November 2008

It is freezing, and I am standing at the side of a lake after meandering across icy mountain roads past jaywalking deer under the cover of darkness. The location is Lower Lake in Glendalough. It is a place I have been to many times and always thought it would look stunning while covered in an icy coat.

Thankfully my efforts this morning look to have paid off. On arrival conditions are almost ideal. The previous evenings frost has provided an icy coat to the surrounding landscape. Everything from the trees to tufts of grass that surround the edge of the lake are painted a frosty white.

Ensuring they formed part of the composition was essential. Their icy coat against the dark waters of the lake would create contrast while adding depth and texture to the photograph.

Lower Lake Glendalough

As ever the wide angle 17-40F4 lens was used to compose the image. The angle of view offered by this lens enabled me to include a large amount of foreground while loosing none of the distant hills. As ever a Singh Ray ND grad was mounted to the front of the lens. These grads have to be amongst the most valuable piece of kit I have bought.

The resulting image…. am I happy with it? I will let you come to your own conclusions. Already my mind is wandering. Thoughts of a snow covered Glendalough are what I am hoping for.