Murphy Hektner, APSA
August 2026 - Cross Country Skiers
Original
About the Image(s)
DATA: Nikon D700 --- Nikon 24-70 @ 44mm --- ISO 200 --- 1/400 @ f/14 --- Hand held --- Post processed in Elements.
Maker's Comments: Photographed at Mt. Baker Ski Area in early morning sun lighting. Was in the right place at the right time to photograph the 3 cross country skiers which added a human-interest aspect to the snow scene.
7 comments posted
This is a very nice landscape image. It has a good balance between the foreground and the sky. The strong shadows in the foreground really give the image impact. The cool tone also helps the feel of the image. I wouldn't change anything in this image. Posted: 08/08/2026 20:39:14
Hey Murphy. A great catch and composition. Love the skiers to really give you the sense of scale. Contrary to Charles, I might want to see some warmer highlights while keeping the shadows cool. Otherwise nicely done. Posted: 08/09/2026 20:19:25
Hi Ed: Thanks for your positive comments. I did take your advice and warmed the snow just a smidge and I think it helped remove the starkness. The snow looks much like the warmer toned sunlit snow in the original. I selected out small areas to work on and backed off on the saturation just a small amount and left the shadows the same. Thanks for the tip. Posted: 08/10/2026 04:38:25
Beautiful scenery and well toned. I think the picture suffers a bit from a lack of subject, my eye wants to go everywhere and doesn't settle in any spot. I would consider cropping strongly from the left, right and bottom. That makes the skiers more prominent and the bright area they are silhouetted against the focal point of the picture. Posted: 08/17/2026 19:35:05
Hi Sheldon: Pleased you liked the overall scene, it was meant to be a territorial view. I have other images closer in that feature the cross country skiers I will share in some future rounds. They tell a different story. Posted: 08/18/2026 18:39:05
Murphy, black and white - what a wonde4rful situation to show. The sunshine brongs out the white snow much more better. I like the persons in the middleground. They are giving a feeling of the depth of the picture! Congrats! Posted: 08/17/2026 20:33:59
Hi Peter: Thank you for your very positive comments, very much appreciated.
Probably what I refer to as a "lifetime" image. It had snowed 12" over night so the trees were flocked with new snow, then to catch the 3 cross country skier to add that human interest element to the scene. The the early morning sunlight added that final touch. It does not happen like that every day. Posted: 08/18/2026 18:51:41
Probably what I refer to as a "lifetime" image. It had snowed 12" over night so the trees were flocked with new snow, then to catch the 3 cross country skier to add that human interest element to the scene. The the early morning sunlight added that final touch. It does not happen like that every day. Posted: 08/18/2026 18:51:41