Visions and Nature Sunny moments in the snow
Posted on December 2, 2013
Sunny moment in the snow
by Kristel Schneider
– A cloudy December Sunday
in the Livradois Forez –
Sometimes the weather is not very motivating to go out with your camera, like last Sunday, the weather was grey and dull.
But I am happy I changed my mind and around 3 pm I drove to the Haut Livradois, not very far from where I live. The temperature was below zero, which made the scenery frosty and cold.
The clouds were hanging low over the trees, many still covered with snow from the heavy snow showers of 2 weeks ago.
What made me happy last Sunday was the fast transformation of the light in the forest landscapes. The thick clouds were moving fast over the forest but when there was a tiny hole, these landscapes got a warm natural filter by the sun. Sometimes just for a few seconds and then the clouds would cover the sky again. These light transformations did not last long at around 4 pm the sky was too thick and dark, no warm sunlight would appear anymore. So even when the weather does not look that great at first, when you have time, go out and just look for the light.
Images taken with Canon 5DMII- 70-200L lens in Auvergne,France.
Photographer in action
Posted on September 1, 2013
Me in Action during a photo-shoot for
Regional Nature Park Livradois Forez
Last year I posted a blog post about my first big photo assignment in France.
The start up was a bit slow as the weather in Spring did not make it easy to plan things. But now, after a very busy Summer this assignment is reaching towards its end. I have still some work to do this month and in Autumn, but the big part of the assignment has been dealt with. And I can say that it was instructive and enjoyable at the same time.
I met a lot of very nice and interesting new people and I could explore some great (for me , new ) nature areas . Later on this year I will make a ‘best -of’ of my images in the final selection and put it all on my website under portfolio PNR Livradois Forez.
In the meantime people outside the project scene ‘ noticed’ the photo project for PNR Livradois Forez. It all started with the request for models for a photo shoot at the lake in Volle Montagne. The local newspaper, La Gazette picked it up and made an article about the photo reportage in the park, featuring me in action at a local garlic producer.
Moreover the editor of blog: Vollore Montagne – Gazette des Montagnards had heard about the photo-shoot in their village and asked me if it was ok to do a photo reportage on the shoot in Vollore Montagne (see images, Michel MENSE).
Yesterday the photo shoot took place at 8 AM at he lake.
The subject was: recreational activities at the lake.
A nice family and a St. Bernard (dog) signed up to volunteer. They had a pic-nick, a family walk and fun at the play ground. They also enjoyed the sun laying in a chair. Even though the ground was still very wet and the sun not very warm, they acted as naturally as possible, they did a very good job.
Tuscany of the Auvergne
Posted on July 16, 2013
This summer I have not much time to go out and explore nature for myself. Working on a lot of reportage for the PNR Livradois Forez and the subjects are not always
nature related. Like this morning I was with the garlic pickers in the field. Got up very early to capture the nice first light while they were working.
The image above I took in the same area, nearby Billom. They call it Tuscany of the Auvergne and especially in the first sunlight the farmer fields look very nice. This year the sunflowers are late, so the nice yellow tints still have to come.
ENJOY THE SUMMER HOLIDAY SEASON!
Kristel
Snow dunes
Posted on March 17, 2013
by Kristel Schneider
Last Friday I had a nice snowshoe walk in the ‘ Monts du Forez’.
For my photo assignment I wanted to have a second look at the lake from the dam des Pradeaux. The night before it had snowed and the forecast for that Friday was sun with some clouds. When I parked my car at the Col Les Pradeaux (1.196 m altitude) the clouds were still hanging above the Nordic ski slope for the children.
I was hoping for more snow on the trees around the lake than the first time I was there , but unfortunately that side is early in the sun and when I arrived the trees looked green with some powder snow on it, too bad for me. 
The lake was frozen and totally covered with snow, the wind had created some nice snow dunes. I got attracted by the lines and shades.
Balancing in the deep snow I managed to get some lower angle shots.
The sun was nicely reflecting on the top of the dunes, which made it challenging to get details in the bright whiteness of the snow.
I also had to be careful that my tripod did not slide down in the deep snow while I was focusing. It would not be the first time you think that everything is nicely in focus and then, realize that the tripod moved.
Publication in French Nature Magazine: Nat’Image
Posted on October 5, 2012
Publication in French Nature Magazine: Nat’Image
by Kristel Schneider
Nat’image, the nature edition of the popular French photo magazine Chasseur d’Image, published an article and an image portfolio from me about Mushroom photography.
The article (written by me and Fabienne Rousseau) describes the different approaches in mushroom photography. A total of 8 pages (+ small cover image) is published in the nr. 16 October/November 2012 issue.
Look for more images at: Mushroom and Fungi gallery
Visit Kristels website: click on logo
Visions and Nature 