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I hope you enjoy the simplicity in the photograph that accompanies this week’s blog. My mentors have always told me to keep it simple, otherwise the photograph becomes too busy and those who observe it will have difficulty in understanding what you want to convey. So today I am presenting a simplified black and white photograph of the Potato Patch Lift at Wintergreen Resort in Nelson County, Virginia.

What am I trying to convey in this photograph? First, it’s winter. The photograph was taken early in the morning before the slopes opened, hence there are no people on the snow to distract from the overall theme. Second, converting the photograph to black and white makes the ice on the trees next to the lift house pop; and because of such you may be able to get a better sense of how cold it is. The combination of the lack of people and the ice on the branches, contribute to a theme of serenity on a cold winter’s day.

For me, this photograph brings to mind of my favorite time of the year when I can do what I love to do – ski and teach skiing. But more than that, like I said above it shows a tranquil winter scene. The crowds have not come yet. All is quiet albeit is it is the lull before the storm.

What I like most about this photograph is the dark sky. The photograph was taken in bright sunlight in a cloudless sky using a circular polarizing filter. The filter will render an already blue sky even more so. In post processing I converted the photograph to black and white and implemented a high contrast red filter. There was a time when you would mount such a filter on the camera. But adding it digitally gives me more control. Such are the differences in work flow between film and digital capture.

So now that I have told you how I feel when I look at this photograph, I would appreciate your feedback. What does this photograph do for you? It is nothing but a dumb photograph, or is there something more? You can provide feedback by clicking on the “Add Comment” radio button. If you wish you message to be private, you can do so by selecting the “Private Comment” button.

Always love, and have a great week.