The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
Adams Falls, Ricketts Glen State Park, PA
This is my favorite falls at Ricketts Glen. I find the bottom 10 foot section very interesting and full of possibilities. And further downstream is a large diamond shape rock that makes for a great FG subject. I’ll probably post one of that next time. And it’s right along the road, which is great for an old man like me.
Specific Feedback
Any and all critiques, comments or suggestions welcome.
Technical Details
Nikon D200, 35mm, .8 seconds @ f22, ISO 400, -0.67 ex comp.
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Hi Mike,
Nice rendition of Adams Falls. I quite like the dappled light on the red rocks and your chosen SS works as well as the water has a silky look to it while retaining some details and textures. It is just an all around peaceful image to view and savor. You are right; being close to the road is a real bonus for us older photographers. My only suggestion would be to crop or remove that sliver of water toward the top of the frame as it catches my eye a little. I hope you do not mind, but here is a rework with what I was thinking. Just my opinion of course. Was this taken from that platform of rocks off to the left. I ask because I have one similar to yours. Anyway this is very nicely done. Sorry I had to crop your frame off.
Another very photogenic waterfall here. Both your original and @Ed_Lowe 's rework are excellent renditions on this scene. The small sliver works as a point of reference and starting location for the most part. The cropped scene is a more simplified look for sure. The only thoughts for changes on either is burning down the highlights slightly on the rock faces slightly. Just a minor thought there.
Love the roadside attractions! This is a very nice one Michael, your image makes me want to sit and enjoy some coffee or a lunch and just soak in the vibe.
I’m actually fine with either your original or @Ed_Lowe’s crop. I think @Paul_Breitkreuz nailed the key points between the two.
I plopped the image into Photoshop and just banged around a couple of ideas, as I am want to do, and as always personal preference is strongly in play. Feel free to toss in the Recycle Bin. I played with the luminosities a little, both trying to darken that brightest rock area and lift the darker greens. The rock is a beautiful color, and the color is very strong, so I dropped the saturation just a tad in the shadows. In addition to blue, which looks good, the water has a slight greenish cast. I moved that slightly toward magenta, but restricted it to the water because those rocks are so magenta anyway.
So lovely! The way the water dances down between the rocks is intriguing – it bounces off a rock to the right and spills over a flatter rock to the left , spreading subtly and joining the water coming from behind to make a V, which then splashes and fans out again. Strong shapes contained between very interesting rocks.
I like @John_Williams’ treatment. I’d hate to crop from the top but think it could be effective to darken the isolated patch of water at the top. (Pretend it’s in the shade…)
Michael: What a wonderful scene in wonderful light. I do like the original capture and I like what @John_Williams did as well. I’m Ok with the small upstream fall as a leading element as mentioned by @Paul_Breitkreuz . Another one of your shots that makes me want to go there.>=))>
Thanks @Paul_Breitkreuz , @Ed_Lowe , @Diane_Miller , @John_Williams and @Bill_Fach for your comments and suggestions. Paul, I agree about the highlights. Ed, there was actually more at the top in the og file. I usually don’t like to crop waterfalls down to less than 3x4, which this is. I maybe could have cropped a little from the sides to keep the 3x4. Thanks for the rework, John. Looks good. My eyes are not that sensitive to subtle color variations until they’re pointed out to me and then I smack myself upside the head and think why didn’t I see that.
This last one works for me! The top is so nice and leads gracefully to the falls – or shows where they are coming from! Touchups of the rock highlights and the bright spots on the left as in the OP, and the bright leaning trunk (?) in the UL and for my humble taste it’s perfect!
I have to say that I quite like this as posted and then @John_Williams went ahead and made it even better. The burning of the colored rocks is well done John. Beautiful scene, Michael. I can’t believe this is right along the side of the road. I actually like the top of the image and would include that little sliver of white water near the top but maybe burn it ever so slightly. This is the only nit I could come up with and that is that I’d like just a smidgen more texture in the water particularly where the water is hitting that little log or rock in the middle of the flow and near the bottom. It’s dang good the way it is but my personal preference is for just a little more texture. That’s it. That’s all I’ve got for you.
My only suggestion would be to crop or remove that sliver of water toward the top of the frame as it catches my eye a little. I hope you do not mind, but here is a rework with what I was thinking. Just my opinion of course. Was this taken from that platform of rocks off to the left. I ask because I have one similar to yours. Anyway this is very nicely done. Sorry I had to crop your frame off.
