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Bialowieza


Bialowieza
Photo Information
Copyright: Jacob van der Weele (Bufo) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 422 W: 71 N: 984] (4241)
Genre: Landscapes
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-05-28
Camera: Canon 10D, 17-35mm F/2.8L Ø77
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2007-06-08 2:29
Viewed: 707
Points: 30
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
On my trip to Eastern Poland I could not resist a visit to the Białowieźa national park. Permission is only allowed with a guide.
Beside the ecological experience I tried to take some pictures of the forrest. But I realise that landscape photography is totally different than for example bird photography. Have you ever tried to capture a piece of forrest? Very hard! I tried it here. Though it is on the dark side, the forrest itself is quite dark, so I decided to leave the exposure to freeze the true situation. The open spot was a welcome object for my picture. All suggestions on the picture or postprocessing are welcome


Information on wikipedia about Białowieża

Białowieża Primaeval Forest, known as Belaveskaya Pushcha (Белавеская пушча) or Belovezhskaya Pushcha in Belarus and Puszcza Białowieska in Poland, is an ancient virginal forest straddling the border between Belarus and Poland, located 70 km north of Brest. It is the only remaining part of the immense forest which once spread across the European Plain [1].

This UNESCO World Heritage Site and Biosphere Reserve lies in south-western Belarus, in parts of the Brest voblast (Kamianiec and Pruzhany districts) and Hrodna voblast (Svislach district), and near the town of Białowieża in the Podlachian Voivodeship (62 km south-east of Białystok and 190 km north-east of Warsaw) in Poland. On the Polish side it is partly protected as Białowieski Park Narodowy, or Białowieża National Park, and occupies over 100 kmē. On the Belarusian side the Biosphere Reserve occupies 1,771 kmē; the core area covers 157 kmē; the buffer zone - 714 kmē; and the transition zone - 900 kmē; with the National Park and World Heritage Site comprising 876 kmē. The border dividing 2 countries runs across the forest and it is closed for big animals and tourists as well, for the time being.
Jamesp, Argus, nglen, blakitan, uleko, IulianGherghel, horia, julian, SunToucher has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • cloud Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 110 W: 60 N: 217] (1873)
  • [2007-06-08 3:12]

Hello Jacob,
Very well done. The forest is beautiful but on the photo often isn't. Your shot like to me.
Pawel.

  • Great 
  • Jamesp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1252 W: 0 N: 4842] (14380)
  • [2007-06-08 3:25]

Hi Jacob

This is a special place and one I hope to visit at some point.

I think you have done a really good job capturing the mystery of the forest. There is always a problem with shafts of light in these situations which 'burn-out' or result in areas which are too dark. Here you have managed to create a tone composition in green. Well done.

I am away for the w/e looking for puffins in Northumberland.

James

  • Great 
  • PaulH Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1033 W: 26 N: 3000] (10824)
  • [2007-06-08 4:51]

Hi Jacob,

it's never easy to portray what it's like standing in a forest, even one as remarkable as this. I always find it's best at first light, when there is shadow defination and interesting low light filtering through leaves and branches. However, the really natural feel to this shot makes it a special one. You can somehow tell how ancient this place is by looking at it. Lovely colours and a nice area of light in that clearing gives it some nice depth of field and subtle contrast.

very well done,

Paul

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2615 W: 133 N: 7512] (23431)
  • [2007-06-08 9:43]

Hello Jacob,
Though I have heard what a fantastic forest reserve Bialowiza is I have never been there.
This shot looks pretty representative of the biotopes to be found and is well lit and composed. I can also imagine the mosquitoes!
TFS and best wishes, Ivan

Your photo has the feel of a primeval forest, with the ferns and the soft filtered light. Another option may be to crop off the top where the sky and its light is. That bright spot grabs my eye and it is not the subject. Without it my eye gravitates to the center of the forest and wanders around discovering its beauties.

TFS
Evelynn : )

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1995 W: 5 N: 5588] (21102)
  • [2007-06-08 16:50]

Hi Jacob. This is a very good shot of the beautiful wood.Your compostion is very good indeed. with a low POV.very well done TFS.have a good weekend.
Nick..

Hi Jacob,
Beautiful forest landscape, superbly captured.
I like lighting and details of plants on the forest floor.
Extremely well done!

BL

Hi Jacop
You captured the atmosphere very well. I do not know if a flashlight with a better exposed foreground would have improved or spoiled the atmosphere.
Cheers
Tom

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2470 W: 168 N: 7478] (23630)
  • [2007-06-09 4:42]

Hello Jacob,
Impressive view of this virgin forest in Poland which must be very interesting to see.
It looks pretty wet in this shot! I think your capture is really fine considering the darkness. Nice POV showing the old tree stump at the front. Interesting note too!
Many thanks, Ulla
T

hi,
nice shot and the colours are great.
well done!
regards,
iulian

  • Great 
  • horia Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2084 W: 216 N: 3767] (12502)
  • [2007-06-09 10:23]

Hi Jacob

This is a very beautiful photo of what seems to be a wonderful old and very mood-creating forest!
I'm a little low on time nowadays so i didn't get the chance to read other peolpes critiques or comments, but my opinion is that this is just how it should be. I think you did great to leave the exposure just like that and by doing so you really got a splendid view of this forest. The bright spot is indeed attracting the attention and the colors are very natural.
I also love to look at this as a splendid habitat for all sorts of animals, especially amphibians ;)

Cheers, my friend and TFS
Horia

Hello Jacob,
This is a superb image, Itīs hard to find a really great pic of a forest, I like the dark colours, balanced composition and the ancient aspect of it. 10 points job!
Hernán

  • Great 
  • arfer Gold Star Critiquer [C: 2731 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2007-06-09 23:06]

Hello Jacob

An enchanting looking forest.The colours are deep and well saturated.It looks very unspoiled by human activity.The kind of place I would like to hang out in.Nicely composed and the exposure is fine.Lovely rich detail.TFS


Rob

A really lovely scened Jacob. Love the light and feel of this one. I think left unadulterated is the best way. Also for the forest...
Julian

Hoi Jacob,
Een prachtige foto van dit oerbos. Zo ruig zie het in ons cultuur landje niet meer.
Wat betreft fotografie in een bos. Da's zeker erg moeilijk. Je hebt te maken met veel schaduw en vel licht. Soms kan een grijs verloop filter helpen maar meestal is het gewoon zoeken.
Groeten,
Niek

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