50 shades of blue - Snow temperature preferences?

[Mgoldman]

When it comes to snow shots - what is preferable to you?

I have a few Winter NEC shots that I may post before diving into Spring and I'm curious as to what temperature is most appealing and /or accurate. A similar situation occurred after a Lerro Productions charter at the Wilmington and Western where several patrons posted photos with wide ranging temperatures. I think a few of us appreciated some similar to previous accepted images as a photo processed as "cool" is as unique as a photo processed "warm", as color is to b&w, perhaps. The same issues arise when posting star filled skies - especially those capturing the Milky Way. Blue sky or white?

Thoughts? And specifically, thoughts on the image below (and perhaps why?) Thanks!

Cool /blue:


In between blue


In between white


Warm white:


/Mitch

[Mgoldman]

Bonus poll question - more appealing as above in the "temperature" of your choice or with emphasis on snow and contrast:

Low contrast


High contrast:


/Mitch

[bigbassloyd]

It was taken around 11am, so it would probably need to be closer to #3 than #2. If it was closer to daybreak / dusk than 2 or maybe even 1 would be ok.

Loyd L.

[Mgoldman]

Originally Posted by bigbassloyd

It was taken around 11am, so it would probably need to be closer than #3 and #2. If it was closer to daybreak / dusk than 2 or maybe even 1 would be ok.

Loyd L.

Excellent response and great insight. My recollection of "reality" when shooting in the snow is the real "in person" view is often more dingy and dark, more so then blue or white.

Which do you prefer between #2 and #3, then? They are quite different. -Note, I'm a fan of #3 and I edited that image in after your response. Credit to Google's "NIK Software" which has a nice QUICK filter called "Pro Contrast" which allows adjustment of "color cast" only.

/Mitch

[bigbassloyd]

I just realized I didn't type it out properly, sorry. It would need to be closer to 3 than 2. I prefer the 3rd edit, but maybe a light touch of blue to it.

Loyd L.

[NorthWest]

I prefer number 3, as it seems closest to what my eye would actually see.

Regarding contrast, the high contrast brings out the thrown-up snow better, but it also makes the snow spots on the lens much more visible. I'm not sure which one I like better.

[JimThias]

As someone who shoots a lot in the winter, I prefer them all. I agree with Loyd, it depends on what time of the day it is and what the lighting is like at the time.

[KevinM]

I've never been a fan of the "cool blue" look, so #1 just does not look real to me. Similarly, the "warm" look isn't realistic either. Like most of the others, I think #3 is the best compromise.

With regard to contrast, I would be looking for something in between the two. The high contrast version looks better than the low contrast one, but I would back off just a tad.

[a231pacific]

Cracks and crevices in ice are often blue, as are depressions and shadowed areas in snow, especially older snow with a higher ice content. Falling snow and fresh snow on the surface is white and the image should be balanced to show that as white. Image #3 is the closest to what I would consider reality.

When I used to shoot Kodachrome, under exposing by 1/3 stop would generally produce white snow with bluish shadows on a sunny day.

Of course, there is also yellow snow!

Michael Allen

[miningcamper1]

I'd go with neutral or slightly blue. And the contrasty one looks like HDR.

I seem to recall "warm" snow scenes getting the "bad color" rejection.

Someday I'll re-do this one (screeners gave thumbs-down). My old monitor did not show the color cast.

[miningcamper1]

"In between" comes from behind and takes the lead...

Still, opinion is divided, so...chances are the opinions of the screeners would be divided as well.

The Wheel of Fortune spins on...