Visions and Nature Image: Snow Dunes – editors Pick
Posted on March 21, 2013
NatureScapes.NET Landscape Gallery : Editors Pick
Snow DunesLes Pradeaux| Auvergne, France
Some feedback so far:
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Excellent mood. Like it.
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Kristel .Love this, just so delicate, cheers
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I really love this. Beautiful shades and lines.
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Fantastic!…a good eye to spot this!
- Absolutely love everything about this!!!
- Beautifully abstract I love it – in our over populated area the snow just quickly turns into a dirty mush
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Very well seen Kristel, this is great!
Other editors picks so far (2013):
- Wood Anemone – Macro and flower Forum
- Snow waves- Landscape Forum
- Like a frame -Landscapes forum
- Falling snow – Landscapes Forum
- Lake with mist- Landscapes forum
- Abstract gras scene – Macro and flower forum
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.
Trees in the winter
Posted on January 27, 2013
Trees in the winter
by Kristel Schneider
” Snow, chaos and trees”
Comparing earlier winters I experienced in the Auvergne, I can say this year was mild so far. Last year I bought my own set of snow rackets but because of the lack of snow in my area I decided yesterday to look for some white powder higher up in the mountains.
Kristel by Cyril Coudert
Readers who visit this blog more often know how much I love trees and one of the things I always wanted to do was walking on snow rackets in the forest. So together with photographer Cyril Coudert (partner from Massifs Centraux) I planned a photo day in the Sancy area (Auvergne, France).
Kristel by Cyril Coudert
Destination: Vallée de la Fontaine Salée | Chastreix-Sancy (1299m), the weather forecast was not that great but in the mountains it can change very fast so we gave it a try. Knowing that I had to walk for the first time on these snow rackets I decided to empty my camera bag. Camera body and only two lenses, the canon 24-105 and the canon 300 mm and my lunchbox + tripod. Already missing my my 70-200mm lens, my favorite ‘brick’ .
After walking for a while I was so happy with my earlier decision (LOL).
The tree branches had just enough snow to give it that little extra you like to see in your images. The view leaves gave a little touch of color in the brown/grey scenery.
The challenge was to find a nice composition amongst the chaos.
Hopefully next month the snow will return so that I can experiment some more in the winter forest. For more images click here
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