"Ice Carver"
Anchorage, Alaska

Artists from all over the world visit frigid Anchorage to participate in an annaul ice carving competition. Some of the work is spectacular, especially at night when the carvings are illuminated by colored lights. Many of the ice carvings are so intricately detailed they resemble large versions of glass figurines -- the kind you see in those fancy shops in malls. The ice is typically difficult to photograph because metering is never straightforward and the backgrounds are usually cluttered with random street elements. Here, I think the man was slightly underexposed on account of the bright ice. I tried to compensate during printing, but I almost washed out the upraised arm of the carving.

-- Tony Rowlett (rowlett@alaska.net), March 13, 2000

Answers

Looks a little nippy! Sorry, I just couldn't resist. He's about to make it or break it I take.

I like it a lot, and agree, very tough subject/contrast range to handle. If you could only dodge in a little more detail to get the outline of the upper arm you'd be there.

Cool shot [sorry again] though!

-- Robert Anderson (randerson1@uswest.net), March 13, 2000.

Actually I think that if you cropped out the head of the carving you4d not only loose your problem but get a shot with more impact as well. Please forgive me if that4s too radical :)

-- Christel Green (look.no@film.dk), March 13, 2000.

I agree with Christel re. "impact". Might try it cropped just at the top of the head, too, for a different feeling (gets "her" more involved ...not necessariy happily?!)

-- Larry H. Smith (LarryHS@webtv.net), March 15, 2000.