The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
It surprised me that several members commenting on my prior post noted they were unfamiliar with this waterfall. (I suppose it’s a risk to think that just because an icon is well known here, it is well known everywhere.) I took this image for my own enjoyment, and wasn’t planning on posting it. It’s the classic view that is in your face when you walk up to the waterfall; nothing unique here. However, partly because others are not as familiar with it and partly because I’d like feedback, I decided to go ahead and post it.
Specific Feedback
I find posting images that use deep shadow and black to be quite tricky. They depend a lot on monitor calibration and viewing environment. I’d love your thoughts on how the balance of tones looks on your end.
I wanted deep shadows to accentuate the waterfall, and yet I didn’t want the waterfall to be so bright that it made the shadow detail hard to see. How does the balance look to you?
Technical Details
NIKON Z 7II
NIKKOR Z 24-200 f/4-6.3 VR at 40.0 mm
1/2 sec. at f/7.1 and ISO 31
Critique Template
Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas.
John, your simple yet wonderful composition is quite stunning, featuring a brilliant comparision of light and dark. There is just enough texture and detail in the backgroud rock to see what is supporting the waterfall. The relatively fast shutter speed of .5 seconds shows motion, but still has some text to the falling water. I would offer to your consideration, to blur slightly the forest above the top of the waterfall. Well done.
Hi john,
I am really liking the symmetry you composed in this image as you gave the waterfall and the basalt walls even billing. The vertical lines also work quite nicely in this horizontal format. IMO the balance between the light tones of the falls and the darker ones of the basalt walls looks to be just about perfect as I can see detail in both, so I think you nailed that. I am glad you posted these as I do not recall seeing any images of this waterfall before. Beautifuuly done; no suggestions from me.
Hi @John_Williams, A lovely image of a really fine block falls. I really like the b&w processing you have done on this, getting really wonderful detail in the rock walls and that smooth ribbon of water. I’ve never been to Oregon to shoot but it reminds me a lot of a falls I made an image of near the finger lakes in upstate New York. I’ll put it on my list for when I get out there.
I’m a sucker for black and white, especially high contrast black and white, and this checks those boxes. I’m especially fond of the texture in the waterfall and the mist that appears like an apparition at the bottom of the falls. Fantastic work!
I think you nailed the balance on this John. I just bought a new BenQ 32 inch 4k photographer monitor last week and I have been through the calibration with a new Spyder Pro and so I’m not sure if my monitor is right just yet but it should be. I have been on the line with BenQ twice as I am not sure about what I’m seeing since the images processed with my previous monitor are quite different looking now. So, all that to say that you have to have a very well calibrated monitor to show deep shadow and blacks correctly or else things fall apart quickly. On my monitor this looks perfect. I love the detail in the vertical basalt the highlights shining through. The whites of the waterfall look great tom me. It’s punchy without screaming at you. I like this one as is.
@John_Williams, I love this black and white interpretation of the waterfall! It is beautiful. I have a minor suggestion, though, and that’s to increase the contrast of the basalt wall a bit. It is so beautiful and deserves a little more pop (IMHO). I decided to create an imperfect example. I used the High Pass filter in Photoshop (under “Other Filters”) and a technique to change the luminosity/contrast of the scene. Then used Levels to slightly lower the mid-tones. I’m attaching the result as well as a screen shot of the layers in which I did the work. You can see in the screenshot the settings I used, including Overlay blending mode, The walls may be adjusted a bit too much, but you can see what I’m trying to convey. Cheers!
I really don’t have much to add to what’s already been said but I just wanted to say that I think this is very beautiful with the wonderful symmetry, strong and yet simple composition and the wonderful rough textures in the rocks and how that is complimented by the smooth texture of the flowing water. Very nice!
Interesting thought to blur the forest Gary; I wouldn’t have thought of that. I’ll play with it to compare.
Guy, it’s a wonderful place to visit; I hope you can make it out here to check it out.
David, that’s fascinating that your prior images look that different. I wish you lived around the corner so I could see that. I would eventually like to upgrade, and wonder if that’s in my future too.
Thank you for taking the time to do that Susanna. I don’t use High Pass much, so it’s interesting to see your version. I’m adding it to the original post so it’s easier to compare.
@John_Williams , I should have lightened the waterfall a bit! I didn’t want the wall to overtake it. High Pass is an awesome filter that I’m using more and more for luminosity adjustments.
