Visions and Nature Winter scenery in Spring
Posted on May 26, 2013
Spring 2013
by Kristel Schneider
Snow and Frost
May 24, 2013
Just back home from a three-day Photo Tour I organized in the Auvergne for two Americans. One of the photo subjects was Col de la Croix St Robert in the Auvergne Volcanoes Regional Nature Park. Due to the weather conditions we unfortunately had to skip the sunrise session. Instead we got lots of snow, fog and frosty trees later on in the morning. Not quite what they (and me) expected during this Spring Photo Tour in the Auvergne.
We were immediately hooked to a little area with birch trees and bushes.
At one moment the sky opened up for a while and in the last image you can see the seasonal contrast. A winter scenery in the front with in the background the Spring greens in the fields.
Image: November mood in spring – editors Pick
Posted on May 21, 2013
NatureScapes.NET Landscape Gallery : Editors Pick
November Mood in Spring
La Grande Cascade| Auvergne, France
Some feedback so far:
- Who says you can’t get a great shot in bad weather
Very nice! - his says cold and damp. I like the waterfall peeking from the fog.
- What a beautiful scene. Your framing and use of the fog in the frame is well done. Nicely done.
Other editors picks so far (2013):
- They are awake – Macro and flower gallery
- Snow Dunes – Landscape Gallery
- Wood Anemone – Macro and flower gallery
- Snow waves- Landscape gallery
- Like a frame –Landscapes gallery
- Falling snow – Landscapes gallery
- Lake with mist- Landscapes gallery
- Abstract gras scene – Macro and flower gallery
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.
Image: Like a frame, editors pick
Posted on January 31, 2013
NatureScapes.NET Landscape Gallery : Editors Pick
Like a frame
Since the new website layout from Naturescapes.NET the editors no longer announce a image of the week per gallery but choose a Editors Pick.
I am happy to see that my personal favorite from the last photo session, trees in winter, is chosen by editors.
Some feedback so far:
- I like using trees as a frame too. And this is a particularly nice one.
- Beautiful composition, Kristel. The tree has a powerfully earthy—almost sensuous—aspect that might make periodic revisits worthwhile.
- Fantastic!! This is gorgeous!!
- Very nice Kristel! A unique and interesting composition, love the detail!
- Beautiful bit of art Kristal — love the composition.
Nature Photography in Your Own Backyard
Posted on June 6, 2012
by Kristel Schneider
Nature Photography in your Backyard sounds easy but you still have to walk around and look for the right light, different angles and backgrounds to create an interesting image.
Yesterday afternoon I decided to remove the dust from my Sigma 150mm macro lens. I noticed that lately I was stuck to my 300mm L 4.0 lens for close-up photography so I made myself walk around with the Sigma lens and I looked for a nice insect or a nice flower.
This little Crab Spider (Thomisidae) was waiting for its next pray. I did not see the spider at first because it was white and sitting on a white flower.
For me ‘the white on white’ was interesting so I looked around for some nice soft background light. I turned and turned to get another flower in the upper part of the frame to make the composition complete. 
The white little spider has two orange/red stripes and while I was looking for different angles I noticed an orange Lily nearby. In my mind this could be a nice repetition of the two colors and the white from the flower against the orange background would provide a nice color contrast. While waiting for the little spider to move into the right position on the flower I walked around and tried out different angles and positions.
Both images were taken with a Canon 5DMII -Sigma 150 Macro lens, natural light.
Nature backyard photography tips:
- Look for an interesting subject (flowerbeds, insects, different details, water movement, etc.) and study it.
- Think about different compositions.
- Look for the right light (natural light or fill flash, reflectors)
- Look for a nice background color and/or elements.
- Walk around your subject and try out different angles.
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Visions and Nature 