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The Christmas Card
The Christmas Card
SandyP


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Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Best of 2005 (Advanced Editing IV*)
Collection: Estes Park, Colorado
Camera: Canon EOS-20D
Location: Estes Park, Colorado
Date: Jan 1, 2006
Aperture: F9
ISO: 400
Shutter: 1/100
Galleries: Cityscape
Date Uploaded: Jan 1, 2006

I took this in Estes Park, Colorado right after a snow blanketed the town. It was so cold, no self-respecting soul (except a determined photographer) would be out. That's the only way I was able to capture this normally hustling & bustling street without people on it. Just taking my mitten off long enough to snap the shutter made my hands feel like there was no skin on them. But I love the shot, and I think it was more than worth it :)

I had this picture posted on BetterPhoto, and the owner of The Cary's Candy Company in Oregon saw it and asked for permission to use it as the cover of their Christmas catalogue. :)

Statistics
Place: 85 out of 833
Avg (all users): 6.5329
Avg (commenters): 8.2439
Avg (participants): 6.4067
Avg (non-participants): 7.0854
Views since voting: 9431
Views during voting: 641
Votes: 441
Comments: 74
Favorites: 34 (view)


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AuthorThread
02/16/2013 02:39:38 PM
jeez, i'm shivering just looking at this...haha.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
08/01/2007 10:38:20 AM
One of the most picturesque winter season town photos I've ever seen. Beautiful. Fast fowarding from it being a hot Summer now to Winter, I can get sense of the cold whiff in the air.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/18/2007 09:23:40 PM
So many months have past and here I am looking at it again. :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/08/2007 01:19:12 PM
Sandy, I always keep coming back to look at this photo. I can never get tired of it. Very peaceful. Outstanding job.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/27/2007 01:09:42 PM
This is spectacular.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/07/2007 03:47:21 PM
Super angle and lighting captured. I'm in Estes Park about once every two years (biennial conference w/work) but it's always in the summer. I know what you mean about the cold--I'm in Buffalo right now where there have been very low temps...
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/18/2007 02:54:21 AM
Love the muted colours combined with the Xmas lights, a rare time of day into night.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
12/31/2006 06:44:16 PM
This certainly has a very "Christmasy" atmosphere to it - it would make a good Christmas card indeed! Excellent shot.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
09/15/2006 05:09:15 PM
Very nice, You really captured the mood and feeling of the town and getting the shot when the town was empty would have taken a lot of cold... My grandparents had a cabin just above Estes Park so I grew up going to Estes Park quite a bit so I still love to go there now and then.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
08/19/2006 05:51:15 PM
This could deffo make a xmas card. Stunningly beautiful
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/22/2006 11:53:27 AM
How did I miss this shot?? I love everything about it! This instantly transfers the mood from the photo to the viewer. The christmas feel is unmistakable. The desolate feel of no one about, cold breeze. Definately one of my favorites.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/13/2006 10:24:33 AM
I remember voting on this image. It struck me as post-card perfect. After I finished enjoying it, I set about trying to find something wrong. I failed and decided that it was perfect. Gave it a 10 and expected it to ribbon. Absolutely incredible.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
06/24/2006 09:05:06 AM
Not sure what I like about this one I think it must be the lines and repitition. The overall composition is good and I think snow and mist always look good too.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/08/2006 11:16:24 PM
I apologize. I originally posted this when my son was logged on the computer, and I didn't realize it.

I just added this to my favorites (and if you check, I have relatively few faworites). Viewing this picture simply makes me feel good inside. I think that says it all and says enough. But, here's more. I really, really like this and I'm envious enough to fly northwest to try to find my own. Nice job.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/08/2006 11:09:01 PM
My dad messed up. See yakatme above.

Message edited by author 2006-03-08 23:15:01.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/28/2006 03:42:19 AM
Great job Sandy, right place right time.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/28/2006 01:37:53 AM
I remember this from Best of. What a great picture with the cold of winter snow offset by the warm toned street lights. Perfect framing and even a hint of the mountains top RH BG???? Great all the way around.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/10/2006 03:35:41 PM
WOW!! This is beautifull to say the least...

Silent, and soft, and slow Desends the snow. (Longfellow)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/10/2006 02:52:19 PM
What a superb shot!
Yes, it WAS worth it. The subtle detail of the mountian in the background adds so much depth here.
Beautiful shot Sandy.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/10/2006 01:39:53 PM
Beautiful! :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/05/2006 05:47:02 AM
Great shot Sandy, I wish we had more scenery shots like this one to be taken in New Zealand. Xmas lights on buildings are slowly being used more and more, but we dont get much snow at Xmas
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/01/2006 08:37:22 AM
Sandy, this is an absolutely beautiful shot. Congratulations.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/01/2006 07:25:26 AM
Way to go Sandy
I also agree with aerogurl!
congrats on a top 100 finish .
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/01/2006 05:05:27 AM
Well done my best friend.... a top 100 in this challenge makes you one of the best.. proud of you for seeing this great shot.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/01/2006 01:27:13 AM
Top 7% finish thats great Sandy, the Challenge has a high acheiver vote,when you see 6.5 0n page 9, well done.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/01/2006 01:06:36 AM
I absolutely agree with Aerogurl!! You didn't need a score card for this photograph. It is a First Place winner in my opinion!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/01/2006 12:27:07 AM
Absolutely beautiful! Well done!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/01/2006 12:24:52 AM
85th... give me a break. U WERE ROBBBED
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
01/31/2006 11:45:15 PM
very thomas kincade.. love it!!! 9. bumping up to 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/31/2006 11:11:03 PM
What a beautifully perfect Christmas card picture. Your white balance is right on the money to create that cold feeling. Very very nice!!!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/31/2006 05:33:58 PM
GREAT TITLE, FITS IT PERFECTLY!!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/31/2006 03:27:58 PM
This is breathtaking. I do hope you will write where it was taken. The pureness gave it the quality
of the fourties and fifties;
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/31/2006 11:24:22 AM
Very moody scenario :).
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/29/2006 02:16:55 PM
if a sleigh was on the road, this would of been a masterpiece. Great color, great dof, nice lines, color flat but because of the atmosphere, good texture, excellent comp, overall have a print available
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/29/2006 01:28:17 AM
Yep, that is a Christmas Card! Excellent.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/27/2006 10:44:07 PM
This is just so lovely. It really does look like the perfect scene for a Christmas card.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/26/2006 10:32:48 PM
very nice picture. As you say, a perfect christmas card.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/26/2006 03:32:30 PM
I would definately buy this christmas card.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/26/2006 11:58:48 AM
The title says it all.....
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/26/2006 12:29:20 AM
Wonderfully done, Currier and Ives for sure, where is the sleigh? :-)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/25/2006 09:46:18 PM
well done
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/24/2006 03:09:08 PM
I love this!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/23/2006 09:45:18 AM
So beautiful. 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/22/2006 11:15:04 PM
nice
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/22/2006 12:23:13 PM
To me, the very simple line of the far kerb and the tyre marks in the road lead one in and the clarity is great. The sense of atmospheric perspective is something that I particularly like. As this picture was loading in my browser, the first part I could see was the very top, just a few branches and some sky, so I wasn't expecting much. When the whole picture had loaded, I was taken aback at the subtlety of the colours, the great capture of the lights and the sense of peacefulness. A lovely shot indeed. The only thing that I might consider changing would be the bench in the lower left. I feel that perhaps it 'chops off' the corner there by appearing as a dark patch.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/21/2006 08:22:32 PM
This really does look like a Hallmark! Great job!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/21/2006 06:37:49 PM
BEAUTIFUL, BEAUTIFUL, BEAUTIFUL, I'm speechless. What a perfect Christmas Card. It does'nt get any better than this- 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/20/2006 11:59:07 PM
Hallmark perfect!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/20/2006 10:47:54 AM
Old fashioned feel to this picture, nice shot!!!!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/20/2006 09:04:43 AM
Enchanting.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/20/2006 06:39:17 AM
Simply gorgeous!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/19/2006 08:44:42 PM
great look and feel ... i'd like to take a quite walk here ... how many days until next christmas?
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/19/2006 01:35:11 PM
Is this a real town? It almost looks like Disneyland like this. :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/19/2006 09:17:24 AM
what an enchanting pic...like something out of dickens..good luck!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/19/2006 07:41:35 AM
Magical
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/19/2006 07:20:07 AM
Indeed a christmas card, one you should really consider to sell to the highest bidder.
Looking at the pic I am astounded by the sheer beauty you have captured. Then one looks at the technicalities.. all by the book, but secondary once an image like this has been captured. The sharpness, contrasts and light play is great. The surreal serenity is worth remembering forever. Mind you, it is that little purple that caught my eye... and kept it!10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/18/2006 10:46:49 PM
10 from me....good luck!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/18/2006 09:11:44 PM
I like the blue cast here from the evening light, it really gives the place a nice atmosphere.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/18/2006 09:03:19 PM
This reminds me of a Thomas Kinkade painting. Great job.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/18/2006 06:34:59 PM
This looks very much like a Christmas card! Wonderful job! 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/18/2006 03:17:47 PM
Beautiful. I love the mood you've captured and the composition is outstanding.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/17/2006 04:57:59 PM
You've managed to capture the light associated with these types of days superbly. Brilliant work.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/17/2006 11:43:07 AM
Where is this place?? Your eye has made me want to go!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/17/2006 03:36:51 AM
Just so special and a lovely scene
Congratulations on achieving an image I would love to take
I hope it does really well
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/17/2006 12:05:23 AM
how hallmark! very nice capture - 9
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/16/2006 11:53:18 PM
That is perfect for a Christmas card....wonderful photo.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/16/2006 11:13:21 PM
Outstanding snow shot!! Looks just like a postcard for sure. I can almost smell the cold air from here!! WOW
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/16/2006 06:02:47 PM
Excellent card
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/16/2006 05:41:05 PM
What a Brilliant image of tranquility & peace if the world was an oyster this would be the pearl, a great capture, the lighting & sharpness are outstanding.....10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/16/2006 05:22:56 PM
It's too bad the mountain isn't a little more visible, as it certainly figures large in the identity of this place. Nice composition though.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/16/2006 04:31:45 PM
This is the most perfect Christmas Card photo I've seen. Just enought clouds and fog to juggest continued depth with the lights being so sharp with no blur. Well done!!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/16/2006 12:17:09 PM
Brrrrr, I'm glad I don't live where you live. Nice shot, beautifully placed in the frame.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/16/2006 11:21:32 AM
It is a Christmas Card. Lovely. Just a tad bit more focus on the right would have given me cause to ten it, but still a (9) for me.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/16/2006 04:34:30 AM
christmas card it is! Superb photo. Fav. 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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