It is February, the month of love. So, what better than finding a heart in the middle of Siberia? Believe it or not, the heart is not digitally added, but it truly is a gas bubble under the ice of Lake Baikal, taken last February. This was sunrise, about 5 degrees fahrenheit out on the ice in a section of 'clear ice' frozen down about 5 to 6 meters thick. In the summer when the ice melts, they say you can drop a penny and watch it sink for over a minute.
The photo is an HDR of 3 images with some color grading to try and balance the sky with the shadows around the ice. I used a very small aperture to get as much in focus as possible. Since the sunrise was already quite bright, I also brought the ISO down to 50. There is quite a bit of snow dust on the ice, some of which I removed, but otherwise, nothing was added to the image. I added a jpg of the original 'before' image to show what it looked like before editing.
Camera: Sony a7r3
Lens: Tamron 17-28mm f2.8
Focal Length: 21mm
Exposure: 1/100 sec at f / 18
ISO: 50
7 comments posted
Ian Cambourne
Great use of the available elements in this image Matt. Superb depth by using foreground and background elements together with f18. Just in my humble opinion, I feel that the pinks are a little over done for me. While I acknowledge those colours do exist when the sun is low, it seems a little unnatural to me. Posted: 02/09/2021 02:29:45
Janos Demeter
I was also on the Baikal last February and beginning of March. Maybe we even saw each other. Nice place and indeed a nice image. I like taking sunrises and sunsets, but so far I am not happy even with HDR-s, there is too much difference between the sun and all other parts of the image. I plan to try the graduated ND filters. Posted: 02/13/2021 23:59:14
Matt Conti
I remember seeing some of your Lake Baikal images from last year. I bet our vans crossed somewhere on the lake. Weren't we lucky to be out there before the world shutdown! Posted: 02/16/2021 04:41:13
Debbie Bates
Beautiful images, unique to find the air bubble just in the right shape for Feb. Good catch. Great leading line into the image. Posted: 02/14/2021 10:58:48
Dave Ficke
Matt -
Wow what a great shot and how fortunate to find a heart gas bubble - way cool.
I tend to agree that maybe a bit much on the pink but a stunning image! Posted: 02/15/2021 17:32:54
Sherry Icardi
I just love that heart bubble! And the image is is as unique as the heart. Like your leading lines (ice cracks spreading out are a fun way to lead into the horizon) and the sun low on the horizon. I would mute the pink a tad but that is your decision not mine! Posted: 02/17/2021 13:47:59
Peter Cheung
Great capture and wonderful image. The bubble of heart is amazing, and the colors are beautiful. The composition after you cropped the image is beautiful also. I agree that the pink looks a little bit over done, but is still a stunning image. Posted: 02/18/2021 01:08:23
