No pain no gain?, a photo from Wicklow, South

Photographer's Note

It is always surprising to realize that not far from a city one can find a real wilderness. What is special about Wicklow Mountains located just south from Dublin? For me a big surprise was that there are no marked trails in this National Park. The disadvantage is that if you want a find a particular spot you may have difficulties getting there. You have to rely on your orientation and skills of reading a map. The advantage is quite the same: for many people it is an extra satisfaction to discover every time new places and walk without any sense of security which provides to certain extent the road marking. Once I heard about a charming lake in shape of heart. I have found it on the map but the attempted trails were quite muddy and I have tried many times always being discouraged by the mud getting deeper than my ankles. darek1978 has presented several pictures of that lake but he mentioned that he was often sinking to the waist in mud. In the end I managed to get there but the light was rather boring.
Photographing the lake which you see here (Lower Lough Bray) required no effort at all. This picture was taken on one of TrekEarth meetings with darek1978.

tyro, dta, Royaldevon, timecapturer, annjackman, danos, SnapRJW, holmertz, Gigidusud, mcmtanyel, Graal, ikeharel, Cricri, jhm, adores, adramad, josepmarin, bona, fritzi007, COSTANTINO oznaczył to zdjęcie jeko użyteczne

Critiques | Translate

emka (157280) 2013-12-22 14:26

cześć Mariusz, Teraz to i ja mam wspomnienia ze spotkania z Darkiem i nawet dziś wkleiłam zdjecie z tego spotkania :). Pewnie ja tez nie byłabym chętna zanurzyc sie w błocie po pas, zwłaszcza w zimie ale kto wie? Tyle tylko, ze nie miałabym gwarancji super zdjecia, jak wy. Ale takie chodzenie bez ścieżek i odkrywanie czegos nowego jest przyjemne.
antastyczny krajobraz i wspaniale go pokazałeś. Piękne odbicia i te mchy na kamieniach. Szkoda, że nie miałam ani czasu, ani możliwosci, zeby tam pojechać.
Wspaniałych Świąt!!
M.

tyro (30513) 2013-12-22 17:02

Hello Mariusz,

I just can't understand why you have been sitting on this wonderful photograph for over four years before showing it to us!

This might have been a fairly easy place to reach and the light might not have been very spectacular, but you have made the very most of that light to produce a beautiful photograph with lovely natural colours, good composition and fabulous reflections in the calm water. You have also made very good use of the foreground rocks to anchor the composition and provide good depth to the image.

And, of course, it's technically perfect too with spot-on exposure, perfect colours and exquisite details and sharpness.

Beautiful!

Kind Regards,

John.

Corry (4508) 2013-12-22 19:52

Bonsoir Mariusz

Trčs belle prise de vue de cette montagne qui se reflčtent magnifiquement dans l'eau calme. Bonne utilisation des grosses roches comme avant-plan. Belles couleurs. Bien fait.

Yvon

delpeoples (60342) 2013-12-22 22:59

Witaj dear Mariusz

Hehehe love your title, it is apt not just for the fitness conscious, but also for the photographer. I can't believe that this masterpiece has lain hidden away in your archives for 4 years! It's stunning, sensationally composed, with extraordinary light management and enchanting colours. Wonderful, just like a fairy tale.

Warmest wishes and a happy, happy Christmas to you and your girls
Lisa

adidas5nb (5743) 2013-12-22 23:26

lovely shot,with fantastic clarity light sharpness and desaturated colors.love the reflection..looks so calm .
regards
dwaipayan

jemaflor (146412) 2013-12-22 23:27

Hi Mariusz,
Superbe view well framed with interesting Fg with waterreflections, Beautiful landscape, sjarpness and tones are perfect, tfs.

dta (98848) 2013-12-22 23:38

Hello MAriusz ,
A wonderful irich moutain lake . Wit this perfect calmness , the feeling of sernenity is great , and the reflections are splendid . I like especially the colors and the boulders in the FG .
Regards

npecanhuk (79329) 2013-12-23 1:06

Hi! Very beautiful picture! Sharpness, exposure, colors, chosen pov and composition with Those attractive reflections are all excellent ! Cheers, Neyvan

Royaldevon (85678) 2013-12-23 1:21

Good Morning Mariusz,

I have to comment on the mood that you have captured, here; it is so tranquil, so still, so very unspoilt.
I love how the f/g boulders grab attention with their rough, lichen covered mass and lead so very naturally into the water, where the surface is smooth with its mirror-like reflections.
Just a beautiful, well composed shot.

Have a great Christmas,
Bev :-)

timecapturer (49288) 2013-12-23 2:57

Hi Mariusz
a place that obviously benefits from being difficult to find, but Oh! so wonderful when you get there if this beautiful image is anything to go by. As usual execution and presentation are just magnificent.

Brian.

No_One (4) 2013-12-23 3:35

Hi Mariusz,
As you say, the Wicklow mountains are such a remote place, and at night to look north and see the lights of the city is very special. I have not really ever done a photo journey here, but looking at this beautiful shot, it makes me think I surely must do so soon. The reflection in the lake is fantastic, as is the fact you filled the foreground with these brilliant textured rocks. Stunning colors throughout, and I have to say, I think the light is pretty class!
Thanks as always, and merry Christmas
All the best
Noel

annjackman (23019) 2013-12-23 3:39

Hello Mariusz,
I love the range of earthy colours in this glorious landscape. The whole frame is filled with interest including the reflections and boulders in the FG. Even the sky has soft colours and textures.
First class.
Happy Christmas,
Ann

danos (110407) 2013-12-23 5:30

Witaj Mariusz,
really far from a city everyone can see a lot of beautiful scenes and elements that can capture very successful especially a photographer.
I like the beauty of the place,the created reflections,as the excellent light and colour management of the image.

Merry Christmas and happy New Year,Danos

SnapRJW (31631) 2013-12-23 6:54

Hello Mariusz - The Irish landscape is so varied, unfortunately we didn't have the time to visit this area but it's lovely to see something of it from your eyes. Beautiful soft colours on the hillside and a good FG with the rounded rocks, yur shot captured the essence of tranquility. Have a lovely Christmas. Rosemary

holmertz (102096) 2013-12-23 8:57

Hello Mariusz,
I wouldn't want to sink to my waist to get a picture like this, or any picture, but it was certainly worth an effort. It's a superb composition and the reflections in the clear and calm water are stunning. I don't see any problems of distortions, so whatever corrections you may have made, you made them well. I like the inclusion of the grey and green rocks and the diagonal they make. As always this is a perfectly exposed photo.
Kind regards, and a Merry Chriistmas,
Gert

macjake (98262) 2013-12-23 10:02

Hi Mariusz
walking in mud up to your waist...um...no thanks!
I can live with walking in mud up to the ankles, thats totally different.

interesting story and note, this is a place that Tosca would love to explore.

you came away with a pretty sweet looking shot in my opinion, the overall exposure is spot on here my friend.

and Lisa will love the rocks lol

reminds me a bit of Iceland, how you commented that the wilderness is so close to the cities.
well done.

happy holidays!
cheers
craig

Gigidusud (21679) 2013-12-23 13:34

Hello Mariusz,
Splendid landscape with nice colors and beautiful reflections. I like a lot!
Happy Christmas.
Gigi

nikkitta (17070) 2013-12-23 15:57

Hola Mariusz

Quite stunning capture where you were right to put the stones at the FG ((read your notes and only saw an Imperceptible inclination that does not justify being archived for 4 years
Quite stunning landscape awith great reflections

Wish you and family Happy Xmas (inclusive litlle daugter)
Maria

I saw your name is some mails that began to arrive from Renek , a man from Poland

abmdsudi (95869) 2013-12-23 21:17

Hi Mariusz
This view shows its best to coincide the current season in the north with viewer gets to concentrate on the amazing vista and beauty of the lake in great depth. Lovely tones and lights and I simply love the stillness not even a ripple that stirs the surface of the mirror calm water of such a peaceful scene reflected here. The foreground rocks are vital to the compo as they fit in both with position and colours really well. When you look at the picture it makes you want to go to contemplate nature beauty, your painstaking work is handsomely rewarded, Congrats.

Best wishes to you and your loved ones
Happy Christmas
Warm regards

mesutilgim (0) 2013-12-24 13:17

Hello Mariusz,
Wonderfull capture of this wild scenery.
Very good compo and layout. Perfect sharpness.
The White fernes on rocks is and evidence that the atmosphere here is still quite clean !
TFS and have a Merry Christmas !
MESUT ILGIM

fds (9963) 2013-12-24 13:21

dear friend great ppicture with great and fantastic suggestion
this location is very interested for my and great reflection in the water
great scharpnees
dear friend happy mary crhistmas

mcmtanyel (67789) 2013-12-24 21:14

Hello Mariusz,
No pain no gain - yes that is generally how that works but there are always exceptions to the rules and this photo is one of them. The combination of colors and reflections have rendered this photo a true work of art, TFS.
Merry Christmas,
MT

Fis2 (169877) 2013-12-25 7:01

Witaj Mariusz!
Ciekawe miejsce pieknie pokazane.
Odbicie jest powalajace!
Super kolorki i swiatlo.
Podoba sie.
Wszystkiego dobrego i blekitnego nieba w 2014 roku.
Krzysztof

Graal (103040) 2013-12-26 0:37

Witaj,
bardzo ladna fotografia przyrodniczo - krajobrazowa. Swietny kadr z odbiciem w wodzie, dobry POV wybrales. Podoba mi sie roznorodnosc kolorystyki rowniez.
Milego poswiatecznego konca tygodnia.
Aleksander

ikeharel (112549) 2013-12-26 8:14

Good evening Mariusz,
Taken an unmarked trail, and surprised yourself with the wild rural country and its absolute beauty, yet so close to town.
Fine use the water for a mirror view, combined with the rocks and hill rises on far, DOF is immaculate here.
Cheers, and happy holidays.
Ike

Waylim (25436) 2013-12-26 11:58

Hi M,

Beautiful shot and from your decription of the park. It is a very difficult task and make it more special the good think with no trail is that you don't have the same people at the same place. Allowing you to get a different iamges than others and discover new place everytime you're here.

Love this POV and the perfect reflection with no ripplings on the lake, like a mirror.

Excellent quality photo with perfect exposure and well manage light.

Way

lousat (138695) 2013-12-27 13:58

Hi Mariusz,there is all the irish juice into this pic,i can hear the sound of bagpipes too...ehehe...a magnificent capture of this landscape made by water and always wet grass,spectacular perspective with a magic reflection in background and fantastic colors,very well done! I wish you all the best and thanks,Luciano

Cricri (176) 2013-12-28 0:35

Hi Mariusz
J'adore Irlande, il y a une force sauvages qui me fait ręver, loin de tout dans un silence complet de la nature, une trčs belle réalisation, superbe couleurs et reflets
Belle journée
cricri

jhm (211734) 2013-12-28 1:43

Witaj Mariusz,

What a quiet picture I can almost feel the perfect nature.
A nice perspective and depth picture.
Your pictures is fine to look at.
Sharpness and clarity be superb.
Excellent composition, TFS.

Have a nice weekend,
John

fabbs99 (17179) 2013-12-28 19:33

Hello Mariusz,

Fascinating composition of the lake and the hill with great exposure, splendid light and wonderful warm colors.Great POV and good composition.Excellent composition, good presentation too. Very well done, TFS.

Cheers
Farhat

SWEETFREEDOM (24623) 2013-12-29 1:20

Hi Mariusz,
beautiful details, colors, p.o.v. and reflections, yes a better light would have been better but you must be proud the same of the final result.
regards and happy new year
Alessandro

adores (46979) 2013-12-29 7:56

Hi Mariusz!
Wonderful place and a beautiful reflection! You got so much detail on the rocks, in foreground. Well managed light and very nice colours! It's a very good shot!
Have a Great New Year!

adramad (72600) 2013-12-29 11:35

Hello Mariusz.
Fascinating landscape that captures you perfectly, no doubt with the best of POV ... wonderful these still waters that make mirror for all extremely beautiful mountains that close the image, with its beautiful and varied palette.
Very good sharpness and brightness.
Good job. I love it.
Have a good day.
Best wishes.
Luis.

willperrett (14195) 2014-01-03 4:01

Hello Mariusz
Tremendous depth of focus: I can't find the exif data to find out what aperture you were using, but I bet it was a big f-number. Beautiful colours (which may have a little "help" from P'shop?) and reflections. I read your reply to John about the distortion. I agree with him that it's barely perceptible, but on the other hand if it bothers you, it can be corrected! Mind if I try a little WS?
Regards, and Happy New Year
Will

[workshop] [compare]

chawax (20764) 2014-01-03 13:48

Hi Mariusz,
A very good point of view on this Wicklow mountains lake with beautiful reflections and so many colours. Very good light, excellent sharpness as usual.
Regards,
Olivier

josepmarin (59385) 2014-01-05 10:22

Witaj Mariusz,
what a fantastic mirror-effect in this shot.
The beauty of these mountains and its reflections on the lake create a wonderful panorama of this awesome landscape. The good light, the great sharpness, the colours quality, and the stones in foreground, complete a superb composition.
Best regards,
Josep
I wish you and your family a very Happy New Year!

SimoAle (646) 2014-01-07 7:45

Ciao Mariusz
incantevole questa natura che condivi insieme a noi.
Adoro le immagini che hanno come protagonista il riflesso nell'acqua. Hai curato nei particolari il taglio ed i colori, il risultato č strepitoso!
Complimenti!
Simona

bona (15057) 2014-01-22 11:22

Hi Mariusz,

fantastic photo and place! I saw that you used a 10-22mm lens, but I be curious about the f/stop you used here since the maximum f/stop to the lens is 4.5 but you got a fantastic depth of field with sharpness in the many layers.
Nice you visit this place and took this photo for us.
Regards
Andre

i9l2y1m8a8t3 (4814) 2014-03-21 2:01

Sharp! I liked the glow of the natural colors as well as the reflections though at some point I wished I could've seen a bit of the sky. Ankle-deep mud? Hmm... Sounds interesting, it just shows that off beaten places are really rewarding after the pain that you've been through. This one is a great photograph!

all the best,
Matt

P.S. The link doesn't seem to work.

fritzi007 (14698) 2015-01-19 12:19

Hallo Mariusz,
This picture was taken on one of TrekEarth meetings with darek1978, ich dachte, das es TrekEarth noch nicht gegeben hat. Dein Foto ist wirklich super, sehr gute Spiegelungen im Wasser, sehr gute Fotoqualität, gratuliere dir!
(Mein letztes Foto wurde wieder eliminiert, Danke TE-Administrator)
Viele Grüße
Wolfgang

brianmcc (6223) 2015-06-07 12:35

hi mariusz,
this is a wonderful picture. your positioning and composition are perfect to capture this beautiful scene. the reflections in the water are superb. great foreground leading into the scene and lovely natural colours.
kind regards,
brian

COSTANTINO (115645) 2019-03-05 12:20

hello dear friend and have a nice time
and a happy new day
your chosen title
is the best and me too I cannot
understand the reason of uploading
this wonderful photo so many years after
but at last you did it perfectly
first shot quality
regards
Costantino