The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
Over the years my brother and I have been to Blackwater Falls SP, WV on numerous occasions; but I have to say that the last two visits have produced the extremes as far as water flow goes. In September of 2025 it was the lowest flow I have ever witnessed. Even so, I came away with what I thought were some unique takes on the falls as it allowed some views not ordinarily seen. I posted an image from that trip to illustrate the different flows. This past Saturday I was fortunate to witness the largest flow I have ever seen. As an added bonus the big rock that lays at the base of the falls; and always bugs me; was mostly obscured. The water was rolling full blast and filling the air with a misty spray. There was also quite a bit of wind being produced and pushed our way. We were probably two hundred feet away, but I would have to stand in front of the camera and wipe the spray from the front of the lens, duck, trip the shutter and start all over again. I would have loved to stay longer, but I wanted to leave by 7-7:30 as we had a four and a half hour drive in the rain and oncoming darkness to deal with.
Specific Feedback
Overall, how does the processing look? I deliberately kept the colors subdued as it seemed to fit the moment with all of the mist in the air. Does the mud and tannin bother you? Anything else you notice please feel free to mention it.
Technical Details
Nikon Z 7, Nikon Z 24-200 @ 59 mm, f 11 @ 0.4 sec, ISO 100, Kase magnetic CPL, cable release & tripod.
Wow! What a difference a season can make. Quite the extreme in terms of volume. Side note - one of the many reasons to return to a location over and overā¦ you never know what youāre going to get!
You done a great job showcasing the power of these falls - and the large volume, including the tannins, and the mist arising from the crashing falls and swirling wind, all contribute to a powerful and effecive image.
Interesting as I recall your previous post whic you processed in b&w. I remember commenting about space around the falls and that it worked in that composition, and processing.
I think here with a color version with the size and power of the falls, that the surrounding landscape needs more attention? Not to take away from the falls, but to perhaps provide more importance to the falls - Not sure if that makes senseā¦ more surrounding landscape would make the falls a little smaller (with a wider focal length) so how could the falls become more powerful. Hmmmm, Iāll have to think about that comment. Regardless of that comment, Iām wishing for more vegetation/greenery at least left and top. Just my .02
Not at all. In fact I would argue that it improves it. It gives it a āroundnessā. It gives it volume. Falls look 2 dimensional usually and that looks good. But here it looks 3 dimensional. Iām wondering how it would look if it didnāt take up the entire frame. Probably worse. I like the mist thatās at the base and which drifts upwards. Some people may be bothered by it but I like that leaning log in the llc. Itās nice not to have everything perfect.
The second image is less successful in my opinion due to its composition. Half is up and down and the other half is mostly a horizontal wedding cake form. But it has some very nice features like those glistening wet rocks.
You have managed to capture the power of the water itself with all the churning at the base. I like the brown mud and tannins in the water, it gives the falls a depth. I can see what @Lon_Overacker is talking about, having just a little more room around the falls itself. While it might make the falls a bit smaller in the frame, having stationary foliage around it - all calm and not moving - would give the falls a sense of more power. Nonetheless, its a pwerful photo.
Wow, Ed, what a difference in volume! The b&w, low flow version has a fine āfairy fallsā sense with all the little steps in the bottom half looking great. The full falls show great power. The mud + tannin are part of life. Even the Yellowstone River runs muddy at this time of year. I like the mistiness across the bottom of the frame.
Ed, the processing looks fine to me and the tannins donāt bother me. I actually thought they would look over powering when I first looked at the flow of the falls. SS is great. IMHO Blackwater Falls needs to be shot with a SS like this to give the water that look. I think a fast shutter speed looks terrible here. It goves the water a wavy look Only caveat is I would like a little more space on the sides. Overall, a fine picture.
Many thanks everyone @Lon_Overacker, @Igor_Doncov, @Youssef_Ismail, @Mark_Seaver and @Michael_Lowe for your thoughts on this image as it is always appreciated. As a couple of you have suggested here is another file with a little more room around it. Does this work any better for you?
Igor : Funny that you mentioned the fallen log in the LLC as I quite like it as well.
Ed, I too prefer this version, largely because of the flow in the lower right. It feels like ānever satisfiedā, but I could see a modest crop from the top and the left for a bit more emphasis on the falls. The greens are a great addition.
I like the wider view better as well. In particular, the rising mist/spray from the falls is apparent and it seemed to be a feature you first mentioned in your description that was not apparent in the tighter version.
