Silent Sunday
Delta Lake State Park

Delta Lake State Park

Delta Lake State Park

The lone tree has been a photographic pursuit of mine for quite some time. This image isn’t exactly the one I have in my head but I like it. Combine this solitary tree, separate and distant from the other trees, with a winter scene to evoke an emotional response. I was looking for loneliness and/or solitude. The two different processing styles, I believe, convey each separately.

This first image is more about loneliness. The muted colors and matte finish push the image toward that feeling. The image has a slight cold tone to it that enhances the feeling. Although it is a sunset, the sun does not feel warm and inviting.

The second image I processed as monochrome. Removing the color takes away the impact it has on the image. The cold feeling is still there but only due to the visual clues in the image; i.e., the snow and ice. To me, this image has a stoic feel to it. The tree embraces its solitude.

Or maybe it is all in my head…

Bellamy Harbor, Rome, NY

I swear the sun was shining bright through my windows. There were a few clouds in the sky, but it felt like the rain had passed. Time to grab a few sunset images before finding something for dinner.

I chose Bellamy Harbor as I was at Delta Lake the previous night. I needed to spread the love around to all my usual haunts. The sun was dropping into the clouds quicker than I would have liked as I rushed down the boulevard toward the harbor.

Damn! I missed it. Ten minutes quicker and I could have captured the sun.

My consolation prize? Streaky clouds in the sky changing color as the sun approached the horizon. I shouldn’t complain…

Delta Lake State Park

It has been a long week at work. I tell myself not go in early or stay late but habits are hard to break. There is work to be done, not enough people to get to it all and I have a guilty conscious that I should be doing more… so, my habit is hard for me to break.

I missed the colorful sunset on Wednesday and was determined to not miss another one. I could see bright spots of the sun trying to poke through the clouds. I went to Delta Lake State Park, if for nothing else than to breathe fresh air and stare across the lake doing nothing.

You get to follow along as I try to capture the colors of an almost sunless sunset. Lucky you!

It was an unusually warm evening and the park was empty. I suppose the clouds had something to do with the lack of people. Anyway, good for me as I had the run of the beach. There was ice on the lake but spots near the shore had open water. Ah, reflection photography, how can I refuse…

I really like how the clouds turned out and their reflection in the water. The sunlight reflected in the ice is a nice anchor point with the patch of sunlight showing through the clouds. If you look on the right edge of the image near the horizon you can spot two people who I assume had been ice fishing. Personally, I wasn’t positive the ice was that thick.

My next couple of attempts were in portrait orientation. I wanted more sky and reflection in the view. And then I noticed the ripples in the sand at the edge of the water. Cool. Get those in an image as well…

I was hoping the clouds would break at the horizon and I would get a look at the sun as it slips over the horizon. My chances were looking slim so I wandered around for a different reflection view. The area on the right of the beach with the trees on the point I photograph so often had more open water.

There it was. Color. Reflection. Bare trees. That is the one…

I won’t mention how I broke through the ice and the sand was mushy enough to let my feet sink in up to my ankles. Luckily, I chose to wear the tall, waterproof boots this time. I managed to get myself out of that predicament, and still find a good angle for my image.

Time to wait for sunset. Fingers crossed.

Waiting.

Doesn’t look good.

Waiting.

Capture a few images.

Waiting.

Sunset. Nope.

Don’t go yet, the sun could still provide the color in the clouds as it falls deeper below the horizon.

Was that my stomach?

Right, you didn’t eat lunch. Want to go to that pub you heard about at work?

The one near the apartment?

Yes.

OK.

And as I drove into the parking lot, the clouds were highlighted in a beautiful magenta color. I should have stayed ten more minutes.

My last image isn’t horrible though…