Photo Challenge: Frozen

After an extended hiatus for the holiday season, the Brenda Photo Challenge is back! The winter weather has been unusually harsh and a constant topic of conversation here in the States. Perhaps only Hawaii has escaped from the grips of chilling temperatures and the associated gripes by residents! Appropriately, the current theme is of the photo challenge is Frozen.

There is something absolutely magical about snow, our winter visitor during the cold months. It is a significant transforming element for photography. The white blanket clears the clutter normally seen through the viewfinder. The subject matter stands out clearly. And the end result takes your mind off the cold your body feels. Instead, you focus on the warmth in your heart for the stark beauty and contrasts.

With the combination of a bright sunny morning, fresh snowfall, and a local horse neighbor, this dramatic scene unfolds. I applied a slight Orton effect in Photoshop CS5 to give the image a 3-dimensional effect. Isn’t this pinto handsome?!

A craftsman-style bridge is located right down the hill from our cottage. We ventured out to enjoy the peaceful beauty after one of our recent snowfalls, and I took along my little Coolpix camera. I like how the hillside, walking trail, meandering creek, and fence line create striking visual lines in this composition.

And with this challenge’s theme, you know that I have to show you another polar bear picture from our arctic adventure in Churchill, Manitoba! This adorable brute had been cavorting in the fresh snow and proudly wore the evidence of his celebration.

Now that you have seen my contributions to the challenge, please click on the link at the beginning of this post and find some other great Frozen images!