It was the last hour of the day on Saturday, the wind howling, the temperature was 4 degrees Fahrenheit and a windchill of -16 degrees. Frost was covering some of our windows. The coldest night so far this winter and the forecast for Sunday was a high of 12 degrees Fahrenheit. While most people were probably sleeping at that hour, I was wide awake. The perfect opportunity to make some macro images of the frost! The darkness of night made for a perfect black background. Inside the lights were turned off and using my headlamp, I illuminated the frost covered window.
Early the next morning as night was turning to day, I rose still thinking of the frost covered window. The window had more frost as it was now just 1 degree Fahrenheit and a windchill of -21. The soft light was too much to resist and I set up my camera to make more images of the frost. The frost looked like plants and my husband said it looked like tiny ferns. After making several images, I stopped and made some coffee. While pondering on whether to bundle up and go out for breakfast, the sun had risen high enough to illuminate the frost and it was sparkling.
My tripod was still in front of the window, grabbing my camera again, I worked quickly to capture this beautiful light. Although the golden hour was over, the sunlight in winter is soft and it was coming through the window at an angle. The beautiful side light added texture to the delicate sparkling frost covered window.
Below is a gallery of images of the frost covered window I made, with the exception of the image made at night, all are color images. I continue to embrace the season and look for beauty!
In the fall of 2013 I spent five weeks here in Southeast Iowa shooting autumn color, or at least the color I could find that year. Lacey-Keosauqua State Park was on my list of places to photograph. I had seen an image of a stone bridge and wanted to make my own. As it turns out, it is my favorite black and white photo and certainly a favorite from that trip. Now that it is winter, my mind envisioned photographing the same bridge in a different season. We only have a small amount of snow and it has been melting the last few days. Rain is expected today and tomorrow and will probably wash away the remaining snow. Not knowing if another chance to photograph this beautiful stone bridge with snow would come my way, I set off yesterday to see what images could be made.
Stone bridge at Lacey-Keosauqua State Park
Quite the surprise to find how much ice was in the parking area near the stone bridge. And the dry creek was now full of water and covered with ice, although too thin to stand on. My plan to shoot as similar a composition as before was not an option. And that’s okay, although that plan will still be on my mind. While processing this image, I played with a color version, a black and white version and even a split-tone version. I decided on the color version. I noticed one of the trees that was in my photo from two years ago is now gone. Unfortunate as it was very light in color and a great contrast to that dark tree directly behind the bridge.
Icicles hanging from the rock ledges at Lacey-Keosauqua State Park
The rock ledges on the hillsides had huge icicles hanging from them. It was about 30 or 32 degrees and I was hearing icicles break and fall. Concerned I may get struck on the head with an icicle my time photographing in this beautiful park was cut short.
Beautiful tree with dark bark and soft curvy limbs in winter.
Before packing up my gear, a tree caught my attention. Not only due to the bark being darker that the surround trees, but the soft curves of the limbs. My mind envisioned a black and white image to show the contrast of the dark bark, pure white snow and the soft curves of the limbs.
The road leading to this location of the park is hilly and curvy. While driving back the way I came, I was looking for potential images. The trees are very tall and create an arch above the road. Had there been more snow on the trees I would have stopped. However, something did make me stop my vehicle right in the middle of the road. Not one, but two does foraging in the middle of the day! I put my vehicle in park, turned on my hazard lights and grabbed my camera out my bag. They were still standing there, looking at me as if saying “hurry up, we’re posing for you!” My 50 mm lens was attached to my camera and I knew there wouldn’t be time to change to a longer lens. I would just have to see what I could get. Quickly adjusting my camera settings to what I hoped would make a decent image and removing the circular polarizer filter, I got out of my vehicle. They stayed and stared at me. Then taking a few steps closer, I made more images. My camera was set to continuous mode and I just held the shutter open. Then one of the deer was spooked as I took a few more steps closer and ran off. One remained and she allowed me to take a few more steps and make more images. Then they both ran off into the woods. A bonus image to end my day!
A doe foraging alongside the road in Lacey-Keosauqua State Park.
You can click on any of the images below to see a larger version.
Stone Bridge at Lacey-Keosauqua State Park
Icicles hanging from the rock ledges at Lacey-Keosauqua State Park
Beautiful tree with dark bark and soft curvy limbs in winter
A doe foraging alongside the road in Lacey-Keosauqua State Park
It was the last hour of the day on Saturday, the wind howling, the temperature was 4 degrees Fahrenheit and a windchill of -16 degrees. Frost was covering some of our windows. The coldest night so far this winter and the forecast for Sunday was a high of 12 degrees Fahrenheit. While most people were probably sleeping at that hour, I was wide awake. The perfect opportunity to make some macro images of the frost! The darkness of night made for a perfect black background. Inside the lights were turned off and using my headlamp, I illuminated the frost covered window.
Early the next morning as night was turning to day, I rose still thinking of the frost covered window. The window had more frost as it was now just 1 degree Fahrenheit and a windchill of -21. The soft light was too much to resist and I set up my camera to make more images of the frost. The frost looked like plants and my husband said it looked like tiny ferns. After making several images, I stopped and made some coffee. While pondering on whether to bundle up and go out for breakfast, the sun had risen high enough to illuminate the frost and it was sparkling.
My tripod was still in front of the window, grabbing my camera again, I worked quickly to capture this beautiful light. Although the golden hour was over, the sunlight in winter is soft and it was coming through the window at an angle. The beautiful side light added texture to the delicate sparkling frost covered window.
Different Isn't Wrong, It's Just Different 