The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
When visiting the White Mountains in NH I always make it a point to spend some time in The Basin area in Franconia Notch SP. I never tire of viewing this little section of the Pemigewasset River and needless to say I have several variations of this scene with some more in mind the next time we go back. This was taken in June 2024 on a two day meetup that my brother and I had with Ed McGuirk and Karl Zuzarte. The forecast was for some rain; which I would have liked for the rocks; but it did not materialize.
Specific Feedback
Just wondering if I brought the shadows up to much and whether you prefer the horizontal or the landscape and why. Anything else you notice please feel free to mention it.
Technical Details
Image # 1 : Nikon Z 7, Nikon 24-200 @ 24 mm, f 13 @ 1/4 sec, ISO 100, Kase magnetic CPL, cable release & tripod
Image # 2 : Nikon Z 7, Nikon 24-200 @50 mm, f 13 @ 1/5 sec, ISO 100, Kase Magnetic CPL, cable release & tripod, two image stack for DOF
Critique Template
Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas.
Hey! I know that spot!
Two lovely takes on this Ed. Such a fabulous location. I like the landscape version, I think it gives a better sense of place, there is so much more detail to capture. The portrait just feels too tight. The details of the rocks are nicely handled but I agree the shadows might be a bit too open to balance them. Your choice of shutterspeed captures the flow of water with lots of lovely detail. Well seen and processed.
I always wonder what the basin was like before the park was established, but what has been preserved is a real treasure.
Ooooooh man, @Ed_Lowe, these are gorgeous! I’m partial to the horizontal as the creek has a little more breathing room on each side. Looks like an amazing place to chill out, eat a sandwich and just listen to the water rushing past. Your composition is perfect, as is the processing. Great job managing highlights in the water, too. In my experience it can be challenging to prevent them from blowing out. Excellent work!
Ed, yes indeed, there are strong, inviting views. I too prefer the horizontal view. I think having the water fill the frame at the bottom makes for very strong eye pull into the distance. The rocks on the left have lots of character as well as help pull my eyes to the back. There are still a few blacks in scattered throughout the shadows but not so many as to make the darkness a distraction.
What a gorgeous scene! Both images are beautiful. I might be with the others in prefering the horizontal version.
I like that one a bit better as it is so well balanced. A very pleasing composition with no one element distracting or dominating the scene. Of course the water feature is the main subject, but the rock, forest and trees (root and plants on the right), all contribute and support the wide view perfectly.
Processing is spot on, so no, the shadows weren’t raised too much. Just right.
I do like the dynamic composition of the vertical and the eye flows up and down and through the scene nicely. Relative to the horiztonal though, the water feels cut off a bit at the bottom and there’s just a tad extra of the forest up top to make this slightly less balanced than the horizontal.
No nits or suggestions. OH, I wanted to comment on the water and shutter speed - beautiful! Nice texture and flow. Well done!
Ahhh the Basin. Do people still waterslide down anymore? I did that (wearing jeans and sneakers) back in the late 80s. you have to climb way up, but it was crazy. Anyway…I like both orientations and find the through line very pleasing. The colors (especially in the water) look very natural.
Great work, Ed. Both are great but I much prefer the landscape orientation. It gives more of a sense of place with it’s expansive view. The verticals have always to me seemed a little constrictive. I love opening up the larger image and then clicking on it again to bring up an even larger view and exploring all fine details in the image. Great processing also.
Both of these perspectives are really nice. My initial thought was I liked the vertical because it accentuates the flow of the image which is dictated by the waterfall but it didn’t take long to change my mind. There’s just more to see in the wider version and the added greenery really takes it to the next level. A few of the shadows are fairly blocked but not enough to detract from the appeal. Also I love how clean the scene is. Here in the PNW we rarely get a waterfall scene that isn’t overly busy with twigs, fallen logs and such…I’m jealous. No criticisms from me. A softly lit, well executed photograph…thanks for sharing.
This is just a gorgeous image, Ed. I can see why you’d want to try it in portrait mode as it highlights the vertical flow of creek. But for me, the landscape version is far superior because, as others have shared, it gives a stronger sense of place. The colour palette, careful attention to tone and texture, and the wonderfully subtle lighting, all add up to a feast for the eyes. Your choice of shutter speed is fine especially since you were able to bring up the dark and light contrast in the foreground that enhance the sense of motion and turbulence. But all that aside, I find the image evocative, triggering
memories of my own backcountry travels.
Many thanks everyone @guy, @Bret_Edge, @Mark_Seaver, @Lon_Overacker, @Kris_Smith, @Michael_Lowe, @Bruce_King and @Kerry_Gordon for your kind words on this image; always appreciated. While I like both versions I too prefer the landscape one. @guy : I thought you might recognize this spot. The Basin is a real treasure and I for one am glad it is now a state parkas it needs to be preserved. @Lon_Overacker : I have some other verticals with more water at the bottom and less forest at the top. I will post one of them this week. @Kris_Smith : I have never seen anyone waterslide during my visits. That had to have been one bumpy ride. even with jeans and sneakers. @Bruce_King : I hear you on the fallen logs as we have our share here in the mid atlantic area. @Kerry_Gordon : Glad this brought back some pleasant memories for you.
Horizontal for me too Ed, and it’s really nice. No nits from me; I think this works very well just as you’ve posted. I definitely don’t think you brought up the shadows too much.
The Basin is a real treasure and I for one am glad it is now a state parkas it needs to be preserved.