Winter Road
Driving the mountain roads in winter brings you close to the black & white beauties of the world, which sometimes hints at photo negatives....
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Driving the mountain roads in winter brings you close to the black & white beauties of the world, which sometimes hints at photo negatives.
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Mar, 2015Views
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Awards
Winner in Milky white Photo Challenge
Peer Award
Superb Composition
Top Choice
Absolute Masterpiece
Outstanding Creativity
Magnificent Capture
All Star
Superior Skill
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Behind The Lens
Location
Photo was made along the mountain road over Sljeme, a part of the mountain range over Zagreb (Croatia).Time
Time was about 0930 hrs on a crispy March Sunday.Lighting
There was plenty of ambiental light, and it was all that was necessary.Equipment
I just used the camera out of hand for this shot, can't find the Exif data with this one, but the elements were probably about 1/250 @ f/5.6 (ISO 100).Inspiration
Wintertime brings monochromatic ambient to the mountains, especially when there is no sunlight. Since there is not a lot of traffic, the snow usually remains white for a relatively long time, and crisply clear air opens extensive vistas in all directions. The Sljeme mountain being what it is, there is enough inspiration from that fact alone, and it was also the very reason I used to drive this road on Sundays when there are not many people around.Editing
I think I raised the contrast still more to highlight the difference between the tree bark with its side-blown snow. At the moment the road has been freshly cleaned of the snow, but not for long; half an hour later it was covered in white again. I re-cropped the photo some, and also did a bit of re-sharping after the copy was resized for upload.In my camera bag
I'm using a photo vest instead. All I need fits nicely in its many pockets. There will be two cameras, spare batteries, a ND and a CPL filter, and a camera clamp standing in for a tripod. There will also be some things which I use to improvise if there is any need for it; a sturdily handled pocket knife, a roll of paracord, matches or a lighter... If I'm planning to be out for the whole day, I may decide to take along a water bottle and a sandwich or chocolate. Winter trips basically make no difference, even if I'm traveling in my car... but then the tripod and an old big flash unit will be along, for "just in case". I find this arrangement easier to organize and carry than a typical photo bag.Feedback
If the weather isn't quite to your liking, or if you don't feel like taking photos on graydays, think again! While such weather may be outside of your usual comfort limit, it does offer certain attraction. I'd suggest, go out and try it. Dress warmly, take all precautions that the season demands, and drive or walk around for a while. You will usually find plenty of details embellished by either raindrops, or snowflakes, or frost... and if the visibility allows, the snow-covered forms, even urban space in the snow looks different. In a word, never let the weather sway your wish to take photos!
