The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
Worth landscape images are pretty scarce for me as I’ve done little photography in the last year or more. Even upgrading to mirroless with the Z8 (and Z7ii), I haven’t put them to the test much - just one trip where I used the Z8.
This was from last summer. I’ve photographed these falls numerous times and I’m quite sure I’ve posted other versions here in years past. I like the composition and balance here, but am wondering if this just lacks some originality? I think it lacks something. Even in cases like that, I hope the processing at least makes this the best it could be…
Specific Feedback
As always, any and all comments and/or suggestions welcome. I’m really just looking for general feedback on this one. Is there anything more to this than a static cascade and rock?
I think the elements of design in the composition are spot on. Boulders are nicely complementing the focal point of falls. You got the speed just right also. I always struggle with falls and isolation of the focal point. Nice image Lon
Lon, I think we all grapple with thoughts like yours. Is it original? Is any photography truly original anymore? We’re all standing on shoulders that have come before us. We’re all shooting the same subjects. I think we’re all trying to put our own spin on things by using light and shadow and color in different ways. Is your image pleasant to look at? Yes. And I think most of the time that’s all that matters.
Hi Lon,
I actually think this is quite nice. The processing looks to be spot on for my tastes and the diagonal flow of the waterfall; from ULC to LRC; works beautifully. From time to time I think we as photographers struggle with is this image original enough and I think that is a good thing because it means we are constantly striving to improve our craft and not sitting back and being complacent with our previous body of work. BTW, no suggestions from me on this image.
I suspect I know where this is even though I couldn’t google it up. It’s past the winter closure gate at Kennedy Meadows but before the last steep ascent towards the pass. The composition is flawless and the colors are very natural. For me there isn’t enough emotional pull in this image. I just don’t ‘feel’ the image enough, if that makes sense. Maybe it’s just age. I used to take pictures like this so maybe I’ve changed. On the compositional level I feel that some more dark water at the bottom would be desireable.
Lon, I thought I recognized this scene from years ago. I saw your comment from last summer but as you mentioned you’d photographed it in the past. Never any issues in revisits or do overs as it were. Many times it can be just simple weather, seasons, or TOD that can give a different look. No thoughts for change on this neat little fall.
btw: if my recall is correct the Eva Falls name came for a lady firefighter killed in a forest fire accident maybe?..or is my brain ioff the rails here.
Lon, I like the diagonal lines in the rocks and the way they run counter to the falling water. I don’t see how you could have done any better with this scene.
That said, you’re asking questions that, as Michael noted, we all grapple with. It’s why I take a lot fewer standard landscape shots than I used to. The world is awash in well-executed photos of attractive places. It usually takes something different or extra to stir my interest. I can’t say I find that here. But I don’t find it in many of my own photos, either.
Lon, this image is, as already said by many, flawless. Balanced, detailed, nice colors (and maybe yes, a little more black water below could be good, and personaly I find the picture a bit too “tall”) . A pleasant scene, in any case, a moment of pure nature joy. which is represented well. But, as you said, maybe it is missing something. Not much resonance, at least for me. It is a bit… muted, so to say. And again, I feel the same for many of the images I take… and if we start asking why are we photographing a scene, and/or what message we want to convey, or what emotion… it is the beginning of infinite and maybe slippery trail… but potentially quite intriguing
This is lovely Lon. I love granite, and the falls sets it up well. I don’t know what your options were, but wonder about a tad more room on the bottom and right? (…and maybe not; I’d have to compare to actually know if I agree with that thought.)
Often, it’s nice to just sit back and enjoy the beauty.
What you say Michael is so true. Very difficult to be original these days. Most of the time I’m mostly interested in creating the best possible image at any given moment of time - but often lack any emotional connection or uniqueness. Something to consider and work on for sure!
So true Ed. If you’re not learning and growing, well you just simply can’t create better or more meaningful work. Then again, I do photography for me and all my images mean something to me. Deeper meaning experienced by others… not so much.
Can’t argue any of that Igor. I was capturing images like this 30 years ago… so I guess I haven’t grown much… LOL. But then we’re all different, and I’m happy with what I do.
Good call on more dark water at the bottom. I have several other frames, but now remember there were constraints outside the frame forcing the cut off at the bottom/sides. But I agree, there could be a bit more. Actually, I might try a transformation just to elongate the bottom. We’ll see. Thanks for you honest assessment.
Paul, you’re correct. At least that’s the story I got from Preston. I’m pretty sure she didn’t pass at this location, just an honorary tribute. But I believe she was killed in the line of duty.
I guess most of us struggle with this - Maybe struggle isn’t a good word… but the reality of trying to be different, while still enjoying capturing the beauty we find ourselves surrounded by.
Thanks again everyone. Honestly, I don’t have very many recent images that would extend beyond just a pretty picture. Maybe that’s why I’ve gravitated towards ICM’s… hmmmmm
