Winter solstice
by Mark ~ December 21st, 2009. Filed under: Michigan, abstracts, art, macro, my woods, nature photography, processing.
Musical notes
It seems Winter has been with us in Michigan for well over a month now, despite its unofficial start today in this region of the world. I often wondered why can’t we have fall colors start a month early?! :-) On second thought, that would probably screw up a lot of photographers planning fall color trips around peak times. At least our days will start growing longer. My shooting this time of year seems to be split between working inside on rock patterns, (which I need to catch up on) and what I enjoy most of all in the winter – photographing ice patterns.
This winter I hope to return to that pursuit to expand my collection of ice pattern photos. The infinite varieties and patterns tend to offer limitless subject matter to explore. In this post earlier this year, I created a special gallery of one particular outing. The image in this post is from earlier this year and reminded me of the shapes and interaction of musical notes and waves of sound.
I added further processing to it using Topaz Adjust to enhance some of the local areas of contrast. Overall I am content with using this style I created for these patterns – I like the gritty nature to them that emphasizes the lines and shapes (almost haunting as I labeled them in the special gallery linked above).
December 21st, 2009 at
Mark, the ice patterns are wonderful and you seem to find such interesting ones. However, I’ll leave that to you. I think that I’ll instead go look for sand patterns! That said, however, ice doesn’t foul up your camera unless, of course, you drop it onto or into the ice!
Way up yonder in Michigan, somewhat too close to the Arctic Circle, you have plenty of opportunities to study ice.
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December 21st, 2009 at
Wonderful work, Mark. But, the older I get the more difficulty I have in dealing with the cold. A few years ago I did an early morning shoot when we had a hard frost. My hands hurt me and were almost useless when I got back, even to the point of not being able to unbuckle my backpack. I may be more a ‘fair-weather’ photographer. Please continue to shoot these images so I can enjoy them.
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December 21st, 2009 at
The older I get, the more fair weather I also become.
Thanks guys.
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December 21st, 2009 at
Those are some beautiful patterns Mark!
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December 21st, 2009 at
Attractive patterns and excellent comp – the Topaz treatment suits it.
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December 21st, 2009 at
The gallery is amazing… I love this collection. Such beautiful work!
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December 21st, 2009 at
I love the ice patterns – gotta get out & get some of my own! (Well, I have large ice patterns in a recent shot on my website, but I’m wanting to get in some macro work.)
I’m actually enjoying winter again thanks to photography – except for the shoveling parts, anyway… :^D
- Jack
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December 22nd, 2009 at
These surreal ice formations are very well captured!
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December 22nd, 2009 at
I also like the ice patterns. The winter finally struck us as well so it’s good opportunity to look for some. Thanks for inspiration!
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December 22nd, 2009 at
Beautiful pattern here and in your gallery.
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December 22nd, 2009 at
Nice Mark, for some reason my immediate reaction was that it looked like a Picasso.
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December 22nd, 2009 at
[...] get cold. Since I can’t work too long in the cold, I surf the net to enjoy images of ice like these by Mark Graf. Please check out his gallery of ice patterns. Anyway, back to my original question, [...]
December 23rd, 2009 at
It’s always interesting to me to read how a photographers surroundings shape their creative thinking. San Francisco doesn’t offer much variation in weather… at least in the sense of the 4 seasons. To experience that you have to venture off some where. I’m always impressed with your rock & ice photos. This particular image has great lines and has a certain depth/texture to it that I like. Always inspiring Mark.
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December 23rd, 2009 at
This is beautiful Mark, I love the patterns and contrasts in this, as cold as it has been here I better get out find some ice it shouldn’t be a problem !!
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December 25th, 2009 at
This is really artistic Mark. I like it!
Merry Christmas!
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December 25th, 2009 at
A wonderful photograph, Mark.
Nice to hear we share some interests, even if we live far away from eachother.
Lately, I`ve been submerged in that kind of photography as well and before the snow covered it all I had a fantastic time working with ice…for hours and hours in stretch. The Zen of photography
I love how you find those captivating patterns in ice.
Looking forwad to see more.
Wish you Merry Christmas, peace and happiness.
Best wishes
Seung Kye
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December 25th, 2009 at
Just stunning. I can hear & feel that kind of ice breaking under my feet. Happy holidays to you & yours. My best for 2010!
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December 25th, 2009 at
Oh, these patterns are absolutely wonderful, like nothing else I have seen in nature. Beautiful line play and as you titled it, very musical. Beautiful work of yours.
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December 28th, 2009 at
Sorry folks, a little behind in responding to your comments due to being sick and pretty much offline for the last few days. Thank you very much.
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December 28th, 2009 at
Hope you’re feeling better, Mark!
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December 30th, 2009 at
Loved your gallery of ice images, Mark. We haven’t yet had a long enough stretch of freezing temps here in southeast Ohio to bring about ice that lasts more than a few days. The forecast is showing us in the deep freeze for the foreseeable future, though, so hopefully I’ll be able to try some ice images of my own very soon. It’s such a primal subject to shoot.
Take care, and best wishes for the New Year!
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December 30th, 2009 at
Thank you Heather and Jack.
Heather, good luck on those ice images, hopefully you will post some.
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