Critique Style Requested: Standard
The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Last week I was hiking along a stream below the Mogollon Rim in Arizona, For a while I experimented with photographing the water with different shutter speeds. Some of the shots I took at faster speeds had more drama but they didn’t hold up for me.
All comments are welcome.
ISO 100, 86mm, f/11, .3 sec.
My favorite shutter speed range for water: 3. - .5 s. 
And I’m a sucker for rocks in flowing water. Always a great subject.
The composition of the three rocks plus the water is engaging to my eye. It’s not clear that we need the space on the right or left. The water is fun, but the rocks are what draw my attention. For me, an almost square crop around them makes sense.
I’m also not a fan of the color; it strikes me as odd. When I let LR auto-set the WB, it ends up being fairly golden/coppery.
$0.02
Thanks for the feedback, Gary.
Refreshing!! I love the almost-abbreviated motion and the shapes. The whites and blacks feel very well-controlled.
Thanks, Diane.
Nice work, Don. I was going to say that it felt a little close to the frame, but Gary’s comment made me think it might be the differences in space around the subject.
Were you giving the water a place to go? Kind of like a portrait? It might be worth playing with a more equal amount of space, mostly adding space on the left.
ML
Marylynne, thanks for the comment. I took a number of photos of these rocks, at various shutter speeds, and I varied the framing. In some the rocks are farther to the left; in some they’re farther to the right. This was the framing I liked best. I don’t apply any theories when I’m framing a shot. I just move the elements around until the results seem right.
I quite like this. It has a lot of energy and feels alive!
I like the composition (the diagonal X. The shutter speed is about right in that it suggests movement but isn’t slow enough to look like fog. I’m not sure about the color balance because there is an overall green tint to the image.
Tom, Igor, thanks for commenting.
I liked the green tint but it doesn’t seem to poll well. 
I’ll reconsider.
Don: I like the energy you get from your SS and the overall comp is excellent. The tint is intriguing and while I noticed it it wasn’t immediately objectionable and I think it works. Nice find and a fine final result.>=))>
Thanks, Bill.
I should have clarified that the color came entirely from adjusting the white balance. The sun hadn’t risen. Daylight white balance produced a strong blue cast. Auto white balance made it look like midday.. You have to set the white balance somewhere and it’s essentially a matter of taste. I picked a tone that seemed appropriate to me.
I like this photo as it reminds me of a winter storm with clouds and wind! The grey and semi-whites setup a terrific contrast with the darker rocks. I wish I had taken this photo if I’m being honest!
Thanks for the comment, Tom.
