Thursday, February 2, 2012

It Came Upon A Midnight Clear ...

... the idea to get out for a few night shots, that is.

With everyone already in bed, and the night still young, and fresh snow on the ground, there was no compelling reason not to take advantage of an opportunity to capture the serenity. Sasha didn't need a second invitation and we set off into the crisp night air. It seemed like we were the only ones on the planet.

It's a pity if you've never ventured out on a beautiful winter's night.

If you have a few moments to linger, listen to the music (click on play button below the last photo) as you step into the peaceful night.

(all photos shot with a 10-22mm lens at f7.1, ISO200, with shutter speeds from 6 to 30 sec)







31 comments:

S. Etole said...

These are just terrific, Rick.

ju-north said...

Wonderful shots! I like the one of the tree, looking up

biebkriebels said...

The second photo is beautiful and with the headset on it is a joy to look at your photos! Thanks. Snow is falling at last here now.

Bitch said...

And you came richer home...
Greetings!!!

Amelia said...

Hi Rick, wow... 2 thumbs up for you. Your photos are really excellent and gorgeous. Very beautiful winter night. Love the 2nd picture.
Have a nice day. Regards to you and yours.

P/S I'm spoiling you and family again in my latest posting,LOL

darlin said...

Hi Rick,

These are beautiful shots, and you're right, there's something almost magical in stepping out in the crisp evening air by oneself.

Your photos really make me grateful to be sitting where I am at the moment! :-)

Have a wonderful weekend!

Fábio Martins said...

I love the photo number three :)

Elizabeth Grimes said...

Again, music setting the mood perfectly for the photos! What a beautiful night. Thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

You definitely found some great photo ops... I think my fave is the 2nd one... something about that one that grabs my attention! Thanks =)

imac said...

Great post - that 2nd to last shot of a tree and angle is soooo fab.

Ruth Hiebert said...

I am glad you took the time to get these shots.Truly beautiful.

Laura Delegal - Leroy Photography said...

Stunning, Rick, absolutely stunning. I can imagine the stillness. Hope you have a good weekend.

Kyria @ Travel Spot said...

Wow Rick, I really love that second one! You really captured the beauty of the night!

Pamela Gordon said...

Beautiful photos Rick. I love the 2nd and 3rd ones. It's too cold here to venture out in the dark. Yes, and it's too dark out in the country too. Maybe by the light of the silvery moon in a few days when it's warmer. Enjoy the weekend.

Stephanie said...

This may sound like a stupid question, what exactly is 10-22 lens? I love what you did in the photos. Especially the second one. It seems you got down on your knees to take that one. The third one is a beautiful shot as well. I might go and google that type of lens you mentioned. One learns something new everyday. :-))

Rick said...

Thank you, Susan !

Thanks, Julia.

Hallo Marianne, en dank je wel. Ja, dat liedje van George Harrison vind ik ook erg mooi. Dus, jullie hebben ook eindelijk winter. Ik zal komen kijken of je ook wat sneeuw fotos op je blog geplaats hebt. Fijne zaterdag.

That I did Monika (nice to 'hear' from you again).

Thank you kindly, Amelia - yes, it was a gorgeous evening when I went out. I will be over to your blog shortly to get 'spoiled' again ;-)

Rick said...

Thanks, Darlene (I'll bet you've almost forgotten what it feels like to walk in the snow ! ;-) I'll be over soon to see what you've been enjoying - and have a terrific weekend 'down there' !

Obrigado, Fábio !

Thank you, Elizabeth (I always thought George H. was one of the underrated Beatles - love this song and its message).

Thank you, Tammy. This was on the edge of the forest with the light casting wonderful nighttime shadows.

Thanks, Stewart ! (I had to keep wiping the falling snow off the lens).

Rick said...

Thank you, Ruth - the pleasure was all mine as I went out into the stillness of the night (good thing I wore a watch ;-)

Thanks very much, Laura - it was an incredibly beautiful evening - no one around, very peaceful. Have a wonderful weekend too.

Hi Kyria - and thank you. I think I need to go out at night more often.

Thanks, Pamela. I've been out in really cold weather (-22C) and it always takes some time to acclimatize the camera and lenses (and me !) but it's so worth it. I hear you about out in the country - there's usually not much light unless there's a full moon. Have a great weekend too !

Hi Stephanie - the only 'stupid' question is one that's not asked. A 10-22mm lens is an ultra-wide zoom lens (on a compact sensor it's the equivalent of a 16-35mm lens) - great for landscapes and architecture. On that 2nd shot my camera was down below my knees - on a Gorillapod (a small tripod with flexible legs). Thanks for asking, and your nice comment. Enjoy your weekend.

Cloudia said...

that last shot in particular is HEAVEN! and yes, Rick, I lived in northern New Hampshire for a while: snow wonderland at night!

I've missed you- Don't know why I've missed so many of your posts.

thanks for swinging by to visit today.


Warm Aloha from Hawaii
Comfort Spiral

> < } } ( ° >

mariiana capela fotografia said...

Wonderful shots!

Marty said...

comme c'est beautiful et comme c'est nice to be alone in that wonderland!
the second image is comme dans un rêve ! ou a fairy tale :le petit chaperon rouge ! j'adore !
have a dimanche de rêve Rick
and many lointains kisses

BlueShell said...

This is magical...You are a great person...
Thank you!
BS

Betty Manousos said...

hi ric, those images are incredibly beautiful!!

very nicely done:)

love all of them.
i can just feel the tranquility pouring out of the pictures.

have a great remainder of your weekend!

Romantik Seelchen said...

...der Winter mit all seinen Schönheiten,
sehr schön die Fotos mit der Ruhe und Stille,

uns hat in Deutschland eine Kälte aus Sibirien errreicht, die Temperaturen sinken auf -20 Grad, da kann man keinen Handschuh ausziehen........

Grüße Jasmin

Nellie from Beyond My Garden said...

Just gorgeous! This is my favorite time to walk.
Here is the link to one of my night time journeys.
nellie

Rick said...

Hi Cloudia - must have been an easy decision to go from winter in New Hampshire to winter in Hawaii ;-) Nice to hear from you, and thank you. See you soon. Aloha !

Obrigado, Mariiana !

Ah oui, Marty - it was comme un rêve ! Although it was un rêve froid ;-) mais beautiful. J'espère que your deep freeze has become un peu warmer maintenant ! Merci pour your always nice comments. Je t'envoie many warm bisous to melt those cold jours !

Thank you, Isabel ! I hope your week is going well.

Hi Betty - I trust they helped dispel any stress you might have had due to the onset of real winter ! Thank you, and I hope your week is turning out wonderful.

Gutentag, Jasmin - nice to hear from you again, und vielen Dank für deinen netten Worte ! Yes, I saw on the news that all of Europe was suffering under severe cold - best to stay inside beside a warm fire ! Hertzliche Grüße von Florida !

Thank you, Nellie - I took every opportunity to walk (day and night) when we were back around Christmas time. I didn't see your link but will visit shortly.

magda said...

Very nice Rick and so romantic photos!!!
Your photos are like paintings!!!
A warm hug

Leslie said...

i think these are some of my all-time favorite shots, especially the second and third photos.

Lisa Gordon said...

These are absolutely gorgeous.
The light in the first one is pure magic.

Rick said...

Thank you very much, Magda ! I hope you're having a very good weekend !

Thank you, Leslie (I find they look even better when viewed from the subtropics ;-)

Thank you so much, Lisa (that was just outside my daughter's home when we were there around Christmas).

Hilda R.B said...

Beautiful winter photos. Like your works.
Greetings from Hilda