim here.Have a super day and stay warm! #39360

Carolyn M. Fletcher level-classic May 26, 2019

VERY warm here..It's supposed to get to 70 today..They say about Ok. if you don't like the weather, wait a minute. It can change 50 degrees in a few hours here..very strange. In winter we may be all the way from the teens to the 60's all in a day or so. We had only one day of snow this year so far. Ours usually comes late, like in March, if we get any at all. So no photo ops here in wintertime..Grrrr.. #39363

May 26, 2019

just love it.. its really cool.. keep it up... #39370

Dolores Neilson May 26, 2019

Hi Carolyn...Warm?? What's that? Strange weather aberrations in OK...Hmmm!

Greetings Nadia!! It pleases me immensely that you like this!! Thank you for taking time out of your busy morning to tell me so...I appreciate the effort so much! Happy day! #39376

Lianne E. Cook May 26, 2019

what else can I add? waaaaaaaay Cool!! love the snake-lines in the snow :o) #39383

Sharon E. Lowe level-addict May 26, 2019

Beautiful! Can't add anything but had to comment. Just love this. If you do a greyscale conversion, try using curves to make the sky darker - just use the black eyedropper tool and see what happens. #39518

Dolores Neilson May 26, 2019

Greetings to you too, LIanne!! Thanks so very much!And congrats to you for your two finalists! Love them both!

Oh Sharon...When you can't add anything but you still take time to comment...that's HIGH praise for me! I appreciate the suggestion ....the problem I'm having is the sky is TOO dark...it looks black actually. It looks like a night shot! Yet, if I lighten the sky so it isn't so black...the lack of contrast between dark and light makes an unexciting pic. I GREATLY appreciate the comment and suggestion, Sharon. I'm learning from all of you!! #39524

Donna R. Moratelli May 26, 2019

Hi Delores, I'd like to elaborate on my feelings about this image.The exposure is beautiful and very dramatic especially with the contrast of the blowing snow against the sky.The color tone is perfect aginst the perfectly exposed snow.The texture is touchable but who would want to touch it an ruin the purity...

I think that if it were darkened it would look too fake and if it were lightened, it wouldn't show the blowing snow as well as it does and that's what makes this more beautiful than an ordinary snow scene. . I don't think that it would be half as nice any other way. It looks like a scenic that was shot in the Antartic. I can really feel the cold!.If your going to play around with the image, why not throw in a silloette of a penguin walking across the horizon.. Ha hahaha...
Good luck with this one. It's already one of my personal favorites of yours. #39572

zcaley May 26, 2019

What a great response you have gotten to this photo Delores. #39593

Gary H. Minish level-classic May 26, 2019

It looks all too familiar, Dolores! It's a good thing you had plenty of light for a fast shutter speed, cause I bet your cameras was shaking pretty hard! I just tried to do a long night exposure in conditions almost exactly like this and it was a miserable failure :-) #39598

Dolores Neilson May 26, 2019

Hi Donna!! I appreciate the time you have taken to highlight the elements that you feel make this image strong! I really appreciate the gift of your time. Thank you so much!!

I think I have confused you with my reply post to Sharon....as I didn't make reference to her greyscale conversion suggestion (as an alternative) earlier. I want to make clear that I like this color version just fine (in case you thought that that's what I was unhappy about)! I was searching for ways of converting into B&W and was bringing up the color challenges in that mode. When I convert to B&W, I get a black sky! #39604

Dolores Neilson May 26, 2019

Hi Caley!! About the response? Yes! I hope that's reflective of the interest the judges will have too! Thank for stopping by again!

Donna....I know you were joking about the penguin. It takes so much self control to keep images simple (for me)...I told myself that I would not add or include anything more in this image in order to keep it's stongest element..it's simplicity. I thought of adding all kinds of things..footsteps, a colorful object, tire tracks, etc, etc, etc. Then I realized that with another object, it wouldn't be simple anymore. But a penguin would really make this scene feel like an Antarctic shot for sure!

Greetings from Ct to Alaska, Gary! Yes, I know this is an all too familar scene for you! You actually came to mind when I was working on it. Funny thing is, this isn't an all too familiar scene for us here in CT!! We had a total snow accumulation of 3 inches last winter.....this year, we've had 4 snowstorms! And another 2 inch dusting this morning! My hands were shaking all right but they weren't holding the camera...they were in my pockets, in between setting the timer and shutter!
I won't forget the discomfort I felt doing this baby! Thanks GAry!! I appreciate that you stopped by...always a pleasure! #39606

Carol Engstrom level-classic May 26, 2019

You are very brave Dolores. I love this shot. Reminds me of growing up in Idaho--there was always blowing snow there in the winter. You've captured this perfectly--as you can see by all the positive responses. #39677

Gary H. Minish level-classic May 26, 2019

Dolores, Just so you'll know that Mother Nature isn't just angry with you guys ....in the last 10 days Valdez has gotten 10 ft of snow! 27 miles out of town on Thompson Pass it snowed 16.6 ft in the same time period! We finally got a break today but apparently more is on the way. I have spent an average of 3 hours per day shoveling and plowing driveways! Fortunately, having lived here all my life, I have a VERY strong back :-) #39706

Dolores Neilson May 26, 2019

Hi Carol! I don't know if I'm brave....I would need bravery shooting a wild lion or rattlesnack but I just needed to brave the elements here...toughen up a little bit. Thanks for YOUR positive comment! I'm collecting them right now!! Thank you!

Hi Gary! 10 ft? 16.6 ft? Oh my!! I'm assuming this is a record breaking snowfall record?? That's unbelievable! Watch your back and heart anyway!! It's going to be a LONNNNNG winter, isn't it?? I'm loving winter at my end but Mother Nature is pouring out her wrath on you! She can be pretty bitter! STay warm and have fun on that snowmobile! #39730

Cathy M. Gromball May 26, 2019

Great shot, Dolores! It gives the feeling of being there - I feel chilly just looking at it!

Cathy :) #40459

Dolores Neilson May 26, 2019

Thank you again, Cathy!! I had to wait until the weather was JUST RIGHT to take this! Blown skies would not have been the right time! I'm delighted you are "chilly" when you view it! I've done my job! Many thanks!! Aren't you tired of commenting? I'm starting to feel guilty...you've commented on each one!! #40517

Cathy M. Gromball May 26, 2019

Nope, not tired yet! I feel GUILTY when I miss commenting on all the great photos posted on this site!

Cathy :) #40527

Robert Pranagal May 26, 2019

This makes me chilled to the bone...
could you submit a fireplace image, too? #41452

Dolores Neilson May 26, 2019

Carol...Please don't feel guilty...there are only so many hours in a week we can spend here! The site is almost up to 4000 submissions!

Hi Robert!! Terrific! I'm delighted it makes you feel chilled to the bone! ;?)That's what it's supposed to do! I'm sure this is a common scene in Poland! We' ve had unseasonal snow amts and temps this year....I can't remember having had this much...it's down to about 7 inches on the ground now. Hoping you are warm and comfortable! #41456


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