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Cold Capped
Cold Capped
giantmike


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: 30 Seconds or More II (Advanced Editing VII*)
Camera: Canon EOS-50D
Lens: Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM
Location: Madison, WI
Date: Dec 31, 2012
Aperture: 22
ISO: 100
Shutter: 32
Date Uploaded: Dec 31, 2012

 My goodness, what luck! With the holidays I had a number of days off, and I went out shooting the morning each one of those. On this particular morning I was hoping to get a scene that would work well with the light layer of clouds moving across the sky, and the early morning light.

I have a variable ND filter that gives me about 6.5 stops, which was barely enough. At 32 seconds, I couldn't really get much more exposure time without starting to blow out the sky. I really need a graduated filter...

This particular spot is a favorite of mine, and has been featured in a few entires in the past. But this is the first time I shot it with a long exposure, and I really really like the results. The water here is constantly moving (which is why it's open), and normal exposures show that roughness. But this long exposure evened that movement out and made a glass like surface, which isn't what I was expecting. I was instead expecting to see a cloudy water surface, which is normally what you see with long exposures of water movement.

With some tweaks to clean it up, I then ran it through Topaz DeNoise and Topaz Adjust 5, which is where the magic happened to really make this image shine.

Statistics
Place: 8 out of 64
Avg (all users): 6.5612
Avg (commenters): 8.0000
Avg (participants): 6.2273
Avg (non-participants): 6.7158
Views since voting: 1471
Views during voting: 344
Votes: 139
Comments: 15
Favorites: 2 (view)

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AuthorThread
Sony DSLR-A580
Sony DT 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6 Aspherical ED
 01/12/2013 09:41:44 PM
I don't think you can attribute this to luck - it's a very fine, professional capture. The focus, light, clarity and exposure are right on and the scene is beautiful. Congratulations on the top ten, Mike. Very well deserved.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS R5 Mark II
Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0 L IS
 01/11/2013 09:42:37 AM
Beautiful shot. Congrats on the TT Mike.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Apple iPhone Xr
 01/11/2013 06:15:12 AM
My top pick. Congrats on the TT placement.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D750
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED
 01/11/2013 01:43:39 AM
Deserving of the top 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
Nikon D7000
Nikon AF-S DX 18-105 f/3.5-5.6 ED VR
 01/10/2013 11:42:57 PM
Beautiful shot!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D700
Sigma 12-24mm f/4.5-5.6 EX Aspherical DG HSM for Nikon
 01/08/2013 11:00:04 PM
Very nice, peaceful scene. Soothing colors.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-550D Rebel T2i
Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS
 01/08/2013 10:32:22 PM
beautifully shot! well done
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D800
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED
 01/06/2013 12:23:19 AM
This is so serene - the stillness of the water and the pastel colors are beautiful.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Olympus E-520
Vivitar MF Zoom 19-35mm f/3.5-4.5 Series 1 for Olympus
 01/05/2013 05:17:13 PM
Winter imagery is always difficult as trees are bare and contrasting color is hard to find. Plus, most photographers have trouble with making snow white rather than blue. This is a good example of how it should be done - lots of nice pleasing colors, the mood is peaceful and relaxing and the snow is white. Very nice image - I'd like to see it place in the top ten.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Sony Alpha a7 IV
Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM
 01/05/2013 03:16:23 PM
Beautiful and peaceful scene
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D500
Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II
 01/05/2013 11:51:26 AM
Absolutely gorgeous! A wonderful place captured in gorgeous detail and color. I'd really love to visit.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-5D Mark II
Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L II
 01/05/2013 10:37:21 AM
beautifully serene
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D7100
Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.8D
 01/05/2013 12:26:00 AM
One of my top rated shots. Colors are perfect
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D5000
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.8G
01/04/2013 08:06:24 AM
Well done I like the crystal clear water in the shadows of the rocks.
Very nice.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon Canon 1d x Mark II
Sigma 85mm f/1.4 FG HSM Art
 01/04/2013 12:56:21 AM
Looks like Mike again, wonderful, wonderful scene, love the water and the sky. 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
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