I’m very pleased to share with my friends that my image (below) was selected as one of twenty-five finalists in Outdoor Photographer Magazine’s 2012 American Landscape Photo Contest:
This image was made on an October morning while shooting on a fall foliage field trip, visiting a number of locations in southwest Vermont. Our guide was the distinguished nature photographer, Joseph Rossbach, who is also a writer for Outdoor Photographer and other publications.
The Chittenden Reservoir was our destination for both early morning and twilight views. In addition to the reservoir there is an associated pond, Lefferts Pond. The reservoir and the pond provided a number of beautiful locations and scenes, from the morning lifting of the night’s mists to the dewdrops on a spider web on a trail bridge, to the melancholy tones of twilight. All were made more dramatic and appealing by the fall colors.
This is one of my all-time favorite scenes. It is one of moving simplicitly and serenity, contemplative, encouraging stillness and meditation. The image is anchored by the subtle splash of color on the little island. I think it’s saying “Pay no attention to the mists; life will be all right later.”
For this scene I tried a number of frames, some with a wider view, and some narrower, even down to the near shore pebbly bottom under cloud reflections. Some other images from that field trip (including that dewy spider web) can be seen by clicking here. The reservoir and Leffert’s Pond can be seen on a map by clicking here.
The winners and other finalists of the 2012 American Landscape competition can be seen by clicking here.
June 29, 2012 at 10:39 am
That is so wonderful! I will keep my fingers crossed for you!!
June 29, 2012 at 10:41 am
Congratulations Ralph — how wonderful! You already know how I feel about this image — it is still a WOW!
June 29, 2012 at 10:41 am
Congratulations! I just love that image.
June 29, 2012 at 11:13 am
Beautiful. Congratulations!
June 29, 2012 at 11:20 am
I’ve loved that image since you first showed it at the club.
Bravo, Ralph!
June 29, 2012 at 11:24 am
Great job, Ralph! Excited for you!
June 29, 2012 at 11:30 am
Great picture. It looks a lot like the small island on 2nd Roach pond where we all camped in younger days. I think I hear a loon.
Del
June 29, 2012 at 12:12 pm
Congratulations Ralph!! Beautiful image!!
June 29, 2012 at 1:20 pm
Congratulations, Ralph – lovely simple image with relaxing mood.
June 29, 2012 at 1:34 pm
Big standing CLAP…. what a prestigious group you are included in. That truly evokes calm and beauty. Taken in the perfect light. Heads up, you got my vote on the OP site.
June 29, 2012 at 3:14 pm
That is terrific Ralph!! What a beautiful and peaceful image. Best of luck to you – but you shouldn’t need any luck with such a lovely work!
June 29, 2012 at 4:00 pm
How special! What a wonderful “next stage of life” you have created for yourself – Best of luck! Claire
June 29, 2012 at 4:48 pm
What an artist! All the pictures are gorgeous. Marilyn F.
June 29, 2012 at 11:18 pm
Just voted for you! good luck!
June 30, 2012 at 7:39 am
How wonderful Ralph, this is a gorgeous image!!!!!!!!!!!
July 1, 2012 at 7:35 am
Your’s is the most beautiful.
Nancy Deal
July 7, 2012 at 10:31 am
Just got online and saw your wonderful photograph. It’s an amazing and thoughtful picture.
Congratulations and we’ll keep our fingers crossed. You deserve the win.
Tom and Jeanne
June 24, 2018 at 9:48 am
congratulations! Beautiful!
January 12, 2019 at 4:39 am
Stunning photo.