Not the usual stuff, but a winter beauty that reminds me of Christmas lights on outdoor trees. The remaining leaves are always striking as you drive by the bare forests and white backgrounds filled with snow.

I have added a second image called "Snow shadows." Love the contours and play of light on the "snowy linen land." Quotes from the Don McLean song "Vincent."

Couldn't resist a few more, for the creative souls out there.

Edit: one more, deliberately increased contrast and retained blueness from shadow area to accentuate the snow and the power of the "Phoenix," well kind of.

JMR

[Ash]

Spectacular JMR. Particularly the texture and smooth curves in #2 and the striking colour and contrasting colours in #4. It goes against the old advice you once told me - to avoid having the sky in the impressionisms - but here its intended inclusion works very well.

[JMR]

Quite right Ash. I did say that and it still holds true for most such shots. If the white's did not balance and add to the overall look of the image, I never would have posted it. This was fortuitous, inasmuch, as I never expected the whites to balance. Thanks for the comments!

JMR

[Sailor]

Hey JMR. I really like the snow shot - the texture and shadows occasionally punctuated with the sparkles scattered throughout.

The 4th shot really knocks me out, although I can't tell you why - it just . . . . . works for me.

Jer

[sureshgvv]

Awesome shots JMR!!!

[cwhans]

#2 is my favorite. There is something about rolling snow that if captured correctly is mesmerizing.

[PentX Girl]

No surprise...a stunning winter series! Stirred my creative soul and I'm not even creative

[Rense]

Awesome JMR, spectacular as Ash said.
Would like to try this myself too, but
once in the field, I forget.... Don't even know
how to do it....

[the swede]

Good work, and very creative!

Awesome JMR, spectacular as Ash said.
Would like to try this myself too, but
once in the field, I forget.... Don't even know
how to do it....

You could use a tripod in a way it wasnt supposed to , or handheld....

[Rense]

You could use a tripod in a way it wasnt supposed to , or handheld....

So...it's just panned vertically? I shouldn't screw the tripod too tightly and let it lower itself ?

[JMR]

Good work, and very creative!



You could use a tripod in a way it wasnt supposed to , or handheld....

So...it's just panned vertically? I shouldn't screw the tripod too tightly and let it lower itself ?

Awesome JMR, spectacular as Ash said.
Would like to try this myself too, but
once in the field, I forget.... Don't even know
how to do it....

Yes, you two funny guys, it is a pan shot Free hand this time. but for best results, use a tripod with a tilt-pan head or ball socket head for ease of vertical movement. Use about 1/15 or slower shutter speed and f11 or smaller. Take lots of shots because this is experimental in nature. Use slow but steady movements, no jerky or sudden movements, as this produces unwanted breaks in the effects. Fast if you want a different and more washed out effect.

The best thing that ever happened to me re my tripod, was the invention of the new quick releases, for when you want to quickly move from tripod to freehand and vice-versa.

JMR

[Rense]

Thanks JMR, this helps!
Sorry being funny, it's burried somewhere deep inside, and sometimes (or too often, according to those knowing me better) it pops up....

[JMR]

No surprise...a stunning winter series! Stirred my creative soul and I'm not even creative

Don't bet on it. Even learning how to take simple everyday photos is being creative, so keep at it. Thanks for the comments.

#2 is my favorite. There is something about rolling snow that if captured correctly is mesmerizing.

Thanks. And I think you are right. Maybe its the mysteriousness of the way the light gives way to shadows.

Awesome shots JMR!!!

Thanks.

Hey JMR. I really like the snow shot - the texture and shadows occasionally punctuated with the sparkles scattered throughout.

The 4th shot really knocks me out, although I can't tell you why - it just . . . . . works for me.

Jer

Many thanks Jer.

[JMR]

Added one more; deliberately increased contrast and retained blueness from shadow area to accentuate the snow and the power of the bird-like shape. It certainly seems to have the symbolic quality of Phoenix-like bird's head anyway.

JMR

[volley]

Very different from the usual shots, excellent!