PHOTOGRAPH INFO

We had wild March weather over the weekend - multiple storms with inches of rain and high winds caused flooding and downed power lines in the area.

I took this photo on Saturday night as one violent storm moved away and another moved in. In such dark conditions I should've used a tripod and cable release, but there was just enough time to grab the camera, run outdoors and fire off a dozen shots at high ISO -- hoping one wasn't blurry -- before sheets of rain started coming down again.

The result is a dark and noisy image but a nice memory of the evening. :)

(Because this image is so dark I recommend looking at it in a darkened room - you'll see a lot more detail that way.)

Camera settings and post-processing: Shot with the Canon EOS 5D and the Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L at 17mm, ISO 3200, 1/13s at f/4. Curves adjustments, color balancing, slight desaturation of reds and cyans.

Thank you for visiting Durham Township!

--Kathleen

Beautiful. Moody. Evocative. Mysterious.

Piekne nastrojowe zdjecie.
Excellent light and composition.

great dramatic shot, love it!

Spooky. Great shot!

Ordinarily I would say shame about the wires, but here they are such an enhancement, really drawing your eye into the scene.

March weather captured on the fly
Angry clouds boiling in the sky
"Mirror puddles" on the path do lie
Winter verses Spring in another classic try.

A safe haven when storms wildly blow
A stone home on a hill hunkering low.
A window with warmth brightly shows
And a welcoming porch light also glows.

Great capture of a fabulous storm! The skiees were beautiful that afternoon. We lost power for 16 hours.

Very dark and moody Kathleen! I can imagine the storm that came with these clouds.

I love this shot. It's so haunting. The darkness is what makes it great. wonderful.

I agree with Rob, the wires actually work well with the image, which is really quite rare.

Dramatic but still calm. Very nice shot! And thanks for being such great inspiration.

Spooky. Mysterious. Would look great for a horror movie

You've set such a spectacular mood!

Beautiful photo, like the atmosphere and lighting.

Really nice work. Great sense of mood. Nice exposure balance.

This is so beautiful! I was going to ask if it was an HDR shot.

Trish: Not HDR, just a few curves adjustments.

Makes you want to stop by
and have something warm,
thereby pass the evening,
thereby pass the storm.
What a nice porch and puddles
on the road to Sleepy Hollow,
or a place for hobbits
waiting for Strider.
Grey shadows on a black road,
a storm soon to follow.
The restless press on,
the wise wait for tomorrow.

Pictures like this could make people afraid
"Spooky", "moody" and like comments were made.
But now in my book
After a close second look
It really reminds me of a "Thomas Kincaid"!

Kathleen - what a phenomenal shot. Every tone, every grain, every element in the frame deserves to be there. I would especially like to cite the glow off the windows as a photographic rarity and something that I am really relishing here.

Very well done!

JPH, not so fast,
not quite Kincaid here,
for the warm glow of candles
doth too soon fade away here.

I admit in the puddle,
a glow is reflected,
but on power lines and tree limbs,
no glowing is detected,

Please notice the clouds,
you know that by now,
Thom'd hav'em glowing
on both sides by now!

Well, er... I just wanted to say that I think the light in the window is fantastic--but I'm not going to put it into verse! Can I just like your work without having to break into poetry? ;-)

I love this photo. The fact that the image is grainy (noisy) and soft is what makes it great. If you used a tripod a low a ISO the photo would not be nearly as moody!

Kethleen'
Davids coment is best . Looks like a place one wants to stop by and pass the evening with interesting friends .
Adolph

The colors are just beautiful.

great shot. i really like the sky.

I know you hear this all the time but I have to say that your work is outstanding. You consistantly produce images that are a cut above the rest. I have managed commercial labs in PA, CA, and AZ and have worked with hundreds of professionals and I consider your work to rank among the best. You have the gift.
I think that this image, Spring Hill, is brilliant.

One of your best pictures.

This really has a spooky feeling to it, but I like the light in the house on the left, kinda like a sanctuary

What an amazing atmosphere.. Very nice!

This is an awesome picture, and I agree with Dan that it is one of your best pictures. When I find something like that I don't see if it's noisy or dark, I just stay admiring it.

I think the noise and darkness actually adds a lot to the mood here. You captured the essence of the weather we had. There is comfort in the warmth and light coming from the house, such a beautiful home too! This is a beautiful photograph.

We had a half a tree fall perfectly between my neighbor's and my house sparing either of us any damage except for the lawn...it was wicked and wild and we were very lucky!

Beautiful. I love the light and the way you have managed to capture the details. Stephen King would get a real novel novel idea if he sees this image.

Thank you! This is beautiful.

I love this photo! The power lines do not bother me because it shows that the picture is REAL! GREAT job!

Thank you for sharing.

-Kathy-

Gorgeous! I want to live there.

catching up on some old blog posts i haven't seen for a while and i must say this one stood out the most! the mood is fantastic, i can feel the storm bearing down, yet my eyes go to the house which provides shelter. i can picture myself standing there and i want to run to that house! what a wonderful photo!

wow! creepy!

This looks almost like a scene artist Thomas Kinkade would paint. I agree with Houser -- I'd love to live there.

I love it, you captured the mood so well.

I love this. The weather is grim, the house looks warm and inviting, keeping you safe from the elements outside. Inside, I imagine a roaring fire, perhaps a sleeping dog on the hearth and warm hot chocolate with marshmellows. But that's just me!

You have really made this look like a dangerous place to visit! I love the atmosphere in this image!