Murphy Hektner, APSA
November 2023 - Design in Frost
About the Image(s)
This frost design formed on a window of my unheated outbuilding. In our Pacific Northwest moderate climate, it rarely gets cold enough for a long enough period of time for this to happen, where it is a common occurrence cold climates.
Here I used my Pentax K10d body with 90mm Tamron Macro lens on tripod (ISO 100, 1/10 sec, f/8) It was clear and 15 degrees. Post processed in Elements
This round’s discussion is now closed!
6 comments posted
A great distinctive pattern well presented. Good composition, and technical work. The blue color on the left side is darker than on the right and I would like to see right side about the same density of blue. Posted: 11/11/2023 16:20:17
Hi Neal: Thanks for your comments on Design in Frost. In post processing I think I can do a little more color blending on the frosted border on each side so they appear exactly the same. Posted: 11/12/2023 01:23:52
Hi Murphy, Frost does make interesting designs and your submission is well captured. The bonus is the natural "stroke" around the well centered abstract patterns. Very well done with great focus on the subject matter. Posted: 11/16/2023 16:38:59
Kudos for "braving the cold" to collect this image. You did a wonderful job with this capture. The composition and exposure were both very effective. Exposure is definitely a challenge with snow and ice, and you mastered it well, here. Since contrast is such a critical element in this presentation, I might suggest increasing the contrast some to darken the blacks between and within the ice patterns. Here you also might consider sharpening the image a bit as this would emphasize the rice crystals as well. In regard to the blue stroke element, I know that you like using adding these elements, but to my eye I don't see how it adds to this presentation. One note - darkening the entire layer some using a curves or levels adjustment layer and then applying a gradient in the mask of the layer might be an effective way of balancing the light as noted earlier. I have attached a version which illustrates my thoughts. Posted: 11/16/2023 18:00:42
Hi Charlie: Thanks for your helpful comments on the frost pattern picture. I will do some tweaking and see what I can come up with.
This picture was photographed during the winter of 2008. We have not had the same winter weather conditions since for these frost designs to form on the shed window. With global warming our winters are not as cold as they once were, so wonder if I will ever have another chance for some new frost design images. Posted: 11/17/2023 03:44:57
This picture was photographed during the winter of 2008. We have not had the same winter weather conditions since for these frost designs to form on the shed window. With global warming our winters are not as cold as they once were, so wonder if I will ever have another chance for some new frost design images. Posted: 11/17/2023 03:44:57
Murphy, your frost pattern is most interesting. I do like the increased contrast within the ice that Charlie illustrated. Posted: 12/01/2023 03:18:21