The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
This was taken in a deep canyon near Sonora Pass. The early light on the granite walls was being reflected in the stream. These kinds of images come along rarely, so I could not resist.
Specific Feedback
There are two items that perplexed when processing this:
It was very difficult to pull any shadow detail in the rocks; but I tried.
I am wondering if the saturation of the glow is too much. I actually reduced it in PS during post.
Technical Details
Nikon D-7100
Nikkor 70-200 @ 175
ISO 100, 0.4s, f22
ACR and PSCC-2025
TK’s V 4 actions.
Critique Template
Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas.
Quite striking and I like the colors and the feeling of polished metal I get from this. I think the saturation looks about right - skies can be quite colorful. Scroll cropping to just include the bottom most rock works the best for me. Simplifies things and makes for a bolder (pardon the pun) statement.
Having seen many scenes like this myself here in Moab, I know firsthand how saturated and colorful the reflections can be. In this image, your colors look perfect to my eye. Composition is also outstanding. I’m loving the warm/cool contrasts with reflections and rocks, as well as the bit of blue sky being picked up in a few spots on the water. I don’t think you need any more detail in the rock shadows. Beautiful, contemplative image.
Like you, I am intrigued at the scene. Must have been a quietly spectacular moment.
Like Kristin, I found myself enjoying the lower part of the scene. My initial reaction was that the top rock drew my attention strongly. I tried to crop it out, leaving its reflection, but then my eye went back and forth between the 2 remaining rocks. I realized that the elements that I enjoyed were the slash coming from the left, the gold and blue swirls in the water, and the contrast between the one cold blue stone and the warm water. So … I tinkered with saturation, contrast, sharpening, and a warming filter on the rock. I realize that the result might be too saturated for some viewers, but it is offered for consideration.
Wonderful Preston! Now I know you know Sonora Pass better than me and you’ve been traversing the Sierra for a long time… I’m guessing Leavitt creek? Of course it doesn’t matter…
Despite granite in general having a “hard” almost forboding character, I find this stream and reflect very peaceful. This most certainly brings me there as if I were sitting on the bank enjoying not only the pretty reflections, but the coolness of the water, the sounds of the cascades, etc. Just a lovely scene and image.
To your question, no, I do not believe it’s over saturated. In fact, I think there’s room to bring it out even more, if just a tad. I think the reworks look good without going overboard. Of course color/saturation are always subject to the photographer’s desires, so you’re good as posted.
My suggestion is along the lines of Kris and the topic of the top set of rocks. My first observation and personal preference is the dislike of the tall digital format; like there seems to always include too much. However, I tried the crop and agree the scene loses some impact with a crop. So, rather than crop I thought I would drop the luminosity of the rocks up top just so the main rock near the bottom was sure to garner all the attention. I also cloned out the dark ULC using content-aware fill.
An ever-so slight boost in saturation and you have my “back seat driver” rendition.
@Kris_Smith and @Dick_Knudson : I did consider cropping the two upper rocks, but decided to leave them in.
@Lon_Overacker . I like your idea to reduce the luminosity of the two upper rocks. This was taken downstream from Eva’s falls on Deadman’s Creek. As I recall, you were working on something nearby.
-P
I am fully on board here with @Dick_Knudson and @Kris_Smith about what draws me into this scene and it’s that foreground rock with that dramatic rock slash in the water just above the main rock as well as the abstract nature of the water swirling below the rock and of course the color of the water. By the way, I don’t find the water too saturated, in fact I find you could probably add a little bit of saturation to this image. I have images from Zion where the water is almost pure gold from the reflecting walls of the canyons there so this has room for more color IMO.
The rocks at the top of the image don’t add much to the scene for me but YMMV!
Looks like a beautiful area to photograph.
Thanks for your comment, David. I guess we’ll just have to call the crop decision a draw.
There is a great deal of wonderful country along CA 108, the best parts being from the Clark Fork (of the Stanislaus River) up and over Sonora Pass to it end at US 395. The area where Lon and I have done a great deal of photography is along Deadman’s Creek from about the 8,000’ level up to Sonora Pass at 9,600’. I’ve been going there for over 50 years, and it never fails to impress.
-P
Thanks for the great information on the Sonora Pass. Sounds amazing. Been through a couple times on the way back from Lake Tahoe but never to stop for pics along the way. I remember it being a very steep and windy road.
No worries about the crop. Amazing image that makes me want to explore the area.
I always say walk your own walk when it comes to the art of photography, so if you prefer the top rocks I would keep them. With that said though, if this was mine I too would go with the cropped version.
I don’t think you need more shadow detail in the upper rocks. I think if they are darker it makes a nice contrast to that lower rock. (@Lon_Overacker did a nice job with this.)
The color looks great, and I agree with the others who suggested you could even push it more. The gold is a big part of what makes this attractive to my eye.
I still “see” in 4x5 and I find the rocks at the top take the all the attention while the real star of the photo is foreground rock and the colorful water between it and the middle rock. I would employ a 4x5 vertical crop and clone out the darker shadow cast by the upper rocks and the small rock creeping in on the right side. I think the saturation is fine, but giving the overall scene a bit more contrast and slightly darkening it as well brings out the texture in the water. The other things that seems to steal attention is the subtle but light green color above the middle rock. I used a selective color layer and sifted its color though a simple mask to bring it more in line with the rest of the tones. The attached photo is what I did. I hope you don’t mind.
Hi Preston,
You have gotten some varied suggestions on this image, so I hope you do not mind one more. I like the understated processing as I think it compliments the peaceful vibe of this scene. I could go either way on the rocks up top, but for my tastes I would remove those two along the right edge as they catch my eye a little. That being said ; in the end you do what your vision is telling you. Very nicely done.
