Bright Memory of August, a photo from South Dakota, Midwest

Photographer's Note

Bright Memory of August

Sylvan Lake
Custer State Park
the Black Hills
South Dakota

Another shot from my early morning walk around Sylvan Lake.
My favorite place in the Black Hills. I first visited here on a cross Hills hiking and camping trip in my teens. I had wanted to return with a camera for a long time. My first morning of vacation I got up as early as I could and hurried down the road for a quiet walk around the lake.

My summer break is over .. had to return to a very tumultuous and difficult time at work .. August is a fond memory that draws me back when I get a moment of peace.

isabela_sor, robertosalguero, afshin339, fulvio52, Cricri, Angelillo, AROBN54, gunbud, john_c, adores, asajernigan, emjleclercq, Graal, Didi, Atousa, jafadabret, Emiel_Skyfreak, pablominto, stego, paura, yogi32 ha contrassegnato questa nota come utile

Critiques | Translate

aadilj (18102) 2007-08-27 22:45

thats a very beautiful and very vivid landscape shot with all of nature's textures woven r so wonderfully together

Hellas (7113) 2007-08-27 23:12

Hi John,
I like very much this scene! I like also your desire for walking early in the morning. This is so beautiful! I suppose you used a tripod for taking this photo from that low point, did you?
Thanks a lot for sharing.
Fondest regards,
Athanasios.

afshin339 (306) 2007-08-27 23:17

Hi Dear John
This is an amazing shot.Beautiful reflections in water and wonderful colors and composition.I'm sure this lake is very beautiful place.with your shots I know this place and this is the most important score of TE.I sit behind computer and enjoy Beautiful image and write to my friends in TE.

Thanks for sharing this nice picture for us.
afshin.

mcenteesalas (1618) 2007-08-27 23:26

Hi John, you really captured this one well, beautiful composition and good colours not like some photo we see sometimes where it shows really heavy colours, no, this one is just natural, thank for sharing, regards Salas

isabela_sor (47748) 2007-08-28 0:28

I really dont understand how this water is so calm!!!Here the lake is like a perfect mirror!Good composition,with the rocks in foreground(add a lot of depth)!
All the best

barni (15751) 2007-08-28 0:35

Hello John
Good reflection and great colors.
Congratulation
Christophe

Andro (4) 2007-08-28 1:12

Hi
Very nice shot...Nce composition...Nice colors...

robertosalguero (292) 2007-08-28 1:38

Hello John. This is a mirror under the sky. Great shot with excellent colours and details. The calmness of the water is soothing and I wonder how it can be undisturbed. God light in this peaceful place. Thanks John.

Roberto

claudio74 (7263) 2007-08-28 4:57

Hello John
Perfect reflection,I like the cropping including the rock in foreground.
Well done
regards
Claude

fulvio52 (8314) 2007-08-28 5:30

Hi John,
another incredibly soothing picture. Wonderful colors and shades, in a place to get lost in your thoughts forever.
Thanks for sharing, my friend.

Hugs,
Fulvio.

Cricri (176) 2007-08-28 8:37

Hi John,
Yes, un endroit magnifique
joli effet du miroir du paysage, trés belle couleurs du rocher, joli cadrage avec la transparance de l'eau qui permet de voir les pierrs dans l'eau, belle image
friendship
cricri

bruce_wayne (1507) 2007-08-28 12:10

Hi John!
What water!! That blue is very intense and reflections are great...bravo John!!

Alessandro

Angelillo (9374) 2007-08-28 13:24

Hi John,

The gradiant light from the darkness to the explosion of light and color in the background is really amazing! The shadowy rocks give perspective and depth. The reflection is superb! Very very geautiful! Thanks.

Greetings,
Angel.

zeca (19762) 2007-08-28 14:38

Nice POV, John! The landscape is beautiful and that reflections are really nice. I also like the beautiful lights on that rocks. The dark rocks included in the foreground adds nice DOF. Well taken!
Regards,
Zeca

AROBN54 (11475) 2007-08-28 20:16

Hi, John,
I am a great fan of darker foregrounds and good light in the back. This is beautiful. I like the rocks in the foreground and I can see very well how a place like this could stay in your mind. Glass. Perfect reflections. (in more ways than one, eh?) This picture makes me draw a great sigh and a calming breath. Beautiful job! Warm regards,
Shelly

gunbud (34066) 2007-08-28 20:48

Hi John,
Beautiful vertical shot of this peacful lake that is full of fine elements from top to bottom. Wonderful use of light renders bright brown and green colors that reflection strikingly in the calm water. The grey boulders at the foot of this image contrast beautifully with the calm blue waters.
Regards, Tom

john_c (24666) 2007-08-28 20:58

Hi John,
Well composed with superb lighting. The lake is utterly still and placid, evoking a mood of perfect peace. The foreground rocks help balance. Good use of the vertical format. Cheers.
John

UnTrained (0) 2007-08-28 21:53

Hi John,
wonderful clarity, the lake is like a mirror (have you ironed it ;-) One nice view and a pleasure to this lake again. Warm colours and quietness.
Lieben Gruss, Ulf

dip (23892) 2007-08-28 23:45

Hi John,
nice image with quiet and peaceful atmosphere,amazing colors and very good POV,
well captured,
Dimitris.

evanrizo (462) 2007-08-29 0:27

Wooooow, it is stunning, the reflections give a majestic effect and the angle-point you shot it is ideal with superb colors.
Best wishes.
Evan
later...

jurek1951 (42198) 2007-08-29 1:17

Hi John,
Truly amazing landscape,Very well composed and captured photo. Great colors, details and light.Very well done

jemaflor (135252) 2007-08-29 3:55

Hi John,
Well composed, lovely light on rocks and perfect mirror, tfs.

jrj (34843) 2007-08-29 4:20

Perfect tranquility in this place John. Well disposed compo with top use of the foreground stones. Beatiful setting

kensimage (8563) 2007-08-29 11:19

It's a really nice scene with the golden light and the glass-smooth water, John. I like the fact that the foreground is generally dark to set off the new day visible in the distance, though maybe you could bring out the close rocks a bit more. A great composition for sure--normally you wouldn't want such a big blank space of water, but when it has such a nice gradation of tones, not to mention the reflection, it looks perfect that way. Regards, Ken.

faraujo (1707) 2007-08-29 13:20

Hi John

What calm water...! It create a perfect reflection of the background, the light is quite strong...
Well done and caught
Filipe

batalay (41261) 2007-08-29 17:05

Hello John,

I can fully echo your note. Summer's over. The seasonal nature of academics has brought us back to another year, another generation of undergraduates. And like another group of seasonal workers, grape pickers, the wages are not good. About this photo, it might just be the most dramatic image in your excellent gallery. The deep blue, almost blacke water metamorphoses into an area refleting the brilliantly illuminated cliffs. Absolute pristine, and exquisite.

Warm regards,
Bulent

izmirli (3989) 2007-08-29 17:13

merhaba my friend john
wonderful light and reflections.wonderful nature and landscape.well done.
best regards.
gürkan akçakır.

adores (46979) 2007-08-29 17:37

Hi John!
I keep my opinion about these rocks, they're great with this light. Perfect reflection on the water and a well chosen format. Good work!

asajernigan (21427) 2007-08-29 18:55

John,
Wow!!! What a nice reflection you have captured. Your composition is great including the rocks in the foreground and the fantastic reflection. The reflection creates nice depth and balance for the photo. You have a great eye for composition and detail and it show in all of you great work. I have been enjoying your photography for a while now and just read you bio and realized that you are a music teacher too. I guess this might be why your work appeals to me!? Have a great year at school and keep posting great photos!
TFS,
Asa

darrasin (2860) 2007-08-29 21:35

Hello John! What a peaceful memory you have created and presented to us. I think the ultra-still water helps to create that mood. The composition is wonderful with the foreground rocks anchoring the shot nicely and the far shore of the lake well placed in the upper frame.

TFS
Doug

Angshu (56760) 2007-08-30 0:33

Hello John
I remember this place from your previous post. Truly beautiful landscape & colours, with absolutely perfect mirror reflections. What I like is your placement of the horizon in the frame, with large area of water in the FG & the rocks. Love the transition of colour from the deep blue of the lake to the brilliantly illuminated rocks/cliffs. Well done!
With Regards
Angshu

emjleclercq (15778) 2007-08-30 13:25

An excellent reflection of the rocky shore in th background, but what I prefer most here is the rounded shape of the overall composition, created by the transition from deep dark blue to the lighted part in the background. A beautifull composition.

All the best,

Emmanuel

jaywalker (16105) 2007-08-30 23:50

Hi John. The light is excellent, the shadowed light in the foreground to the bright light behind blends very well, a stunning reflection & brilliant colours, a wonderful landscape view, kind regards Wilson.

vbbreizh (2622) 2007-08-31 9:31

Hi Master,
Once more a nice shot !..
What a beautiful foreground !..
Congratulations,
Regards, Gilles

sothy81 (9646) 2007-08-31 10:08

This is a very beautiful pictur eyou have. I love the light and colors there. Very sharp with that nice reflection. Your inclusion of the stones are the FG is a very good idea. Well done. Sothy

jeanguy (686) 2007-08-31 23:54

Hello John,
wonferful place! Your framing and compo are superb. Miror effect works well. A good job.
Have a good return to work :-))
JG.

danyy (0) 2007-09-01 0:56

Bonjour John,
les reflets sont absolument fabuleux, l'eau est ici un miroir parfait.
Le cadrage avec ces rocs au premier plan est très élaboré, donnant de la profondeur.
Les lumières sont douces, chaudes , leur rendu fidèle.
Très joli coin de nature.

Regards.
Daniel.

Graal (103040) 2007-09-01 2:34

Hi John,
beautiful view, great reflections and colours, excellent composition. I like it. Well done photo.
PS. You have very nice and interesting website.
Gr., Aleksander

ls7902 (7380) 2007-09-01 2:38

Hi John,
A beautiful shot & composition. Very calming. The two rocks in front almost feel like they are floating. Regards. Latiff.

thea0211 (1365) 2007-09-01 2:50

hi john,
am glad you had a beautiful summer and may your autumn be as peaceful as the waters of Sylvan Lake - beautiful indeed, well composed with good perspective - and the sound of stilness.

... talking of sounds, you know i very much like the sounds of water, i find them very relaxing, i often listen to sounds of water - even when i'm not lucky to be near water - like one cd i have with the sounds of Niagara (or so they say :) ... it's a lovely and refreshing experience to me.

take care,
dora

Didi (61587) 2007-09-01 3:56

Hi John
Very bad august for us in France.
Lovely picture who gives a sensation of peace far away from my noisy place.
Well done.
Cheers.

Atousa (7131) 2007-09-01 4:17

Salam John,
What a peaceful place and shot ! so calming ..Its because of the mirror of nature that is seen in 2/3 of this shot..very good choice.
Best wishes,
AtousA

jafadabret (56501) 2007-09-01 8:07

John, c'est une photo d'une très grande beauté. J'aime ces rochers et leurs reflets qui semblent en apesanteur sous le ciel. Puis le bleu clair devient foncé jusqu'au bas de la composition. Les deux rochers du bas mettent un terme à la photo comme une signature.
Jacques

carper (96) 2007-09-01 9:52

marvelous place john,
and you made a very good composition here, there was no wind and you have a fantastic reflection, a good photo and what a light, marvelous shot John, with my compliments, have a nice day.
gr. jaap

brevbrev14 (140) 2007-09-02 4:54

Hi John, a very good reflection and moment...
the nature is fantstic here and the water so calm...a sense of serenity by this place..
very good
Ciao!
Valeria

jonathan_hart (21276) 2007-09-02 5:18

hello John
wonderful place with great light and colours
vertical framing is good with stones in foreground and the beautiful mirror effect in BG
good moment and good composition
great shot
regards
jo

jackart (6702) 2007-09-02 8:16

Hi John!

beautiful lanscape. I very like soft and warm afternoon light and beautiful reflections on the water. Your picture is peacefull, I can hear sound of silence. Amazing colors and sharpness

Regards
Jacek

EOSF1 (1944) 2007-09-02 12:38

Hello John, what a great image with all the reflections, the great light and a very effective composition. Very good work, thanks !

Mario

Emiel_Skyfreak (3002) 2007-09-02 17:36

Hi John,

How are you? hope fine!
Very nice photo, really love the light on the rocks in the distance. The calm water caused very nice reflections..which I always like..but more if it's on calm water!
Fine detail. Also like the rocks in front, as foreground, but I would like to see some more of them. Maybe a few steps back and a lower POV? (don't know if this was possible, the lower aspect)..this would lead to less water in the frame, due to the perspective and more foreground..
Nevertheless, fine work.

My summerbreak is over too now, today I worked again for the first time. Well..since I only work part time..and am on a break for a half year from my study..I;m happy to tell that I still have plenty of time left over..and thus also for TE :)

August was really nice! I bet yours was too?!
Kindest regards,
Emiel.

pablominto (53746) 2007-09-02 22:31

Hello John,
An amazing image!
The image is well comopsed, and the colours are most attractice, the red rock really stands out...
A fine and well balanced composition, good foreground interest and a stunning reflection!
Greetings,
Pablo -

captainsgirl (3450) 2007-09-03 17:14

Hi John!
Wow, what a beautiful peaceful place...the water so calm and the reflections are beautiful. A wonderful August it was. TFS
Donna:o)

stego (24132) 2007-09-04 16:22

Hi John,
Wonderful!
I don't feel like saying anything else...
Regards, José.

placombe (7715) 2007-09-05 18:16

Hi John
Superbbbbbbbbb reflection. Very serene image. I've done a WS.
Pierre

[workshop] [compare]

fserajian (2299) 2007-09-11 13:40

Hi John,

Another excellent shot from your gallery, the calm waters and reflection of the mountains is well captured. TFS

Fara

Malyshev (2522) 2007-09-11 13:50

Great idea!Great picture! Beautiful composition with superb reflection!
Regards!
Yuri

paura (25802) 2007-09-11 19:11

John,
Did you use tripod? Amazing outcome with the Exposure: f/5.0, 1/80 seconds. Excellent composition.

Paulo

woladorsky (806) 2007-09-17 10:36

Cheers John...

wooow!!! I just feel I want to jump inside the picture. The beauty of this one is not only the great composition is the feeling of piece of mind I get when I lokk at it!!

goooood photo

saludos

Rolando

utkue (3420) 2007-09-23 0:39

Hello John,
Sylvan Lake and environment are wonderfull.
Reflection, colours and early morning sunlight are very excellent in this photo.
Congratulations.
Best regards from Ankara and have a nice sunday.
Utku

ayobami (1353) 2007-09-29 11:13

Beautiful still, peaceful scene with excellent colours and good use of foreground which adds depth to the image. Looks like a wonderful place to hike, and doing so in the morning got you a great shot!

erhanterzi (2130) 2007-10-12 13:53

Hello John,
This photograph is soothing.
It is eid al fitr here in Turkey and I wish you peace from Turkey.
Regards
Erhan

JPlumb (3159) 2007-11-26 4:22

Hi John, just taking a stroll through your gallery. This shot is awesome, definitely worth getting up for. The early morning stillness of that lake allowing for that great reflection is incredible. Very nicely captured on your part with very excellent composition, (pulling in those rocks in the foreground), the colour and detail. Very nice!

Thanks, John

Photo Information

Copyright: John McLaird (jmcl) (14535)
Genre: Luoghi
Medium: Colore
Date Taken: 2007-07-31
Categories: Natura
Camera: Olympus E 300, 58mm circular polarizer
Esposizione: f/5.0, 1/80 secondi
Map: view
Versione Foto: Versione Originale, Workshop
Tema(i): favorites.alt, Landscapes, Lakes, Malignant Narcissism, The Black Hills [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2007-08-27 22:36
Preferiti: 2 [vista]