|
| Group |
Round |
C/R |
Comment |
Date |
Image |
| 36 |
Jan 22 |
Reply |
This is always something I think about when shooting watrfalls. Most often when falls are photographed the makers zoom in more tightly. I get it, you see more of the falls. In the last few years I've moved to a more scenic view approach because fewer people shoot that was and it is a poor attempt on my part to be different.
In this case I was really motivated by the rocks and their reflection in the water. For me it created a visual balance that I liked.
If you want a tighter view of the falls check out the image Ihaks posted in Group 67.
Thanks for your thoughts---I do understand what you suggest. |
Jan 19th |
| 36 |
Jan 22 |
Comment |
Thanks Bill. I bring them down bit, I wondered about that area. |
Jan 14th |
| 36 |
Jan 22 |
Reply |
Thanks Richard
I tried to open those dark area a bit yuet not make them too bright since the rock was dark. I'll have another go at it.
Thanks. |
Jan 14th |
| 36 |
Jan 22 |
Reply |
Thanks Michael. I struggled regarding the top of the falls. the sky was quite plain and grey and the top if the falls almost touch the sky from lower position at the splash pool. I really didn't want that blown out dull sky. Maybe in the summer when there are leaves on the trees they might block the sky. This falls is in such a hole. I'm open to suggestions about what to do in this situation. Any help will be appreciated. |
Jan 11th |
| 36 |
Jan 22 |
Reply |
Thanks. I had not thought about the vignette
|
Jan 11th |
| 36 |
Jan 22 |
Comment |
My first impression is that the composition does exactly what you intended. It creates a setting and its lines do lead me to the school. Where we differ is in the overall tone of the image. I will agree that the school is a bit brighter than the foreground and thus draws attention. I just feel that the image is a bit flat and would like to see greater contrast introduced. I realize that this is one of those maker's choice issues and you may prefer the less contrasty appearance. If that is your intention, then it is perfect as shown. |
Jan 9th |
| 36 |
Jan 22 |
Comment |
I love these images that show that early morning or evening alpenglow. They just look magical. With this image however, that is where I look, to the peaks and not to the boulders in the foreground. For me, the image is more about the peaks the the boulders. I do like the shapes and textures of the boulders, now the question is how to make them the subject. |
Jan 9th |
| 36 |
Jan 22 |
Comment |
And a very fine tree it is indeed. You have created a beautiful rendition of this lovely tree. i agree that it stands out nicely against the foggy background and it is certainly well seen. My thoughts are two fold. First, I feel your very bright foreground draws the eye away from the tree. This is because the image lacks real contrast. Perhaps by adding a linear foreground gradient positioned diagonally along the sloping ground and then darkening the foreground just slightly would draw more attention to the tree. The second thought would be to simply step back a step or two to include a bit of the environment and thus show the element of solitude. As is,I just feel it is a portrait of the tree and doesn't show the solitude. |
Jan 9th |
| 36 |
Jan 22 |
Comment |
This is a dramatic image with the exploding wave and the lighthouse rising above everything. Photography is always about choices and for me the story is the sea entering from the right and the explosion with the lighthouse rising about it all. To that end I would suggest getting close, eliminating the sand in the foreground and making the image more of a pano. This would show off the explosion and also make the lighthouse a greater player in the story. I just feel the sand stands out as being too bright and draws the eye away from the real show. See attachment below. |
Jan 8th |
 |
| 36 |
Jan 22 |
Comment |
Like Michael I like the diagonal positioning of the falls as it makes the image more dynamic. Being a nature purist I wish all the people were not in the image but I imaging that capturing such an image would be next to impossible. I also feel the image is a bit flat (even with your adjustments) and I wonder if a bit of selective dodging and burning would bring abit more life to the image. |
Jan 8th |
| 36 |
Jan 22 |
Comment |
Thanks for showing an image of a place I have never seen. The best part of the image is the early morning glow on the trees and the tower. The gold against the blue background is striking. My first thought when seeing this is the use of a polarizer would have made a great deal of difference on the water by removing all the glare. I strong encourage the use of this filter every time there is water or ie and snow in the scene. My second thought is about general composition. It is usually best not to place the horizon line in the center of the image. You should thing about the vertical rule of thirds. 2/3 water 1/3 sky or in reverse 2/3 sky and 1/3 water making which ever is more pleasing into the larger area. In this case neither sky nor water are particularly nice so I would suggest using a more panoramic style as shown in the accompanying image. |
Jan 8th |
 |
7 comments - 4 replies for Group 36
|
| 67 |
Jan 22 |
Comment |
Couldn't figure out what to do with the rock. Could get it out of the frame and it looked weird being a loner just off center. Maybe I should try to clone it out? |
Jan 14th |
| 67 |
Jan 22 |
Reply |
I'll play with that light area again. I wanted it a litte bright help frame the black rocks of the fall. But I probably left it too bright. Thanks |
Jan 14th |
| 67 |
Jan 22 |
Reply |
Thanks Bud
I tried to get some open areas in the water to show off the ricks in the falls. This seems to be the best. Every falls is different.
I like the Platy pod. Getting low puts animals in a whole different spotlight. They look bigger and more massive plus you can get eye level with shore birds. |
Jan 14th |
| 67 |
Jan 22 |
Comment |
Love photos of glaciers and icebergs so this is a treat. Don't have ice in Florida unless it is in a glass!
The first thing I noticed is the the water level is not straight--it tilts to the right--the ice may not float away, but the water will. :-)
To my eye the image is flat and quite lifeless. You could likely get more out of it by adjusting the white and black points. Try adding some clarity and even opening some shadows with the adjustment brush.
Your sensor is really dirty and there are lots of dust spots.
|
Jan 10th |
| 67 |
Jan 22 |
Reply |
Did you know that the Wanaka Tree was damaged by vandals in 2020. The lower branch that hung over the water was hacked off. |
Jan 7th |
| 67 |
Jan 22 |
Comment |
I wonder what lurks in these woods? You captured of sense of an eerie and forbidding forest. The dark twisted trees are a great barrier. I think I would leave this alone unless you want to darken the trees (blacks) just a bit. Nice capture.
|
Jan 7th |
| 67 |
Jan 22 |
Comment |
You did a really nice job of working with the highlights and bringing this image to life. Keeping that yellow rock in the lower left as an anchor point and using the bright peaks as a rising diagonal line really sets off this image. That rising line adds depth and moves the eye through the image. This is well done as is the choice for a pano crop. This image is about the highlights and those you handled quite will. My suggestion is a bit tricky but look at the original in the lower right corner. Notice how some areas of that land is brighter the closer it gets to the dark red rocks. By using a graduated gradient filter in a diagonal position you could bright up some of the darkness and more replicate the light pattern on the original. Don't bring it up a light just soften the darkness---it might take a few experiments but give it a try.
This is a really dramatic and visually pleasing image with some real WOW attached to it. |
Jan 7th |
| 67 |
Jan 22 |
Comment |
A pretty capture of a Snowy Egret. These are one of the two clowns of the swamps and pools. You did a good job of showing his distinctive yellow feet. I'm not sure if you can save it, but his shoulder is a bit over exposed but my bringing down the white point you might be able to get some of it back. You might consider a fine point for future shootings. When you have bans of dark water such as what is here by moving your camera angle down a bit you could move that black bill onto the lighter water so that it would show more clearly. It appears that the bird is walking so once you get your first shot try changing angles so you hve choices when you get to the computer. |
Jan 7th |
| 67 |
Jan 22 |
Comment |
Great, now I have to go to S.C. to get my Cypress tree picture! GRR! I've been searching for a tree like this in the open water but have not found it yet. I do like the mood here and the and the trees are wonderful. I would offer two suggestions. Remember the odds are better than evens and you have two (even) groups of trees. I would clone out the lone tree on the left (easy enough to do) and then slightly lighten the trees to give them a bit of life. Also lighten the reflection just a bit to reveal some detail. This is really a dynamite image. |
Jan 7th |
| 67 |
Jan 22 |
Comment |
Mostly I like this image. Most of the composition works although I think a slightly lower camera position bringing the viewer into the scene would be stronger. I feel the visual weight of the image hangs on the right side. That massive wall of dark stone and topped with dark trees give the image a ponderous feeling. Part of that might be cropped but a better choice might be to open those black holes in the rocks. Remember when you stood there your eyes could see into those shadow areas because your eyes have greater dynamic range than the camera. But that can be addressed in LR or PS. You could also lighten the trees and even dodge some life into the dead reddish tree on the cliff. Again, remember when you were there that side of the image was not black---there was some life and that can be brought back.
While your sky replacement is well done look at the light on the rocks on the left side. The light striking the rock comes from high in the sky as it is coming down onto the rocks. Note the high portion of the rocks left are being burned by the light. Now look at your sky. The clouds at the top are dark and the lower clouds are where the light is coming from. Thus a sky that had brighter high clouds with some open space and lower clouds that were more solid would be a better match. You also might look at bringing some tint into the water---because your clouds have a great deal of color that should reflect onto the water and perhaps even slightly tint those rocks on the left that are a bit burned. All this can be done with the new adjustment tools in LR. MattK (you can find him on Youtube) has some excellent videos if you want to learn the technique. |
Jan 7th |
| 67 |
Jan 22 |
Reply |
That is lack of reflection is one of the tells that judges use to spot this type of post work. |
Jan 6th |
7 comments - 4 replies for Group 67
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14 comments - 8 replies Total
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