David Halgrimson, APSA  

The Bench by David Halgrimson, APSA

April 2026 - The Bench

April 2026 - David Halgrimson, APSA

Original

About the Image(s)

Taken just a day ago in northern MN. Ice still on the lakes, but starting to open, and the eagles are starting to fish in the open waters. This lake is big, 207 square miles, 132,516 acres, and you can’t see across it in most places.

I stopped as I saw eagles on the ice near the shore. I got great shots of them, but they didn't work well in b&w. Found this area with a bench sitting way out on a bay. I liked the leading line curving out to the bench.

Taken with an Olympus EM1 MKIII with an Olympus 7-14 wide-angle lens at 14mm. 1/4000th sec, f/2.8, ISO 200.

Processed in LR with minor adjustments in the Basic panel and 9 masks over 9 areas within the image. Converted to B&W in Silver Efex using preset #24, added a vignette and #10 border.

9 comments posted

Paul Hoffman   Paul Hoffman
I can only give this the beast complement I can. I wish I had taken this.
It makes me want to sit there with a flask of sweet coffee and sit and watch. So tranquil and so well produced. I don't even mind all the white foam in the foreground. It all sit so well. This image would do you well and would get a high score off me. That is a beautiful conversion from that original. Well done.   Posted: 04/07/2026 10:01:08
David Halgrimson   David Halgrimson
Thanks Paul, BTW it's not foam it's snow, and dang cold it was. The lake is still frozen over with a little open water around the shore line. However it would be a great place to sit in the summer.   Posted: 04/07/2026 20:06:47
Paul Hoffman   Paul Hoffman
Now you say snow I realise, sorry. Still jut a wonderful image.   Posted: 04/08/2026 06:36:14
Bob Rickert   Bob Rickert
Very nice image, David. Nice use of foreground and background!
Have you tried the composition with the bench lower in the scene?
I feel like I am getting pulled from the water and from the snow at the same time.
Just a thought, but very nice image.   Posted: 04/10/2026 19:56:37
David Halgrimson   David Halgrimson
I did try putting the bech lower but I thought that created way too much negative space with the sky being prominent.   Posted: 04/10/2026 20:32:10
Bob Rickert   Bob Rickert
I like the image as it is!   Posted: 04/10/2026 20:50:14
Vincent Cochain   Vincent Cochain
Great image David, and great conversion in B&W. It works very well.
I agree with both comments. Use of foreground and background. The place os the bak is good for me. Lower as you answered is not only a problem of negative space, but you should have cut the snow and it is better not to do.
The bank makes the image, no bank, no image. Just great.
It is the place of quiet and peace.   Posted: 04/12/2026 18:24:11
Mary Ann Carrasco   Mary Ann Carrasco
David, what a nice view it is from where you took this image. My eye wanders from the snow, then along the curve to the bench and to the great contrast in the sky. I agree with Paul...I want to go sit there with a very hot coffee!   Posted: 04/12/2026 21:41:53
Paul Smith   Paul Smith
Larry Treadwell ( Group 36 )once remarked that "every photo should tell a story". I have taken that to heart. Your image has a story...and I think it is about the bench. Your bench seems to be out in the middle of nowhere. It is remote, seemingly desolate! So why would anyone use it? What is the appeal of this lonely bench? I really like how you have placed the storm clouds, the water and the bench together.
This photo reminds me of a scene in the movie, "The French Lieutenant's Woman"
Nice job, here   Posted: 04/16/2026 17:10:56

 

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