2015 Project 52 first quarter by joebranko

[joebranko]

Taken in LaSalle Park. The ice in the bay melted today, except close to the shore where some ice was visible. The surface of the ice was melting permitting some beautiful reflections. In the background is Hamilton's Industrial sector; a fire from the burning of off gas from the steel company can be seen here also.



ISO 400, 48mm, f5.6, 1/400"

[mknittle]

Very nice Joe,

[Shadowman]

Nice capture.

[IzzieK]

Joe...you are having good weather. No wonder we are warm these last few days...Manfred will be pleased...Spring has sprung -- for a few days at least!!!

This place is an industrial site that is why the water is dirty. Can be a beautiful site...the dirty water at the foreground can be a turn off...but it is what it is...Good shot!

[joebranko]

Joe...you are having good weather. No wonder we are warm these last few days...Manfred will be pleased...Spring has sprung -- for a few days at least!!!

This place is an industrial site that is why the water is dirty. Can be a beautiful site...the dirty water at the foreground can be a turn off...but it is what it is...Good shot!

This site is also the winter habitat for hundreds of geese and swan! What you are seeing at the waters edge is an icy slush made more ugly by the 'poo' of hundreds of waterfowl. I thought of cropping it out but did not want to lose the swan. Of course there is contamination from the industry but our Ministry of Environment ( like your EPA) would be down on them like a ton of bricks if they caused anything like this. Pollution from geese and swan is a hugh problem for our shoreline water, especially geese who are poop machines! These waterfowl have somehow lost their direction and come to this location for winter. They have been doing this for many swan generations, even though the water freezes in the winter. There is a group of Samaritans who come out with feed for them and tag and monitor them every day.
BTW. I cloned out many gobs of poop which were sitting onthe ice to make it 'clean'!
I agree with your comment. I will try to crop the foreground, and try to save the swan!

[flashback]

Joe, a very interesting shot. Looking at it in lightbox on full magnification the image comes to life. If it were me, I'd consider a crop on the bottom, about halfway between the lowest goose reflection and bottom edge, and a crop on the RHS between furthest goose and the swan in the lower corner. To my way of thinking you then end up with this very neat image of the two birds coming in, their reflections and the industrial area in the background. Makes a very cool montage of nature and man...just a thought.

[joebranko]

Joe, a very interesting shot. Looking at it in lightbox on full magnification the image comes to life. If it were me, I'd consider a crop on the bottom, about halfway between the lowest goose reflection and bottom edge, and a crop on the RHS between furthest goose and the swan in the lower corner. To my way of thinking you then end up with this very neat image of the two birds coming in, their reflections and the industrial area in the background. Makes a very cool montage of nature and man...just a thought.

Thanks Jack. I tried your suggestions and I 'lost' the swan. The resulting image is cleaner ( forgive the pun) and less distracting. I like it. I also did a mono version: Not sure which one I prefer.

[joebranko]

Nice capture.

Thanks John!

[joebranko]

Very nice Joe,

Thanks Mark!

[flashback]

Joe, this crop is exactly what I was thinking and I think it a stronger image. As for color v B&W, tough call on this one. The color version is so monochromatic that it works as is; only thing is the little splash of color from the burn off flame in the BG. On the other hand the B&W definitely gives it a much more 'industrial' feel. I guess if I had to pick I'd go with the B&W.

[joebranko]

Joe, this crop is exactly what I was thinking and I think it a stronger image. As for color v B&W, tough call on this one. The color version is so monochromatic that it works as is; only thing is the little splash of color from the burn off flame in the BG. On the other hand the B&W definitely gives it a much more 'industrial' feel. I guess if I had to pick I'd go with the B&W.

Thank you Jack!

[Geoff F]

I would go for the colour version which has a much better sky. Almost B&W but just a fraction more 'shine' to it.

[joebranko]

I would go for the colour version which has a much better sky. Almost B&W but just a fraction more 'shine' to it.

Thanks Geoff.

[IzzieK]

I prefer the colour version too, Joe...now the picture is more clearer and I like that I can still feel the cold without the dirty icy part of the photograph...Well done.