The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
This was late afternoon one Autumn day along the Merced River. When I first saw this quiet scene, I wrote it off as being nearly impossible to get a decent exposure and then I remembered my trusty GND filters.
I mounted the 3-stop GND at angle on the sunlit portion of the reflection and just below the rocks and took a couple of shots. This is the result after some post processing.
Specific Feedback
I am looking for any thoughts you may have regarding possible improvements.
Just a note: The very dark streak at the top of the image is a reflection of the nearly dry Bdridalveil Falls. I thought about cloning it out, but left it in. Should it stay, or go?
Technical Details
Nikon D-7100 Nikkor 18-140 @ 60mm. F16 @ 1/20 s, ISO 320.
Singh-Ray 3-Stop Soft ND Grad
ACR
Photo Shop 2024
Neat Image NR
Critique Template
Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas.
This one puzzles the brain in a good way. Initially I thought it was just half reflection, but then the trees corrected me on that. I kind of like the black streak of the dry falls. It balances the smaller rock in the lower right quarter, which I initially thought was a reflection of something on the rock faces above.
Itâs a compelling scene for sure. As for improvements, Iâm not sure the variations of color and texture on the right edge add much, but they donât distract me either.
This is beautiful. The reflection is so crisp and clean and the subtle ripples give the Cathedral Rocks a wonderful dreamy effect countered by the sharp rocks in the water. Great us of the GND. No suggestion for improvement from me.
This is so crisp and clean - but most certainly not too much . I would say perfectly processed. And to that, a big NO on cloning out the Bridal Veil stains on the wall (lack of a better descriptionâŚ)
Hi Preston,
Now that is what I call a mirror like reflection; everything looks so crisp. The light bathing the rock faces is flat out gorgeous and I love the clouds in the sky. The black streaks from Bridal Veil Falls does not bother me at all. My only suggestion would be to clone out that black rock towards the LRC as it just seems out of place for me. Not sure why; maybe because it appears to be in the light and the others in the shade. Definitely not a deal breaker though as this is a wonderful intimate landscape.
Oooh, very cool image! I wouldnât clone anything out. I love the dark rock thatâs towards the LRC by itself - it gives an even more surreal air to this.
I like this image. Itâs confusing in a good way. Most confusing is the lower right rock and that conveys the message even more. Iâm not entirely sure how I feel about the image though. Iâm not sure if the âtwo worldsâ complement each other or are just unrelated.
I really like the clarity in the reflection and the right side up rocks combined with the upside-down reflection make for a nice little âpuzzleâ for the brain. My favourite part of this image is the small crescent shapes cool coloured stone in the bottom right and how it contrasts with the warm colours all around it. I have absolutely no nits with this and I like the image very much!
Amazing!! All said above! But I think removing the lone rock toward the lower right would add even more to the surreal nature, and could be done so well these days. Iâd just think of it as a twofer.
Preston, the clarity of the reflections is amazing. It does make for a bit of a double takeâŚwhatâs up and whatâs down⌠The grad ND and your use of it did a great job creating a nicely balanced view. I wouldnât remove the reflection of dry BridalVeil, but I might do some darka dodging to reduce itâs visual impact.
