bare minimum of winter, a photo from Massachusetts, Northeast

Photographer's Note

if you ask me, winter should be kept to a minimum. few days of pure white snow, long shadows, pale sky and crisp air - and then back to sun and +20C.

about the photo: taken around 3PM in the afternoon, when the light was already low and sky was slowly turning into pale yellow for sunset. we were exploring narrow backroads of Massachusetts near Connecticut river in search of The Perfect Winter Photo (yes, we've been looking too much at Barbara's photos and wanted some of our own) when we came upon this scene near one of the farms. I had to fight a herd of turkeys to get this shot, the silly birds kept trying to fly and ended up as ugly blurrs right in the middle of the image.

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RAW, ISO 200, 52mm focal length, spot metering.

bostankorkulugu, BennyV, delkoo, Telo, baba_flies, flashpoint, eversmile, burGu, zmey, sam224, gunbud, Bartleby, Floydian, xavshot, Colombiana, cherryripe, ricochet, adores, Waylim, jorgi, fulvio52, devimeuxbe, pasternak, npecanhuk, fabio_ts, Bluejeans, Dpbours, AiresSantos, hispic, patdeph, Pascale, chrisnet, mphotographies, BurhanettinMasa, belido, danos trouve(nt) cette note utile

Critiques | Translate

yquem46 (38752) 2009-01-06 4:44

Well done, Kristine, nice sky with a minimalist band of snow on the ground and a couple of trees for the perspective
bravo
Patrick
PS you'll find a similar approach in my galley, a picture entitled "Serengeti"

bostankorkulugu (42832) 2009-01-06 4:47

23 warriors on their horses are lined atop a hill... this is just superb kristine... like a scene from one of those period movies... like from braveheart may be...
...but what happened to the 24th one on the right?... (kicked out by kristaps??? >:P...)

a first class shot i think, my compliments...

korkut

[2] +

BennyV (32570) 2009-01-06 4:50

Hello Krstine,

I agree completely with your thoughts on keeping winter to a strict minimum...but it does make for some great pictures. Lovely geometrical scenery with brilliantly nuanced colours. Wonderful shot!

Benny

meltemi (0) 2009-01-06 4:52

Hello Kristine,
So simple but yet so elegant. Here you have it, the elements of good composition: patterns, clearly defined lines, good details and clarity. Love the minimalistic approach. The light and the colours are splendid. An extremely pleasant scene.
All the best.
Stella

lucianm (0) 2009-01-06 4:54

superb, simple composition, great colours !!

sevy (58) 2009-01-06 5:05

Hello Kristine,

From my side, practicing a lot ski, winter is never long enough and there is never enough snow. But I can understand your thinking :-)
Funny this little piece of snowy land with its aligned trees. This regular pattern is in full opposition with the curves of the clouds which are the real subject of the photo.
A nice winter photo.

Yves.

delkoo (68) 2009-01-06 5:12

hi kristine
Lovely light and colors throughout the picture. I also praise the range of trees , looking like characters.

stunning
didier

Telo (307) 2009-01-06 5:18 [Comment]

Show Comment

baba_flies (8829) 2009-01-06 5:25

Oh dear, oh my ... fighting turkey herds (my friend in VT feeds them in winter ... LOL) ... What a wonderful wonderful post, full of winter, minimal held, totally your style - AND it fits my taste more than anything else. What a great sky, what a big sky, and as you say, winter photos should have little in it, I don't know why but I feel the same. Cute the "tiny" trees and how you have them low against the sky. I guess I said that before :))) but I love your special "treatment" working on your picture(s), it has this "shine" that I find so attractive. Excellent, it is my turn to make it to my favorite :))) Happy day, more later ... Barbara (I have to work ...)

PS. I hope you received the picture meanwhile, otherwise please tell me so I can have another upload try.

chiquito (56) 2009-01-06 5:46

stunning view, Kristine!
The simplicity of winter :) I love the shape of the clouds and the colours!
great work!
cheers
ToM

Greg1949 (9011) 2009-01-06 6:25

Fine shot Kristine, I like the simplicity of it, it speaks loudly of the perfect winter you describe. Fine color and wonderful detail as always.

Greg

flashpoint (4000) 2009-01-06 7:02

the battle against turkeys is worth
to get a catch so special.....
compliments Kristine and
best wishes sERGIO

eversmile (11636) 2009-01-06 7:16

Hi Kristine!

That's a striking composition, minimalist and cheeky. I like it very much. And the colors are, as often in your shots, another greatly convincing element. Your little anecdote made me smile... I imagine you clapping and running to frighten the turkeys... haha! Great job!
Regards
Marine

MarianneS (15338) 2009-01-06 7:32

Hello Kristine,
Superb! A minimalistic composition for a great result.
The sky was wonderful!
It was worth fighting with the turkeys (I would like to see that :-)
Regards,
Marianne

burGu (4840) 2009-01-06 7:36

I wish there were such a pure white snow in my city for few days to enjoy it, for snowballs and snowmen, to take photos of it...
Sky looks wonderful, very open with ever blue and creamy clouds... Trees on a single row and ever white snow covering the ground, simple yet very eye catching.
Congrats Kristine,
Burcu

sam224 (6215) 2009-01-06 8:08

The simplicity of this shot is very attractive: contrast and light are excellent as well as the sharpness. I love the nuances of colour on the clouds.
Very well done.

zmey (7335) 2009-01-06 8:09

neat, and wintry! i like that 'knocked out' tree (spot) on the right. that little asymmetry is what makes this composition for me.

a nice one!

hugs
k.

gunbud (34066) 2009-01-06 8:16

Hi Kristine,
The light here is truly marvelous giving the wispy clouds a yellowish hue that looks splendid agains the deep blue winter sky.
The evenly spaced line of evergreen trees makes a very fetching lead-in to this subperb winter image.
Regards, Tom

Wandering_Dan (3449) 2009-01-06 9:44

Hi, Kristine -

Great composition, especially in choosing to have the sky be so dominant. I don't quite understand the foreground shadow line, though.

One of the (many) reasons I live in San Francisco is that we don't believe in winter here. We think 50 (Farenheit) is freezing. (On the other hand, we also think 70 is a heat wave. Go figure.)

Best,
Dan

Bartleby (13552) 2009-01-06 9:54

Hi Kristine,
I live this nature/graphic shot. The colors in the sky are great and this row of trees brings good rhythm. Keep on fighting the turkeys!

Philippe

tomescuc (3291) 2009-01-06 10:06

Excellent composition with those lined up trees under the gigantic sky. And very good compositional touch of leaving the space on the right empty.
cheers,
Cristian

Floydian (30970) 2009-01-06 11:24

Dear Kristine,

Any reason for impressing me when uploading these kind of images? ;-)
I could write lines after lines why i like such images. Blue with superb clouds with a touch of warmth just above the tree line....couldn't get any better than this. The trees, how minimalistic, they stand perfect. What a spot, what a view and most of all, how great exposed and composed..!!!
Okay, because you want to impress me i say it once again....You Are Good..!!! ;-)))

You make it hard on me to produce something better than this, i have to dig deep, but i think i don't have an image what looks so beautiful as this one ;-)

Thank you,

Henk

xavshot (69835) 2009-01-06 11:47

Bonsoir Kristine
une photo que j'apprécie par sa simplicité. C'est bien réalisé et le grpahisme me plait beaucoup. Bravo.
Xavier

devimeuxbe (58557) 2009-01-06 12:41

Hi Kristine
wonderfull landscape with the colors in the sky and with the trees on the top of the hill. The graphisme is perfect
really excellent
Bertrand

Colombiana (2957) 2009-01-06 13:01

Hi Kristine,

Lovely bare minimum; simple, yet full of charm and good taste :) The little lined up pines at the bottom make a wonderful minimalistic composition. Here in Miami, I never know when it is winter, or summer. Yesterday was so hot that it felt like August minus the humidity.
Best wishes to you and yours and happy 2009! :)
Maryori

cherryripe (21033) 2009-01-06 13:07

Hi Kristine
I agree with you 100% about winter. Actually I would like to start by getting back to positive temperatures. The simple composition and such a low horizon are so effective. The trees are strong enough to draw the eye and the cloudy sky is stunning.
Regards
Nikki

gneufeld (15890) 2009-01-06 13:32

Hi Kristine,
More clouds, and what a treat! And I like how you dedicated most of the image to the sky, and yet that little band of land across the bottom is very compelling. Good idea presented very well. TFS. Gerald

ricochet (9716) 2009-01-06 14:16

Bonjour Kristine
Je te présente mes meilleurs photographiques pour cette nouvelle année!
Une merveille cette compositionavec toujours ce travail sur la lumière que tu as su parfaitement capter et j'adore la composition très réussie, bravo à toi c'est unrégal
Amicalement
Eric

jonathan_hart (21276) 2009-01-06 14:45

nice repetition and a big area for a beautiful sky, well done minimalistic composition
jc

jmcl (14535) 2009-01-06 15:23

HI Kristine

I love this .. beautiful graphic feel of that bit of Earth and tree .. beautiful sky with stunning tone and texture .. striking image .. tremendous minimalism and beauty .. well seen .. wonderfully done .. as crisp and clean as winter .. take care, John

adores (46979) 2009-01-06 16:58

Hi Kristine!
A simple but really great composition! The row of trees and then that huge and fabulous blue sky! Very good work, the way you framed it, the colours, the light.
Did the turkeys get really upset with you:)?

Waylim (25436) 2009-01-06 21:08

Kristine,
Are these miniature Christmas trees you left here equaly distributed for this shot, when come trash day these will all be gone? :) Wow, I love it, with huge sky and beautiful colors of nice blue and soft clouds, with a touch of warm gold tone at the horizon. and snowy plain with long shadow constrasting the sky so well. Simply lovely. Now I feel like I should find a place with snow to for some photo shoot. Thanks
Way

jorgi (3810) 2009-01-07 0:01

Hi Kristine,

this is so wonderful.
I won't even try to insult you with some big words and technicallities about this one.
I just like it so much. Something so poetic about it...
And now it will be hunting me on my every photosession.
Still, there is sth so outrageous in it..down there...below...there is a shadow on the snow...yes...that's the one and it is ...blue!?! :PPP

My compliments,
Jeri

baclama (19188) 2009-01-07 1:32

bonjour,
minimaliste, presque irréel
cette haie d'arbres si bien eclairés, le ciel merveilleux, le cadrage si judicieuseument choisi...
grande reussite pour cette photo exceptionnelle!
vero

Silverkey (1435) 2009-01-07 4:18

Hi Kristine
Wonderful and very original picture
Usually a sky should not take so much place, but it is so beautiful in this picture...
COngratulation
Mickaël

Gerrit (59968) 2009-01-07 5:58

Hi Kristine,
just my idea of the ideal winter,
Fantastic photo though,
Regards, Gerrit

bracasha75 (24591) 2009-01-07 8:39

Helo Kristine
This is F E N O M E N A L work and what i cane say her
Everithing is one place and many things must came thogeter to have a chance ,you have use your chance,to picturing scene like this
GREAT WORK
TFS
Cheers,Braca

Merline (0) 2009-01-07 10:21

Oh.
I feel transported right away. I will not bore you with many words, as all have been said above:-). A superb composition, where the "less is more" is fully brought out. The sky is to die for. Nature in all its magnificence, I can feel the emotion here very strongly. My compliments, simply, dear Kristine.

Warm regards
Michèle

jimkilgallon (0) 2009-01-07 11:52

Simple and very very beautiful, the colours are gorgeous with sublime wispy cloud formations. All the best 2009.
Regards
Jim

fulvio52 (8314) 2009-01-07 12:45

Hi, Kristine.
Wonderful light and colors, absolutely minimal and absolutely artistic. You definitely need a keen eye for this kind of compositions, this is NO luck. I love shoot-and-go, screw tripods and screw wasting hours on waiting for something that often never happens or doesn't even exist. Shoot-and-go is what makes a picture real and alive in my own eyes, everything else (with a few notable exceptions, like Ansel Adams or Henk, to name a couple) often looks like complete pre-fab to me... But that's me, of course. GREAT effort! And thanks for your recent visit to my latest Monument Valley post, much appreciated. HAPPY NEW YEAR, dear Kristine! Have a wonderful day, see ya soon. HUGS,
Fulvio.

pasternak (15185) 2009-01-08 5:36

Fantastic work, Kristine, you use empty spaces to a maximum here. The sky is so beautifully coloured, but to make a reductio ad absurdum version I tried this in BW, just for fun... Not meant as an improvement, of course, probably I'm just in the wrong mood today :)

Cheers
A

[workshop] [compare]

npecanhuk (79329) 2009-01-08 6:05

Hello Kristine!
Again, the sky plays an important role in this picture! It's fantastic! However, the bottom part of this photo, although small, is excellent too and adds lots of interest and beauty to the whole image! Well seen, well thought and done!
TFS - Congratulations!
Warmest regards,
Neyvan

marietom (34611) 2009-01-08 9:49

hello Kristine,

Wonderful minimalistic composition, with so beautiful colors. Bravo !!!
Bonne soirée
Marie

fabio_ts (13696) 2009-01-08 23:49

OK!.... STANDING OVATION!!!!!
no more to say... :o)
all my compliments Kristine, a proof of pure talent.

have a great weekend,
Fabio.

Bluejeans (64251) 2009-01-09 8:12

Ola Kristine ,
Linda foto com este primeiro plano bem curto mas magnifico com estas árvores a espetar o céu , ficou fantástico o céu em grande , boa luz, bom enquadramento da foto , parabéns!!
Um abraço Gonçalo

clio (27961) 2009-01-09 12:50

Bonjour Kristine,
Fantastic and very artistic centring: the snow is very finely evoked by the shadow and the light, the sky is immense and fantastic and the barrier of trees reminds us that the man exists and models the earth.
A great shot (one more time)!
I wish you a very happy new year full of colors and meetings!
Diane

Dpbours (222) 2009-01-11 12:14

Hello Kristine,

The bare minimum for a winter landscape for sure. With such a landscape shots, why would you linger for warmer weather??!! :-)

Greetings, Dennis

Angshu (56760) 2009-01-11 19:45

Hello Kristine
Less is more & what a delight to watch. Everything's so perfect...the low horizon, the light & shadows, the neat line of trees (could not be straighter from this POV...almost makes me think you planted them ;-)), the ample sky & the superb clouds. An absolutely fabulous work for which you deserve a standing ovation!!
Regards
Angshu
PS : I wanted to pull down my mobile phone shot after I saw this...the difference in quality between that & this shot is like an ocean…and to think you critiqued that as well?!!

AiresSantos (56155) 2009-01-13 23:38

Hi Kristine
As simple as wonderful this picture. Magnificent POV, very well framed and done.
Minimalist composition with great colours
Thanks
Aires

Leonie (8809) 2009-01-14 9:01

Hi Kristine,
I love this picture! The composition and colours are really beautiful! Congratulations!

Léonie

hispic (9658) 2009-01-14 19:38

Hi Kristine,
Superb image! elegant clouds in the crisp sky and cute trees in a row on the snow, it's perfectly composed with superlative image quality.
Regards, Hisashi

patdeph (35750) 2009-01-16 3:29

hello Kristine
I didn't see this one,this is a superb minimalist photo!I like the very low horizon with this line of regularly spaced trees and the long shadow in the snow!The sky is wonderful!Nothing to say,it's superbly composed,a masterpiece!
Regards
Pascale

aadilj (18102) 2009-01-17 1:35

Hey kristine...this one is more lethal than a gun!!! It just killed me with its impact and beauty!!! There are no words to describe the poetic beauty of this fascinating composition

pboehringer (770) 2009-01-24 17:42

Kristine,
WOW, looking through your most recent posts shows such a great improvement of your photography compared to your intial posts. I'm extremely inmpressed to say the least. The composition, colors light of this one here are a real delight. I wish this could be mine!!!
Peter

Dragut (14) 2009-01-26 8:21

Hi Kristine

Very nice shot, graphic colored. So nice. Your pseudo Avene is fun.. in my language this mean future.....

Pascale (10456) 2009-01-27 11:42

Bonsoir Kristine
une merveille cette photo ,j'adore ce minimalisme et le magnifique ciel superbement mis en valeur .Une vraie réussite .Bravo ,un cliché que j'aurais aimé faire .
Amitiés
pascale

chrisnet (23062) 2009-01-27 11:51

Hello Kristine,
Very well composed, good framing, amazing sky and colors, excellent work!
Regards
Christian

IvarsU (2505) 2009-02-03 2:37

Sardzē par skaistumu...

jmdias (102822) 2009-02-03 5:51

kristine

I liked the softness of these clouds in the blue sky, their fragility is interesting and produced a nice contrast with the line of trees in the lower are, specially with that stripo in blue color around. very ellegant compo. well done

hugs

jorge

smarcell (19965) 2009-02-09 5:30

This is a great composition. Very minimalistic, a very graphic shot.
Regards Stefano

mphotographies (1976) 2009-02-10 23:28

Hey Kristine,

I couldn't agree more with Henk, this images does impress! Henk is one hell of a talented guy and can't believe what he's seeing in you Kristine! Keep it up ;)

The unique placement of the elements around the frame makes it appealing. Favouring the sky gets the minimum of it all with the minimalist of space given in the horizon and the perfectly placed foreground that seems staged with the 'graphic' alignment of pine tress and snow shadows just being there. Impressive indeed!

Cheers!

Jie

guitianmiranda (22) 2009-02-28 14:57

Interesting composition of this 80% sky picture, where the little 20% and its trees makes the difference.

Best regards Kristine.

brevbrev14 (140) 2009-03-02 2:59

Ciao Kristine, great image!
i love the crop you have choosen here
great light too
congrats!
ciao
Valeria

euryan (8442) 2009-03-19 22:09

This just needs two more points :) I don't have any words of critique other than WELL DONE!

Poet (354) 2009-03-22 9:00

A perfect minimal image !!

brandstaetter (15915) 2009-04-16 7:14

Hi Kristine,
I missed this one...
not being photographer maybe most people would drive by..
I love this kind of minimalism.
Compliments, Christian

dkeus31 (27739) 2009-06-30 5:37

Hi Kristine
I missed this one, hopefully saw it somewhere else ;-)
great sky, nice alignement of trees, even uncomplete in order to have some strong catching point also
take care
didier

abulafia (4900) 2009-07-02 15:52

A beautiful shot Kristine

Very simple, but also very effective.
Sitting here in the hot summer it looks refreshingly cold:)

Great stuff
Harry

belido (19934) 2009-12-09 5:08

Hi Kristine,

I don't know where I was when you posted this photo. It's one of those compositions with several visits and it's simple to know why: an excellent example of a well executed minimalism. The way you composed, reserving most of the space for the beautiful sky and the dancing clouds, and the bottom for the well aligned trees. An image that must be used as reference. Excellent!
Regards,
Carlos

danos (110407) 2009-12-18 5:53

Ola Carlos,
what a simple scenery but at the same time a splendid one for the presentation.Great your idea to put this line of tiny cypress in front of this marvellous and colourful sky.This scene tell me how tiny we are in front of the Universe.

Regards,Danos

kai (422) 2010-02-01 20:28

vary beautiful composition and colors ^ ^

smash2707 (3320) 2010-04-16 19:42

I'm not usually a fan of landscapes, but yours are absolutely amazing. I love how the small trees look almost insignificant when compared to the huge sky