Ghost Mountains, a photo from Alberta, Prairies

Photographer's Note

Moraine Lake at sunset. I like the black & white conversion because it makes the outline of the shapes so different, really making the snow stand out. I've posted a few pictures from this beautiful spot, but this one may be the most accurate in terms of the feel. In this one the mountains look a lot closer than some of my others, because the other ones used an ultra-wide lens, which makes them seem farther away. When you visit this place in person, the mountains really tower over you, and you feel like they are so close. I like this one because the mountains take up almost the whole frame, leaving no room for anything else. This is what it feels like to be there.

Greg1949, tucancr, lucasgalodoido, Floydian, feather, pierrefonds, nwoehnl, robiuk, mpsf, singuanti, jmdaoudal, zeca, Dyerco has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

tsemin (316) 2007-08-13 18:56

Hi Alvin,
This is a perfect artwork! Speechless. Congratulations!
Tsemin

Greg1949 (9011) 2007-08-13 18:56

Alvin, this is spectacular, the B&W really brings out the detail and seems to enhance the reflection in the lake. fantastic job.

Greg

lucasgalodoido (27698) 2007-08-13 19:54

Hi Alvin!
Very nice photo, the option of B&W was great, because the high contrast in the image! Good reflections too!
Congratulations and Hug!

cdmonson (5304) 2007-08-13 21:05

Hi Alvin:

Another fantastic shot of Moraine Lake. No matter how many you take, they always seem new. I like the choice of B/W, especially given the late afternoon light. Great job as always.

Clark

Ann75 (0) 2007-08-13 21:57

Hi Alvin,

Now that's different! I really like this, even though I am used to the beautiful and bright colours of this place. I think it really brings out the lighting, the contrast and this works fantastic! Excellent work, Alvin!

Greetings,
Ann

PS: I remember when I saw this place for the first time, those mountains are so impressive and so big! I thought to myself: How in the heck are those mountains going to fit on my camera/photo. But they did, barely!

cbrman (21685) 2007-08-13 22:17

Hello Alvin,

Les reflets sont vraiment trиs beaux dans le lac et le noir et blanc apporte certainement beaucoup а cet effet ! Le cadrage avec l'horizon au centre est bien choisi pour souligner la symйtrie !
Bien vu.

A+

Dominique

umbrellaphotos (1901) 2007-08-13 22:31

Hey Alvin,
I like that this is black and white compared to all of your others from this place. Although the colors are spectacular, black and white is less common and you've captured it well in this shot. Were you going for a grain in the sky/shadows or is that just a by-product of something else? Great scene and perfect metering once again.

Hope you're doing well,

Brian

Graal (103040) 2007-08-13 23:43

Hi Alvin,
good POV, great landscape and reflections, unusual pattern. Fantastic place. I like it a lot.
Gr., Aleksander

Floydian (30970) 2007-08-14 0:27

The colour version must look bad? But on the other hand i can imagine that you like this effect very much. Those snow field are relly brighten up in this image and even in the lake the reflection is wonderful.
the more you show us these images the more i am trying to make plans to fly over, after ten years it's about time to return...
Fantastic landscape...without words..!!!
Regards, Henk

Fis2 (169847) 2007-08-14 1:02

Witaj Alvin!
Very interesting photo. Good composition. Curious place. The black and white increase this emotion. Good job.
Regards
Krzysztof

PixelTerror (0) 2007-08-14 1:13

Hi Alvin,
Possibly because I'm not a BW fan I'm less convinced by this one, okay the left part where there is snow is okay, but on the right part and as it shows on my screen the lake, trees and even backgrund range seem to melt into one dark area where it's difficult to isolate details. Still PoV and reflection are superb.
Have a nice day,
Jean-Yves

donluicu (24741) 2007-08-14 1:38

HI Alvin
this could be a great "Ansel Adams" shot..
but i'd say tat i really prefer the colored pictures here...
you're doing such a great job

bye

feather (51130) 2007-08-14 3:12

Because we are used to seeing the stunning turquoise of Moraine Lake I didn't recognise the location at first, but the row of smaller peaks in the middle fianlly gave it away. It's so stunningly beautiful in colour it seems a shame to convert to B&W but then I understand your reasons for doing so as the reflections in particular realy fit your title. There are also some pretty symmetrical patterns in there which are relying on texture and graphics which may not be as apparent in the colour version. Good work
Kath

dkeus31 (27739) 2007-08-14 3:31

hello Alvin,
not sur about the BW here, the colors are usually outstanding from this lake at this time, isn't it?
good contrast, but you have added some noise in the sky.
regards
didier

pierrefonds (113676) 2007-08-14 4:11

Hi Alvin,

A nice image of Moraine lake and of the reflection of the Rocky mountains in the water, the black and white is showing a lot of details. The photo has a good composition and DOF. Thanks for sharing.

Pierre

eza1701 (3345) 2007-08-14 4:38

Hi Alvin,

Impressive shot of an equally impressive place. I like the B&W conversion as it emphasises the shapes and contrast very well.

Best regards,
Paul.

jonathan_hart (21276) 2007-08-14 7:06

hello Alvin
nice POV and framing, very nice composition, but IMO it's a bit too dark on the right, the left is interesting with the snow
regards
jo

nwoehnl (122) 2007-08-14 7:41

Very nice one, Alvin. I am quite impressed by the rich contrast of the b&w conversion, and the disposition of sunlight and the way it is amplified by the reflection certainly delivers a special aspect. Great shot from this fabulous location.

crhieatt (5347) 2007-08-14 10:38

Alvin,
Bold and striking in black and white. I like it. I'm also a big fan of position things very close to the top of the frame, especially if there's no interesting sky to be had - there's really no point in wasting 1/3 of a frame showing folk what blue sky looks like! Well, that's my excuse any way!
Regards
Colin

robiuk (10807) 2007-08-14 14:02

Hi Alvin,
I have to be completely honest: all the
positive critiques you recieved for this
one haven't made me change my mind... so,
rather than not leaving any comment/critique,
I decided to say that it just doesn't work
for me in b/w.
Lit areas are alright, but dark areas lack too
much in details and tonal range. If I'm wrong
about latter, that might be to do with my
monitor, though.
Cheers,
Robi

luiscar (3286) 2007-08-14 17:50

Hola Alvin precioso paisaje en blanco y negro,lo cual no es muy habitual.
Me gusta mucho la nieve en las montaсas y los reflejos en el agua.
Buen POV y definiciуn.
Un saludo desde Espaсa.

mpsf (731) 2007-08-14 17:51

Hola Alvin, preciosa panorбmica del lago con las montaсas al fondo, enmarcado por los бrboles. Bonito reflejo dandole una aire romбntico. Mejor asн en B/N. Saludos desde Espaсa.
Pilar

singuanti (15250) 2007-08-14 18:41

Hi Alvin. I must say that I don't agree with Robi's take on your b/w as I think it's stellar. We rarely ever see b/w from you but you did such a great job. It might be interesting to see the color version as a workshop though. tfs Alvin.

jmdaoudal (82) 2007-08-15 0:10

I like it, this is luminous without color. Just sharp, lighted.
A great landscape with a strong mountain.
Beautiful
Jean Michel

Gustaw (21670) 2007-08-15 2:24

Hi, my friend!
It is very oryginal photo. I like your black and white. interesting composition. I like your canadian mountains. Well done.
Marek

Bluejeans (64251) 2007-08-15 5:08

Ola Alvin um perfeito reflexo a preto e branco , muito belas estas montanhas com neve nos topos , muito bonito este Banff National Park , parbens!!!
Um abraзo Gonзalo

kensimage (8563) 2007-08-15 8:28

I like your foray into B/W, Alvin! The reflection is remarkably clear and bright, thanks to the high contrasts in the actual mountains. It's good that you included those rocks to break the symmetry just enough. I've looked at this on two different monitors. On one, I can see good detail in the trees; on the other, I cannot. That might explain some earlier comments. Anyway, it's really a striking image! Regards, Ken.

danyy (0) 2007-08-15 11:14

Hello Alvin,
excellente idйe que cette vue convertie en N:B , trиs contrastйe et prйcise dans la mise au point et les lumiиres.
La forкt apparait toutefois un peu sombre.
Regards.
Daniel.

crckt (7222) 2007-08-15 18:03

Hi Alvin,
This shot is amazing!! Really Awesome. Beautiful scenary! I am adding this shot to my favourite!
Regards,
Shaeri

dsidwell (9783) 2007-08-15 21:03

Hi Alvin! It's great to see your work again. It's so great of late. Wow! This one is stunning. The tones are magnificent and really draw me in nicely. Super super work!

zeca (19762) 2007-08-16 18:01

Hi Alvin!
Beautiful work! The lights are amazing! The landscape is wonderful! Nice POV! Excellent capture!
Regards,
Zeca

jplebrun (21208) 2007-08-17 3:59

Hello Alvin,

Black et white et it's enough!!!

Congratulations
Jean-Pierre

P.S. I will come back tomorrow

brevbrev14 (140) 2007-08-19 1:35

ciao Alvin,ohh....in BW !!!
fantastic!
i like a lot this reflection and the ray of light on the mountains..
the composition is very good!
bravo!
ciao!
Valeria

Dyerco (10185) 2007-08-22 9:56

Hi Alvin
I like this lens of yours as you seem to get such amazing clarity in your images. I agree that this image in B&W really works here. The light is superb and I like the rocks in the foreground to compliment the mountains.
Phil