Minnewanka moments, a photo from Alberta, Prairies

Photographer's Note

This was one of only two rainy days on our honeymoon in Canada. It didnt actually rain much on this day, but frustratingly whenever I got out of the car to take a photo somewhere. When we arrived here, the light on the far mountain was lovely. So I jumped out of the car, grabbed my gear and walked quickly down to the lakeside, looking for some interesting foreground. When I found this reddish coloured stone after a few moments, I quickly set the camera up on the tripod and was just about to fire the shutter, when I noticed the light on the mountain had completely gone. So I decided to wait. And it decided to rain. So I took my gear back to the car and packed it away while I sat in the car. After 5 minutes the rain stopped, so I grabbed my gear and ran back to position. And it started to rain again. So I decided to sit it out and covered my camera gear and tripod with a cover sheet. I wandered about 20 foot down the lakeside to check out another position. It then stopped raining, so I ran back to the camera....and it started to rain again. I was just about to give up when I looked up and saw the rainbow appear! All of a sudden the few remaining spots of rain became the least of my concerns as I concentrated on capturing the rainbow in the scene, along with light on the mountain in an image that became far better that what I had originally visualised some 30 minutes before.

So, it just goes to show that the light can change in a moment, often for the worse, but with a little perserverance it can sometimes, occassionally change for the better!

Filters: Polariser & .9 ND grad

isabela_sor, chicken, humanist, Vicky, pboehringer, MikiM, cmoraru, nielsenallan, bostankorkulugu, deblink, fjufju, fayeulle, Signal-Womb, Spike, luisafonso, kittyhawk, Danzi, Rodrigues, cpaton, ku-fotak-chtik has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

gerardovolio (267) 2006-10-21 11:57

Beatifull picture!
Full of magic !
Saludos de Costa Rica

isabela_sor (47748) 2006-10-21 11:58

Really I just can not say anything when I see your pictures!Because you are the greatest ARTIST on TE!All that I can say is only ....thank you for sharing!MULTUMESC(in Romanian language)!!!
A nice week end
Isabela

Malyshev (2522) 2006-10-21 12:00

Hi,Adam! This is GREAT SHOT!!!!!!!Wonderful colours and magic atmosphere! REAL ART!!!!!!! BRAVO! Yuri.

Cormac (26565) 2006-10-21 12:01

Another stunner Adam! The weather conditions can change so fast in the Rockies that you never know what's going to happen next. I'm glad you didn't give up, because the result is incredibly beautiful. The rainbow gives it that extra added kick, of capturing something ephemeral at just the right time. Superb!

chicken (1557) 2006-10-21 12:03

Thanks for sharing your story. I like the red rocks and the clear water. Hope your newly wedded wife was warned beforehand and didn't get too bored while waiting for you to get all these fantastic images ;-)

humanist (695) 2006-10-21 12:03

The number of elements that you have built into this great photo is astounding. I won't bore you with POV and DOF comments. I will say that I really like the subtle reflection of the rainbow and the colour depth.

dzain (585) 2006-10-21 12:05

Just looked at some of your other pictures, because I love your style. And I think you're a really talented landscape photographer.
Your patience is being rewarded!

tjanze (5674) 2006-10-21 12:11

Hi Adam!
Beautiful nature photo.Light is amazing.Sharpness,colors and composition..+++.
Bravo! Regards!

dcawker (5717) 2006-10-21 12:21

Wow, nice shot Adam.. I've tried to approximate your style on a couple of my shots over the past few months too but don't tell anyone! :) And they don't come out looking like this either! Regards, Doug

gregpraz (358) 2006-10-21 12:24

Hello Adam,
That's amaizing wat we can do with perceverance...
and talent too!
verry nice color and POV
Regards
Greg

pboehringer (770) 2006-10-21 12:25

I endorse every single word that was written in all critiques so far, however I have a small negative critique to be added. With such a perfect shot you also should aim for a perfect post and at least correct the 1-2 degree tilt.

Vicky (1446) 2006-10-21 12:26

An inspired capture and a lesson to us all on how to manage light. The rainbow is a terrific bonus and well worth waiting for. Getting wet is the least of your worries when you can produce work like this as an end result! Sharpness, colours and composition are stunning and it is a great advert for the 17-40, which I am seriously considering as my next purchase....but this takes nothing away from the artist behind the lens. Well done Adam. Best wishes, Vicky

t0mmm1 (5442) 2006-10-21 12:27

Hi Adam,
what a wonderful dreamlad! I really enjoyed your funny but also instructing note... yes, many times the perseverance get payed in such a miracolous ways.
Have a nice weekend... and yes, congratulations!
Tomi

rafid76 (0) 2006-10-21 12:47

as always crisp pictures, beautiful scenery and serene composition. no comment!

beautiful_mind (294) 2006-10-21 13:11

very fantastic shot

KevRyan (22956) 2006-10-21 13:18

A beautiful painting with light Adam - your landscape skills in a Canadian context - what a combination - as Cormac said - an absolute stunner - excellent - and congratulations on your marriage/honeymoon.

best wishes Kev

DarkoG (8) 2006-10-21 13:19

Hi Adam

Another great landscape, as usuall. Very nice, clear and balanced photo reveal beauti and serenity of place.
Regards Darko

hamerek (466) 2006-10-21 14:13

Fabulous shot!
Anna

recepyuksel (18640) 2006-10-21 14:34

Faultless beauty....Thank you..

rhizomes (15343) 2006-10-21 15:31

HI Adam,
Impressive picture !! Nice rainbow and great landscape.
I like it !
CHristophe

Elaine_Blath (8471) 2006-10-21 15:39

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Iｴm speechless....

Take care, Ivana

MikiM (1924) 2006-10-21 15:52

Hi Adam,
You worked a lot on this picture but it was worth. ( I hope you agree) Great rainbow with perfect foreground!
Thanks for sharing!
Mikl

Glint (6171) 2006-10-21 15:56

hello Adam,
I think I have said this before...IT IS JUST NOT FAIR!! why can't I take a picture like that? It is wonderful and magical and I would be in seventh heaven if it were mine.
Bev

cmoraru (557) 2006-10-21 15:59

Outstanding image, a real work of art! I don't think there is anything to add to the previous comments, except that your willingness to 'walk the extra mile' definitely paid off. Amazing work, TFS!
Catalin

nielsenallan (524) 2006-10-21 16:27

I agree with all TE members, just one "but", the waterline is not straight, minor thing, but I think you would agree....

Again, a beautiful Photo, water, rocks,Landscape, your speciality

bostankorkulugu (42866) 2006-10-21 19:36 [Comment]

Show Comment

Ann75 (0) 2006-10-22 0:42

Hello Adam,

Very impressive shot, Adam! The rainbow is sure a super nice addition to this shot. I love the light on the foreground rocks and the light spots on darker background. Fantastic quality, great compositiong and excellent captured!

Greetings,
Ann

jjcordier (79299) 2006-10-22 1:03

Just magical shot, Adam!
Best regards
JJ

catmountain (1111) 2006-10-22 2:49

Hi Adam,
What a beautiful country and your picture is marvellous !
TFS
Amicalement - Michel

deblink (2548) 2006-10-22 4:29

Hello Adam,
Firstly congratulations on your marriage. Then congratulations on the photo. Other members have said everything there is to say, shame the waterline is not level but we won't worry about that. Thank you so much for sharing.
Cheers,
Debbie

vincz (19113) 2006-10-22 5:04

Beutiful picture, magnificent light resulting in so wonderful colours and such a quality in the picture. Excellent job!

fjufju (335) 2006-10-22 5:09

Hi Adam,
really beautiful, northern landscape.
Regards,
Jan

sebinho342 (19329) 2006-10-22 8:33

AWESOME PICTURE
That's the kind of picture i would love to be able to do before i die ;)
TREMENDOUS

blue-velvet30 (6524) 2006-10-22 10:04

Hi Adam!
So beautiful!! Great colors, wonderful composition and fantastic shot. Brawo!
regards
Dorota

fayeulle (27827) 2006-10-22 11:07

Hi Adam
This rainbow is very well captured here in this fantastic landscape. The stones in the foreground add a pig impact to this picture.
Cheers
JP

servin (474) 2006-10-22 14:28

bonsoir adam,
sublime compsition naturelle.les pierres en avant plan , l'arc en ciel , la lumi鑽e, la couleur du ciel ,le tout est parfait .
belle r騏ssite.
merci pour le partage.
amicalement vinciane

Signal-Womb (13048) 2006-10-22 15:37

I must say Adam, this is really a succesful shot! Fantastic low point of view gives some details to the foreground and makes the perspective very dynamic. Very good lighting and beautiful weather situation! Superb..

AROBN54 (11475) 2006-10-22 16:08

Extraordinary shot!! Congratulations on your marriage and on this fantastic shot!! Good things come to those who wait and this time it surely did. Thanks so much!! Shelly

peco85 (921) 2006-10-22 19:16

:)

What can I say that others haven't?

Have a nice day Adam. Adn continue to share with us:)

PeCO

danielswalsh (13597) 2006-10-22 21:15

By far my favorite of your Canada pics so far Adam!

Amazing composition, amazing colors, amazing detail and levels.
Just one small thing to nit-pick on an otherwise awesome shot Adam:
I realise with the 17-40mm lens (I shoot with the same setup) that you get the curvature of the horizon- but it does seem that the horizon on the left is lower then the horizon on the right.

VERY well done Adam- you are the color version of Ansel Adams!
Regards,
- Dan

cam (9043) 2006-10-22 23:12

Hi Adam
I do not have enough superlative looking at this gem.
Take care.
Charles

howardc (331) 2006-10-23 3:12

Wow, what a beautiful shot! What else can i say. That's why you're on my favorites list. Great work.

luisafonso (862) 2006-10-23 10:41

This is a wonderful photo Adam, one of your best from the latest posts. The quality of your shots is always impressive, but this one really stands out. The light is very good here. The combination of dark and white clouds tell me that you captured this really in the decisive moment. Probably you should have ticked that category too... Anyway, that's the secret of all good photography and landscape is no exception. Nice foreground interest achieved by those shiny rocks. The semi-polarized effect is very good and throws in a good light in the middle layer of the photo. Then, there is the beautiful rainbow in the background and the golden light bathed greens on the bottom of the mountain. Perfect! It's really an awesome balanced composition. A great photo indeed!

kittyhawk (1802) 2006-10-23 12:33

Hello Adam,

Really nice photo, I really like the composition and the clear colors. The rainbow very nice to rest ones eyes on. (Might there be a pot of gold at the end of it..?)

- Halgeir

placombe (7715) 2006-10-23 18:48

Hi Adam
What can I say. Wonderful shot with great depthness and a nice rainbow in bonus.
Pierre

Rodrigues (1035) 2006-10-31 5:47

Another piece of art Adam. You have everything on this one. I don't care for the details, for me this photo is perfect.

You really make me wish going to Canada :-)

pady (4800) 2006-10-31 15:17

Very impresive shot. Well composed with the stones in foreground. yiou were lucky to be so persistant because you captured one of the most beautiful picture I've seen these ast days on TE.
Very good one.
Cheers
Pierre-Andr�

lucinka (9976) 2006-11-03 10:45

Adam, welcome back!! Even I've just returned from fabulous trip myself, I am getting bit jealous seeing such a great shot from Canadian Rockies as it is definitely one of the places I want to go back and not only once. Your photo is great proof why. Majestic landscape and if you have enough patience, fabulous photos. Great shot !!! Lucie

jdomingues (686) 2006-11-27 8:17

Hi Adam! First of all, Congratulations and much happiness for you two! :)
The photo, well, WOW, what a shot! A little bit of preserverence and another of luck and you got yourself this beautiful rainbow. This is one of true beauty... Regards.

Jo縊 Domingues

nmess (2301) 2007-02-02 19:03

Whoa.. this is huge Adam... only one little criticism. The horizon is a bit tilted.

fijiphil (1355) 2007-04-21 16:42

Looks like I'm giving you points 99 and 100 for this photo. It deserves another 100.

Horizon looks a bit wonky but I guess it's an illusion caused by the slope of the mountain... isn't it? :-)

BobsterLobster (1417) 2007-06-05 10:24

OMG, that is really quite stunning! I hope you did more on your honeymoon than lug photo equipment around...

Dazed (89) 2007-09-10 5:16

Shot in a million this and so definately worth waiting for! I love the contrast of the colours with the dark sky reflected in the clear water, the DOF, composition and everything else about it. Thanks for sharing it
regards Michelle

naturegirl99 (51) 2009-08-18 11:59

Stunning, Adam! My first day on TE, so to come across your skillful work right off the top is a true pleasure. I will most definitely be looking for more of your lovely work.

Tracker (1942) 2009-08-18 12:05

Hi Adam! Great picture. Becides of layers, weather, rainbow etc, I really inspired by the water colour. Thanks.
Denis

happybuddha (25) 2010-03-20 23:31 [Comment]

Show Comment

vapaakallio (45) 2010-07-14 11:19

Just perfect! Nice job, really nice.

photoxtreme (1335) 2010-07-14 11:41

spettacolo della natura,complimenti per l'ottima inquadratura e istante colto

ciao,
Mirko

gmg (4202) 2010-07-15 4:58

Beautiful landscape, nice composition and colors, with the plus of that stunning rainbow!
TFS
gmg