December 2007
The story behind it
01/12/2007
We leave the mountain hut early, with ice everywhere. There would be snow, but only higher above. But the frost at low altitude was impressive. The ice crystals had formed in all surfaces, rocks, ground, plants. The ground is also frozen, cracking under the boots. The Sun shines, for a good day in the mountains. Looking down, I notice this old twig. The ice crystals look like teeth. The low light is a tempting. I cannot resist stopping, getting the camera and taking a photograph.Comment
Technical issues
01/12/2007
This photograph results from digital scanning of 35mm film. For the shot, I paid attention to exposing at 1 or 1 and a half stop below, to obtain the deep shadows in contrast with the whiteness, shapes and textures of the ice. Otherwise, the photograph would be overexposed. With a 50 or 100 ISO film, the aperture reasonably wide, I didn’t need any tripod.Critial review
01/12/2007
This B&W photograph, with great contrasts between the white crystals and the blacks in the shadows, results simple but strong. Even the composition, with the twig almost in the middle, provides power, cut by the diagonal frozen sticks in the background. There is a semi-shade, semi-illuminated area, in the upper part. It shows the round shapes of the stones. This photograph is full of distinct forms, brought about by the low light of the moment.Where you should place it
01/12/2007
If printed large, all-its B&W splendour will arise. The contrasting shapes and brightness of the ice crystals with the round dark background will go very well in a living-room with strong colours. All its potential is in this use, worth having its own lighting source.  |
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