Sunrise at Niagara Falls

Critique Style Requested: Standard

The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.

Description

My aim for getting this photo was to get there early enough not to have to fight for a place on the walkway, to find a place to park, set up the camera, and make a few exposures…very early, very, very cold was the ticket.

Specific Feedback

I wanted a long exposure but not so long as to turn the water into milk. There is a magnificence to the thundering water that begs to be captured in good detail but for me, not overly sharpened to capture every droplet.

Technical Details

Nikon z6ii, 24-200 @ 54mm, f/32, 1/2 sec, ISO 50
ACR for basic adjustments, PS for fine tuning color and contrast, TK for some dodging and burning in the foreground.


Critique Template

Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas.

  • Vision and Purpose:
  • Conceptual:
  • Emotional Impact and Mood:
  • Composition:
  • Balance and Visual Weight:
  • Depth and Dimension:
  • Color:
  • Lighting:
  • Processing:
  • Technical:

Pink clouds and silver river, beautiful colors.

Very nice shot of the falls, Chris. I like the Fall colors and the soft light on the buildings. Too bad your shooting spot had the tree as a distraction. It does take a way from the overall.

Thanks, Guiseppi!

I didn’t see the tree as a distraction but rather a focal point that helps draw the eye to the falls, and that breaks up just a shot of water cascading…which to me was just ho-hum.

Hi Chris,

Niagara Falls is such an iconic wonder - it’s good you got there early and captured nice morning light. I too think the tree is a distraction. I tinkered a bit with the image and am including my PS workflow that includes a small crop at top on right side. Of course, the image should reflect your vision, not mine or others. Should you eliminate the tower and the power plant building? To me, photos are not real except as they reveal the reality of how we see them. Nice image.
ed sunrise niagara falls copy.tif (26.4 MB)