Sunday, February 5, 2017

Reflected Light on Snow

The deep rut is lit by a low sun from the left.

Winter Day by Peder Mørk Mønsted (Danish, 1859-1941)
The snow in shadow areas in the foreground takes on the color of the light sources shining into them. Cast shadows on horizontal planes facing upward toward the blue sky are relatively cool or bluish, such as the shadows in the rut or the cast shadows of the stone wall.

Sleigh Ride on a Sunny Winter Day by Peder Mørk Mønsted 
Vertical planes on the shadow side of the rut are relatively warm because they're receiving mostly reflected light. The rounded humps of snow gradually transition from cool in the top planes to warm in the down-facing planes.

Peder Mørk Mønsted on Wikipedia
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3 comments:

  1. Awana73February 5, 2017 at 2:49 PM

    Thanks, James! I "know" this in my head, but this is a great visual!!!!!!! Wonderful example!

    ReplyDelete
  2. AndraFebruary 5, 2017 at 5:13 PM

    The snow there is just so right! Very well observed, and analysed.

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousFebruary 6, 2017 at 6:58 AM

    Excellent. Aldro Hibbard is also a wonderful source of practice on this high-value subject. GJ

    ReplyDelete

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