DAJanzen's photostream  

An interesting thing... these are the days of limited color in the landscape. And what color there is, tends to be drab and muted. But the lack of color seems to transfer the emphasis primarily on form and texture. Add a fresh snowfall to help shape and bring out all that form and texture... and things take on a unique beauty that in other seasons, can often be harder to appreciate.

I added the blue tones to reflect the true winter environment and chill that the original 'straight out of camera' image fell short of expressing. Felt life. Like I was there again. Beyond the act of 'simply taking photographs'... I love the entire process of creating images!

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Natural form and texture... larger and more detailed on black...

The snow started about 11:00 am this morning, and before it's all over, we could get as much as 6 to 8 inches. White sky... white ground... and shades of drab brown and gray in between.

Everything is catching and holding on to the falling snow... dried plant stalks... tree branches... cars... roofs... driveways... sidewalks... cameras on tripods... and the photographer who doesn't mind being out in the elements every now and then... =)

Hey, as long as it's January in the Chicago area... let it snow... let it snow... let it snow!

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Seen in EXPLORE! Thanks all... (in on January 20... best position #259)

All that winter white... larger and more detailed on more white!!

This image was also from my walk in the woods yesterday... during the first significant snow of the winter season. It doesn't show here, but snow was falling, the wind was blowing, and the temps were falling. Still... there is a serenity to the relentless flow of the river's current... and a hush to a landscape softened by 5 or 6 inches of fresh snow. It was a joy to behold.

I processed this photo several ways before deciding to post this alternate tone treatment. I've taken the liberty of starting with a blue/yellow, vintage feel split tone, and generally massaging and coaxing ACR and Photoshop to give me a chilly overall feel, with a hint of warmth where the blues meet the whites. Something different. And a couple of very enjoyable hours in front of my Mac.

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Winter along the river... bigger and more detail on black...

This has been an unusual winter season so far... without the early season snow of the past several winters. Bare trees... bare ground... generally blah. But the snow came today. Roughly 6 or so inches so far... with some more still to come.

I walked to one of my favorite 'in the woods' spots along the Fox River... the only one to brave the elements there today. My tracks were the only ones... save for some left by a couple of rabbits. Not much color at all in the woods right now... just shades of gray and blue and a few subtle dabs of ochre and brown. But it's beautiful in it's starkness... the shape and form of things stands out against the bare backdrops.

In every season, there are great reasons to take a walk in the woods! =)

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First big snow... larger on black...

Ahhh... the Christmas tree lights! It's something I look forward to every year. All that warm glow combined with the fresh pine scent... what a lovely addition to the house! Makes me wonder why we take it down so quickly after the new year? Aside from all the needles underneath on the floor, that is...

In a few short days it will be time once again, to figure out what to do with the empty space where the tree once stood. I sure miss it for a while after it's gone.

But for a little while yet... I'm enjoying the glow! =)

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Holiday warmth... bigger on black...