We are almost to the equinox, and that means that the sun is higher and sets later. At this time of year, if we have the right snow conditions, there is what I call ‘long light’; long clear shadows are cast across the snow by the setting sun. We had those conditions today and I grabbed my big Nikon and tried to record them. It has not worked well – the photos are dull compared to the visuals in my memory. I am going to post them anyway – a pale ghost of what I wanted. The turkeys in shot 3 did not intend to photobomb – they come by every afternoon as JG puts out a snack for them and the deer.
As for the ‘long light’, the quote is from a poem by Tennyson. It is a fine and opulent stanza, typical of him. Rather like getting a bouquet of flowers with roses and chrysanthemums and carnations all bunched together. Beautiful in its own way.
The 14-15 was a very long night for me but not in this sense. Last night was much better. I got 7 hours and perhaps a wee bit more. The pics are fine. Some might have required a wee bit more exposure. Snow pics often come out a little dull unless we over-expose a bit. But yours look pretty authentic to me.
ReplyDeleteA good sleep is a fine thing!
DeleteI did play with the exposure - I didn't get the light patterns well enough.
The long light is beautiful and tough to capture! Sometimes what the eye sees cannot be replicated. The turkey shoot was a nice accident.
ReplyDeleteThe problem is that I am never really satisfied. What the mind thinks it sees is an interpretation, and what the camera picks up is another interpretation.
DeleteLovely pictures. Alfred, Lord Tennyson can often give at least one or two memorable lines, but he overall leaves me cold. I look to the Victorians for novels rather than poetry. Snacking turkeys--now there's a wonderful phrase!
ReplyDeleteI am not a Tennyson fan either, but that poem has followed me from adolescence, or maybe even earlier, when I thought it was,um, splendid.
DeleteThe turkeys themselves provide much entertainment. We have three males basing themselves on us this winter. At present they are plump and pleased with themselves. I caught one taking a snow bath the other day. Much flapping and flopping. Hilarious.
I don't take pictures beyond what I need for my blog, using a low level phone. But I notice how much more the eye perceives, and edits, than the camera. Not knowing what you were aiming for, I think your photos are just fine!
ReplyDeleteThanks. I think the problem for me is that the whole yard, really a small field, was shadowed, and the photos all only show parts. The overall effect was lovely.
Delete37paddington:
ReplyDeleteYour photos are lovely. I’m particularly struck by how the light falling through the trees looks like jewels. I clicked and made each photo large and looked for a long time. Thank you for sharing them.
Yes, it sparkled. The camera adds colour - there is a name for those jewelled dots, but I cannot bring it to mind. I looked at the original over several days and as the sun swung in its arc, and ended up choosing afternoon. We are blessed to live where we do, even with the spring onslaught of a million biting bugs.
DeleteI saw your comment on AC's blog. Lanark Village! We're near Port Elmsley, and have driven through Lanark a lot.
ReplyDelete