Fugue, a photo from South Dakota, Midwest

Photographer's Note

Prelude

Lake Mitchell
Mitchell, South Dakota

A few moments after my previous post. My last sunrise and sunset for a bit .. I promise : P

I was so pleased watching the rays of the previous post .. I had actually walked back across the bridge to shoot the creek then turned around to see that the light evolved one more wonderful step just before the sun broke above the clouds. I raced back across the bridge to the narrow walkway on the lake margin side .

Awaiting the sunrise here with my camera has turned into a ritual whenever I return home for a visit. I have found that the "fishing bridge" at the lake margin where Firesteel Creek enters Lake Mitchell is my favorite vantage point.

This was not a silent moment .. The bugs had awakened .. It is so much more humid here than Colorado .. I forget what swarms of mosquitos are like .. if anything there were more feasting swallows darting in and over and under the bridge than mosquitos .. A large number of my shots contained numerous blurred birds.

I think of South Dakota in three geographic regions .. In the far west are the very distinctive Black Hills ... The rest of the state is divided by the Missouri River .. "West River" is a dry land of large cattle ranches, Indian reservations, and badlands. "East River" (where I grew up .. and this is shot) is like a little cousin to neighboring Minnesota .. humid farmland pocketed by an infinite number of lakes.

It is always sad to me that with all the natural beauty I find in South Dakota the whole tourist industry of the state is centered on kitsch tourist traps designed to snare the traveler on the way to Mount Rushmore ..

Which Fugue? .. I think the D# minor from book 1 of Das Wohltemperierte Clavier. A very special piece to me. Especially the Glen Gould recording.

I didn't notice while watching in person .. but as soon as I opened this in photoshop I saw a butterfly .,. and now I can't shake the image.

John

lctan, clio, stego, plimrn, Atousa, snunney, Photo65Net, jhm, IgorDeleze, feather, pboehringer, Cricri, Angelillo, dip, fulvio52, rigoletto, xuaxo, Charo, vbbreizh, ak47apache, elihesamian, gunbud, kmarscher, jaywalker, Shoot_Score, Karmenu has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

bruce_wayne (1507) 2007-09-09 13:58

Hi John!
Great effect! Red light is very good and it made an incredible atmosphere...almost by werewolf...!!

Alessandro

NikoFantom (165) 2007-09-09 14:04

Zdravo John
Fantasticen moment,fantasticna fotografija, odlicni boi, kontrast, definicija,odsjaj.
Pozdrav Niko Macedonia

lctan (1061) 2007-09-09 14:14

hi john,

great shot. very calm atmosphere, beautiful colours and viewpoint. The photo seems very smooth, has it gone through any software processing or is this the original look?
tfs
LC

tomaszmarcinek (1507) 2007-09-09 14:28

Don't worry, this is an un-kitschtisch sunset, to be sure. The mood is there plus the edges of the clouds reflecting the red light seem unreal. Very well you keep postinmg those. Thanks for the note, too. Wishes, Tom.

dainjaaks (88) 2007-09-09 14:31

Hey! This is the ideal moment to capture the event! Those red rays.. Belissimo. I like the very calm atmosphere!

Keep it real!

clio (27961) 2007-09-09 14:36

Bonsoir John
Merveilleux instants avant la nuit. Cette barre sombre qui s廧are la lumi鋨e fait une tr鋊 belle composition. Moment de calme ...magique!

Magnificent moments before night. This bar sinks which separates the light makes a very beautiful composition. Moment of magic peace!
Regards
Diane

stego (24132) 2007-09-09 18:04

Hi John,
Wow!... I got speechless for a moment while looking at it... I though that such wonderful images could only be achieved by skilled pros specialised in disk covers, posters and religious and romantic postcards. :D (Please don't get offended with the irony, it is actually a compliment).
Regards, Jos�.

Giis (258) 2007-09-09 20:14

Hello John, please if you get this kind of sunrises and sunsets, dont stop doing this. Your shot is too clean, those rays are amazing, TFS the environment where you took it.
I dont like the butterflies, except for their color of wings, but this one is the best.
Regards.
Gisela.

plimrn (21344) 2007-09-09 22:02

Hi John,
This is just stunning; like a huge pink butterfly!! I did write that comment before I read your note!! That light is is so fleeting, it just makes one crazy trying to capture it. How smart of you to have defined the perfect place to capture the light. HLJ, Pat

Atousa (7131) 2007-09-09 23:15

Salam John,
WoW...I really like this lovely butterfly of light...I wish I had discovered it myself :)
Best Wishes,
AtousA

jafadabret (56501) 2007-09-09 23:23

John, c'est une photo tout en couleurs qui rejoint la peinture. J'aime les rouges et les bleus profonds qui ressortent sur le noir. Excellent travail.
Jacques

snunney (130967) 2007-09-10 1:38

Hello John,
A magnificent atmosphere to this wonderful image. Extraordinary light and tones.

Photo65Net (43144) 2007-09-10 3:56

John,
When you saw such a colorful sky, you may have pray to have the batteries and memory card in your camera to catch it !
So beautiful, so great to see too the reflections.
Regards,
JB.

evanrizo (462) 2007-09-10 4:23

Hi John, a really stunning moment and result.
It can be also as a big photo on a wall.
Best wishes.
Evan
later...

jhm (211738) 2007-09-10 5:01

Hi John,

I think that I a little bit fantasia shall have to have for see the butterfly, but I shall search for to the butterfly.
I like this wonderful image with a specially the lighting and colours. Thanks for sharing.

Have a nice day,
John.

claudio74 (7263) 2007-09-10 6:14

Hi John
Xhat a mystic picture of this beautiful ray of light.
A great moment well captured
Well done
regards from the Alps
Claude

IgorDeleze (585) 2007-09-10 6:38

Hello John,
WOW!!
Incredible low light picture!
The result is just amazing.
Greetings.
Igor

feather (51130) 2007-09-10 7:12

Yes! I see the butterfly with it's huge orange wings. Studying butterflies is one of the ways to teach young children about symmetry.
I don't think I've ever seen such huge sunbeams and then to have them in sunrise colours and reflected in a lake! Pure magic; no wonder the musician in you wants to put the view to music.
Kath.

pboehringer (770) 2007-09-10 9:26

So John, this is the visual of "Das Wohltemperierte Klavier in D# minor". You hit the head's nail with this image. Truly beautiful and as long as you present us with such high standing sunrises or sunsets shots I won't care. This is true melody. I was asking me what the mosquitos were doing in this composition. Probably the staccato fortissimo ... ;-)
Great shot!
Regards, Peter

Cricri (176) 2007-09-10 10:03

Hi John,
Un moment fantastique et bien capter, jolis rayons de feu du soleil ce copient dans l'eau sombre du lac, belle r嶧lisation
Friendship
cricri

Angelillo (9374) 2007-09-10 13:15

Hi John,

These magnificent colors, these lines in the sky.. is beautiful like a kaleidoscope! Great choice of POV. Really beautiful, full of peace and calm... Thanks.

Greetings,
Angel.

dip (21408) 2007-09-10 13:20

Excellent image John!
Impressive colors,great POV,
very well done,
Greetings,
Dimitris.

fulvio52 (8314) 2007-09-10 15:08

Wow, this is One Stunning Catch!
Sunrises are definitely one of your trademarks too! I figured this one was shot in RAW with soft settings (excellent and very interesting choice), before reading your reply to Ictan.
Once again : wonderful shot!
My compliments.

Hugs,
Fulvio.

AROBN54 (11475) 2007-09-10 16:17

Hello, John,
This is wonderous. Breathtaking view, fabulous colors. I love that red light outlining the clouds and the rays of light coming from behind. The calm, peaceful feel to it. I envy you that moment. Beautifully done!! Warmest wishes,
Shelly

utkue (3420) 2007-09-10 23:45

Hello John,
İncredibble and very impressive shot.
Sunrise lightness and colours are wonderfull in this photo.
Congratulations.
Best regards from Ankara and have a nice week.

brevbrev14 (140) 2007-09-11 3:10

Hi John, you have captured a particular moment here...
i agree with you about the butterfly...
normally landscapes are not my fav. subjects..but this one is very good and original..
bravo!
ciao!
Valeria

bracasha75 (24591) 2007-09-11 6:01

Hello John
One more with excellent colors...
I,m happy to see once like this
Cheers,Braca

Malyshev (2522) 2007-09-11 13:48

Wonderful!!!!
Real magic shot!
Yuri

Graal (103040) 2007-09-11 23:37

Hi John,
amazing and fantastic view. Very nice palette of colours, good composition and interesting note. Well done photo.
Gr., Aleksander

zeca (19762) 2007-09-12 18:47

Wow John! What a nice moment the Mother Nature gaves to you! The colours are beautiful and that rays are amazing!
Regards,
Zeca
BBack

danyy (0) 2007-09-12 23:32

Bonjour John,
aussi belle que le pr嶰嶮ente, sans doute un peu plus reposante vu que le ciel est plus uniforme.
Excellente gestion de lumi鋨es difficiles et tr鋊 belles couleurs.
Regards.
Daniel.

woladorsky (806) 2007-09-13 4:22

John!!

I can hear Bach in my head while looking at yur incredible picture! Just great moment of the light!!

regards
from Eritrea

Rolando

jurek1951 (42198) 2007-09-14 3:00

Hi John,
The composition is great, colours and light very beautiful,very nice nature picture,well done,
Georg

rigoletto (34279) 2007-09-14 4:56

A prelude but not a toccata for this one?
I guess Mr. Bach would propose you as the Kapellmeister of TE after this magical dedication.

D# minor, tonality of mystery. So thoughtfully selected....
Cheers John,
Deniz

jackart (6702) 2007-09-14 13:10

Hi John!

I saw big number of sunsets ( On TE and not only) but Your picture is extraordinary. I very like this great show on the sky! Excellent colors and amazing strange effect I've never seen before.

Well done!

Regards
Jacek

xuaxo (6854) 2007-09-15 15:56

Hi John,
Also amazing, despite I prefer the previous.
Regards. F.

mzmehr (918) 2007-09-15 21:15

Hi John,
Great use of simetric and depth in this one. diference in colors are attractive and made a nice atmosphere.

thanks for sharing
Mohammad

vbbreizh (2622) 2007-09-16 6:04

Hi John!
Waouh !..Beautiful capture,
very nice colors, amazing shot !..
Best regards, Gilles

Charo (51290) 2007-09-17 1:40

Hola John,
Bell疄ima foto con unos colores fant嫳ticos y una atm鏀fera muy especial.
Felicitaciones.
Cordialmente
Charo

ak47apache (217) 2007-09-17 6:51

UNBELIVEBEL!!!!!!!!!!!

superb picture with a special mood. TFS

all the best, dany

elihesamian (26149) 2007-09-18 12:47

John,
This is wonderful,what a moment you was there !
Full of mystry,a poetic mystry,a lovely poetic,a deep lovely and a pure beauty of the nature,amazing colors and tonalities,very well captured and composed,very attractive,great one,nicely done John,
Best Wishes
M

gunbud (34066) 2007-09-21 18:08

Hi John,
Very clear focus and excellent use of low light. The red sky radiates above and below the tree line it reflects evenely along with the blue night sky.
Regards, Tom

alentejo (1954) 2007-09-22 3:15

Very nice rays John.
At the right place at the right moment !
I saw the butterfly as well...
Best regards

Merline (0) 2007-09-22 6:29

John,

a splendid ode to the beauty of nature. I don't know what more to say, right now. Not in line with TOS this remark I know:-)

TFS
Mich鋩e

kmarscher (2887) 2007-09-25 19:47

Yes, a bit of a Rorschach test, I believe. Great reference to Bach and the exsquisite playing of Gould.

The sunrise is unusually blue and the landform in silhouette is well rendered. A magical place for you, full of sensory images, comes through in this astonishing shot.

Regards,
Kathy

captainsgirl (3450) 2007-09-26 8:18

Hi John,
wow.....amazing moment, the colors are spectacular...a butterfly..yes...I see it too...TFS this ...
Donna:o)

jaywalker (16105) 2007-09-26 13:10

Hi John, A lovely mirror image, the light is excellent & the colours are stunning, the rays spreading out from the centre are amazing, the silhouette sandwiched in the middle is perfect, kind regards Wilson.

Leilani (1385) 2007-09-28 17:59

Hi John, this is beautiful. I too see a butterfly now that I've read your note! You've caught the rays beautifully. Nicely saturated. Rgds, Leilani

Shoot_Score (650) 2007-09-29 15:56

""Don't know why I missed this. Wonderful tones .. great mood with the shadowed shoreline.""

John, I do know actually! I had misplaced yer "handle" and somehow lost track of it! I will send a note so we can e-msg also!

I also like this shot enough to add it to my theme as well!

take care,

Jay

PS WE need to talk abt SD! As well as that Klavier! And Glenn Gould! Eh!

anniejo (0) 2007-09-29 20:44

LOVELY!!!
You have captured a FABulous photo!!!

Thanks for sharing this beauty!!!!

Karmenu (1408) 2007-10-14 13:16

Wow! Wonderful!
I was lucky to explore the beuty of your collection.
Excellent captures and always an interesting description.
Really nice. Thanks a lot.
Have a nice week.
Charles

clic (76) 2007-10-23 12:34

Hello John
You attended to a moment of grace and you captured it with great mastery; no Photoshop filter can match that virtuosity from Above!
Best regards.
Robert

MichaelTrezzi (3374) 2008-11-13 10:56

Hello John, wonderful sun set. Compared with the previous one I would say, it is softer and symetrical. I like the contrast of the darkenss with the shining edges of the clouds. It symbolizes for a the word "peace". Well done. Thanks for sharing. Kind regards, Michael

Photo Information

Copyright: John McLaird (jmcl) (14535)
Genre: 地方
Medium: 彩色
Date Taken: 2007-09-02
Categories: 自然
Camera: Olympus E 300
Exposure：f/5.6, 1/60 seconds
Photo Version：Original Version
Theme(s)：Waxing & Waning, Solar, Lunar, Stellar Shows, Lakes, Dawn and Sunset, Malignant Narcissism [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2007-09-09 13:56
Favorites：1 [view]