Winters Fury by Marc Adamus

Monday, 21st December 2009

Winter’s Fury

by Marc Adamus

In January of 2007 I made an ascent of Oregon’s Iron Mountain in very deep new snow. Near the summit, I encountered high winds and this ancient Basalt pinnacle (roughly 75m high), the remnants of a volcanic mountain’s core. I noticed some complimentary lines in the immediate foreground and decided to hunker down and see what I could shoot for half an hour or so. This capture remains one of my favorite images because of the way it describes the scene and puts the viewer out in the elements.
The blowing snow detail works better when seen larger, but hopefully you can see enough here to make it work.

Equipment: Canon 5D, Canon 16-35 f/2.8

Marc Adamus

I am a professional landscape photographer based in the Northwest US. My love in life is wilderness. I seek to bring my experiences to you through photography.

www.marcadamus.com

22 Comments

mike Says:
December 21st, 2009 at 1:51 am
I like the snowy scene. We just got 2 feet of snow here on Long Island.
Gina Says:
December 21st, 2009 at 2:10 am
Very cold and harsh looking, but there’s a wild beauty there. Wonderful!
Ariel Says:
December 21st, 2009 at 4:20 am
Ah, good ole Marc. One of my fav. landscape photographers ever. You can get calendars of his on his website. (I don’t make any money plugging him. I’m just a satisfied customer who owns two of his calendars.)
paul whitton Says:
December 21st, 2009 at 7:08 am
I want to thank you for, being out there in those conditions, and then bearing it for yet another 30 mins, so as I can enjoy this incredible scene in the comfort of my office. I can appreciate the trials and tribs, of a photographer, congratulations, what a supurb shot ot be the owner of!
Anurag Says:
December 21st, 2009 at 7:43 am
Amazing scene. All that snow the sharp lines and the pointed peaks really give the feeling of *biting* cold.
Ariel, Marc is one of my favourites too. Really admire his work.
su Says:
December 21st, 2009 at 8:32 am
Winters fury indeed, I can almost hear that wind howling aound and the snow biting. Lovely, lovely shot. Congrats.
Fab Says:
December 21st, 2009 at 9:40 am
nice capture. Freezing cold.
Wanda Krack Says:
December 21st, 2009 at 11:01 am
A beautiful scene, and well-captured. Wonderful lines. The blowing snow makes it shine!
Marie Dunphy Harding Says:
December 21st, 2009 at 2:36 pm
Wonderful shot! The shadows on the snow drifts make it even more beautiful. Thank you.
Dianne Says:
December 21st, 2009 at 4:30 pm
I know the feeling of these snows first hand. Wow, you have captured this quite profoundly. What beauty and grandeur! Immensly cold. Great shot, thank you for shooting this incredible state. Your work is Amazing!
Malta Photography Says:
December 21st, 2009 at 5:11 pm
great exterior shot indeed
varanasi Says:
December 21st, 2009 at 6:14 pm
Spectacular!
SergioLuisSilva Says:
December 21st, 2009 at 10:03 pm
Awsome composition!!Seems like an explosion made of snow!!Great photo!!
João Ganhão Says:
December 22nd, 2009 at 12:12 am
Gelid look! Good picture, seems digital generated!
Marc Adamus Says:
December 22nd, 2009 at 1:10 am
Thanks folks for the comments. Joao – it’s important for me to note that no part of this image is “digital generated”. All that was done here was the black and white conversion, toning and dodge/burning.

In all my years as a photographer, this is likely my favorite image I’ve captured personally. I have not yet rendered another photograph that captured the energy of winter in the mountains the way this does for me. I’m glad it appeared here are happy to share it with you all.
Grete Says:
December 22nd, 2009 at 2:35 am
Incredible scene, it’s the decisive moment as Cartier-Bresson said! congratulations.
Renee Says:
December 22nd, 2009 at 4:24 pm
Wonderful shot!
michael anderson Says:
December 22nd, 2009 at 8:24 pm
Marc,

This is in the top three for favorites from your portfolio. It captures the feeling of the wind in the wilderness better than any other I’ve seen.
Tad Bowman Says:
December 23rd, 2009 at 3:44 am
Excellent photograph. I love the mood portrayed in this shot.
Katherine Lee Strassburg Says:
December 23rd, 2009 at 3:49 am
Just looking at it makes my nose hairs freeze! Not many of us have the fortitude/foolishness and dedication it takes to get a shot like this. WOW!
Ellen Empson Says:
December 24th, 2009 at 3:04 am
THis is the stuff that success is made from.

What a fine, fine image.
João Ganhão Says:
December 26th, 2009 at 9:24 pm
I know Marc, i say it like a complement. Good job!