Photographer's Note
This is an old image, originally shot on 400 ASA Ektachrome. The scan is surprisingly faithful to the colors of the original and the detail -- what appears as noise is probably, yes, part noise, but also is an effect of the screen that was on the outside of the window.
These are ICE CRYSTALS that formed overnight on the inside of a glass window during an extremely cold winter in Kansas. This was shot in dawn light and there is snow on the ground outside.
I am endlessly fascinated by the similarities between crystal formations and organic growth -- but I am even more motivated by cold weather to move south.
Critiques | Translate
cjmm
(4479) 2013-08-01 12:19
Hola Russ,
Very nice and an photo that I could not imagine without that nice ASA-400 grain (in the old days I was very much a fan of Tri-X).
The soft dawn light, the patterns, the colors... all that create a sense of delicacy in the image.
Kind regards, saludos,
Carlos
limielski
(0) 2013-08-01 12:23
Hi Russ!
Your shot shows the beauty of nature. It's extraordinary picture and a superb shot.
Warm regards, Leszek
photoray
(13981) 2013-08-02 10:04
Howdy Russ,
I think the 'noise' adds to the effect of the feather like crystal formations, and the dark green blue adds to the overall composition.
And I agree with Nature mimicking itself with similarities amongst plants, animals, geology and chemistry.
Have fun,
Cheers,
Ray
SnapRJW
(31631) 2013-08-02 10:56
Hello Russ - Do you know, I had forgotten about these fantastic ice patterns that can form on the inside of windows. Seeing this took me back to my childhood and I remember how fascinated I was by them. This is a great shot, I like the graininess and the way the colours shift from warm to cold from the top to the bottom of the frame. Magical memories.... thanks for that. Warm regards Rosemary
holmertz
(92774) 2013-08-02 11:34
Hello Russ,
So, I guess you're not in Kansas anymore ;-). The ice crystals of Kansas are probably much nicer than those in Texas, if there ever are any. The patterns are marvellous and the colors have kept very well through the ages.
Kind regards,
Gert
KristinsCamera
(2384) 2013-08-02 21:15
Too bad you won't find ice crystals like this in Austin, Russ, for this is really a beautiful shot. The patterns are a like an old lace tablecloth, yet the hues of the sunrise coming through them is very contemporary. Really a lovely shot!
Warm regards,
Kristin
rigoletto
(34279) 2013-08-03 6:32
mr chispa, this is a most stunning landscape and a study on fractals. there are two proofs here: first: everything is there, we just need to discover it, second: it is the eye, not the gear that speaks. but i very well understand why you fled there. i wouldn't merry ice queen however beautiful she was.
mcmtanyel
(58830) 2013-08-04 6:23
Hi Russ,
Let me get this straight, you abhor beauties of nature. You cold not stand to look at such pretty sights, so you left. Alright, just making sure I understand you correctly!
Seriously, I love scans of film photography. You have manages to convert an analog work of art into digital medium. A very pleasant photo to look at!
Regards,
MT
ManuMay
(36447) 2013-08-05 3:25
Hi Russ!
Wonderful capture!!
It has a special mood very well captured, it looks wonderful and intimate, even grain fits well to the image...Great...Great!!!!!!
Have a nice day...
Manu
mjw364
(1466) 2013-08-07 0:44
Hi Russ
What this shot does for me is two things. First of all I think "wow" I love the colours and the beauty of the natural ice crystals. I love the slightly soft focus and the grain, which both add texture and provide a more creative, original and artistic shot. This leads to my second point. Given the things I have outliined you only have 18 points on what I consider to be a wonderful image and that tells me all I need to know about the conservative, somewhat lacking in imagination TE audience. Sometimes they don't know a great shot when it bites them on the a£$! Sometimes they applaud images that don't deserve a single point too. Go figure as they say in your homeland!
Mike
m
(0) 2013-08-10 13:39
Hi Russ,
I find this work of mother nature absolutely beautiful, I guess she was practicing drawing ferns:)
I like the light and tender colors of your picture and the retro feel about it.
I wonder how long you would stand winters at my place. I guess you'd be happy to move back to Kansas once you tried:))
Thanks and best wishes
Lavonne
(163) 2013-08-13 7:27
This is an incredibly beautiful creation that I've never seen before in my life. I also like the grain effect of the film. Glad you captured that before you left the cold...
clic
(23760) 2013-08-20 12:35
Hola Russ
We are used in Canada to such elegant designs created by indoor residual humidity on very cold nights, especially on poorly-insulated windows.
I never understood what magic develops the symmetry of such elaborate works!
Thanks for showing.
Hasta luego.
Robert
jcpix
(14030) 2013-10-16 19:56
Hi Russ,
This popped up on your profile page and immediately caught my eye. Not sure how I missed it until now!? Considering its age, this looks really good! The aqua coloring with the warm sunlight along the upper portion of the frame is a very soothing combination..kind of tropical. Way off base though for this particular subject, right? :)
What's the saying, "good things come in tiny packages"....well this would fit the bill alright! Sometimes the smallest, most unassuming object(s) can result in the strongest imagery. The immediate impact is the ice design on the window, but what grabs me the most is the blurred background for depth perception. I feel as if I'm sitting right there having a nice hot drink while watching the morning come to life in the neighborhood.
It would appear you had your senses working already back in '79, well done! I really like the calm and collective atmosphere contained within every aspect of this shot. In a way, this takes me back to my childhood during the winters in SLC. Thanks for the memories. Have a great night.
Friendly wishes,
Jason
ourania
(51103) 2013-12-23 13:43
Hello Russ,
a very atmospheric capture of this fascinating, random, natural art. Through the patterns and colours we can feel the freezing winter outside and it's interesting to see the effect of the warm light above, it looks like it's going to melt the rest of the picture. A unique image for sure. Congratulations and thank you!
All the best, have a wonderful Christmas time with health, love and joy for you and your dear ones!
Ourania
Photo Information
-
Copyright: Russ Ham (EstudioChispa)
(2182)
- Genre: Τοποθεσίες
- Medium: Έγχρωμο
- Date Taken: 1979-01-00
- Categories: Φύση
- Camera: Nikkormat FT, Nikkor 50mm f/1.4
- Έκθεση: f/1.4, 1/30 δευτερόλεπτα
- More Photo Info: view
- Έκδοση φωτογραφίας: Πρωτότυπη έκδοση
- Date Submitted: 2013-08-01 12:07
Discussions
- To cjmm: Sν, "grain!" (1)
by EstudioChispa, last updated 2013-08-01 12:26 - To limielski: Krysztaly! (1)
by EstudioChispa, last updated 2013-08-01 12:34 - To photoray: Yes, feathers! (1)
by EstudioChispa, last updated 2013-08-02 01:15 - To SnapRJW: That makes me smile! (1)
by EstudioChispa, last updated 2013-08-02 01:19 - To holmertz: Thank you, Gert! (1)
by EstudioChispa, last updated 2013-08-02 01:21 - To KristinsCamera: Thank you! (1)
by EstudioChispa, last updated 2013-08-03 06:06 - To rigoletto: Fractals (1)
by EstudioChispa, last updated 2013-08-05 10:45 - To mcmtanyel: Very funny, Murat! (1)
by EstudioChispa, last updated 2013-08-05 11:23 - To ManuMay: Misterioso y hermoso (1)
by EstudioChispa, last updated 2013-08-05 11:28 - To mjw364: Audiences will vary... (1)
by EstudioChispa, last updated 2013-08-08 11:35 - To marina7: "Practicing drawing ferns" -- genius! (1)
by EstudioChispa, last updated 2013-08-12 06:51 - To Lavonne: Mother Nature is amazing... (1)
by EstudioChispa, last updated 2013-08-13 07:40 - To clic: "What magic!" Exactly right. (1)
by EstudioChispa, last updated 2013-08-20 01:42 - To jcpix: Your words too kind! (1)
by EstudioChispa, last updated 2013-10-17 01:46