Swish!

Image Critiques Landscape Critiques
1

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Critique Style Requested: Standard

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

Description

This was taken on Tenaya Creek below Mirror Lake in Yosemite. This cascade caught my eye as we walked up to Mirror Lake one morning.

Specific Feedback

I am pretty happy with the color and tonality, but I am torn between the cropped an uncropped version.

Technical Details

Nikon D 7100
Exposure data not available.

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2 Likes
2

The curve of the rushing water is beautiful. I prefer the uncropped version but both are fine.

3

Preston,

Wonderful! Ok, a “Swish” now and not a “swoosh”? We’ll have to chat so I can learn the difference? (Just razzin’ ya PB.) I was thinking maybe this one as a “swirl”. But then what do I know? ha ha.

Seriously though… this a beautiful. First, your processing is spot on - I might even say masterful. Compositionally I think you’ve captured and presented this just right. The swirl or swish is displayed and emphasized nicely.

As far as the crops, like Don, I think I prefer the broader uncropped version. The cropped version works too, but I think because there is texture and supporting detail both top and bottom, the extra room gives swish a bit more space and actually more presence. At least to me.

Great job with the SS and resulting water texture. Love this all around!

4

Hi Preston,
While both versions are nice the uncropped version is the winner for me. I am loving the turbulence in the water and I think that water along the top balances the rest of the dynamics showing it’s power. The SS is spot on for my tastes as it has created some wonderful details and textures as well. This is a wonderful intimate landscape.

5

Preston, both work fine for me. I do like the slightly more expansive feeling of the uncropped version, while the cropped version has me thinking of a B-grade horror movie monster with two eyes and a long curved beak… :zany_face: You’ve got great details (and contrast) in the water coming in and through the tongue, that’s set off well by the white water below.

6

Interesting choice. I thought the cropped provided a better aspect ratio to emphasize the swirl ( elongated vs boxy). However it feels crowded a bit and the rocks on the left feel too darkly imposing. The uncropped version seems superior but the darkness of the top left is a bit overwhelming. I would try a more modest crop that emphasizes the swirl and reduces some of the weight of the top left.

7

Hi Preston. I like the original crop the best. IMHO, the cropped version feels a little too tight and constricting. The OG feels more open and full of movement.