Winter Seasonal feedback, please.

[mnhtnbb]

From time to time people ask for feedback on photos that someone is considering for submission to a contest.

In my location in NC, we rarely get snow. We did have a horrible snow/ice storm this year and I ventured out for a few shots--mostly of my dog--because everything was frozen and very slippery.

Typical "winter" for me is having gorgeous sunrises through the bare branches of our trees, or clear views of the moon rising. Yesterday we had the most magnificent sunset (I posted some photos here: http://www.democraticunderground.com/103657174) I can ever recall because we face east and rarely get much more than some pink in the sky at sunset. My view west is blocked by the hill on the other side of us.

So, although I am also considering one of the sunset shots I took yesterday

--this one--




for the Winter contest, here are three I have also been considering.
February Sunrise




3D Moon




Winter Moon





Any comments would be appreciated. Thanks!

[CanonRay]

1. 37.20 inches of rain since January 1

here on the central Oregon coast. It's wet. We have a 2.5 MILLION gallon, 71/2 acre lake in what used to be just a seasonal wetland. And it's raining. Again.

[mnhtnbb]

2. Shots of a big puddle, eh?

[alfredo]

3. I love the first one. Kicks ass

[caroldansen]

4. All four are beautiful. You choose.

[Mira]

5. That first one is epic

unforgettable
I know you are proud to have captured it.

But the others are phenomenal as well.
They all look like our winters to me.

[procon]

6. Beautiful photos.

I liked the interplay of contrasts, the light and dark, the stark framing of the subjects, especially the two with the moon, that draw the viewer's thoughts in. I really like the bold colors of the sky in the first photo, but to my eye it appears the bottom was cropped too short and something in the background reference is missing so I can't quite make the necessary emotional connection in that image. In comparison, the second photo is a similar subject, but the viewer has the full perspective of the big old tree in a desolate wilderness setting that evokes a feeling of loneliness but I still get the hopeful anticipation that a sunny day ahead.

[mnhtnbb]

11. The focus was tighter on the cloud color in the first shot (no cropping) but I do have a wider shot

in this one--more similar to the focus of the big old tree in the sunrise shot--and you get more of the long distance horizon level tree line.

[procon]

14. Now that's what I was wanting to see.

Thanks! Just that little addition offers enough background to anchor the photo in place and time for me, so my imagine can build a story. Before, I kept want to place the scene in an unkempt yard with a crumbling old shed, but I like this better.

[elleng]

7. ALL of them, of course!

We sure got some good ones yesterday! After storm I got a spectacular sunset pic! Your atmospherics are 'something else!'

[Panich52]

8. Winter shots don't need snow ...

My favs among 4 posted here are Feb Sunrise w/ Winter Moon a close 2nd.

[CrispyQ]

9. I can't pick a fav!!!

There. That's my comment.

They are all stunning!!

on edit: The last one is really growing on me.

[mnhtnbb]

12. I love the mood of the last one. It feels lonely, mysterious, and even sensual to me

but I don't know how much that conveys "winter".

I'd love to see us have a "winter" contest that represented the diversity of winter feelings--not just snow and white and cold--that
often is everyone's impression of what "winter" should look like.

[dixiegrrrrl]

10. first one.

Nice composition, doesn't need cropping, lovely colors.

[northoftheborder]

13. First one and 4th one equalling STUNNING!

[Solly Mack]

15. I like them all

but the first one looks as if the trees are giving off fire...not on fire.....but giving off fire.

I love that one.

And the second one looks cold. Very pretty, but cold.

I love that one too.