The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
I was making photos of the Autumn Color along the Merced River in Yosemite Valley and then noticed this cascade over some rocks in the middle of the steam. I selected a SS of 1/3s to smooth the ‘swoosh’ but not completely smooth out the flow.
This image was taken just before I made the ‘River Comets’ posted earlier: Merced River Comets - #13.
In short, I was just having fun on a quiet Autumn afternoon.
Specific Feedback
I am pretty happy with this one, but I do wonder if the stones are sharp enough. I used TK’s Web Sharpen set at 85% opacity. I think it looks pretty good but would like your opinions.
Any other suggestions or comments are always appreciated.
-P
A wonderful framing of this unusual pattern! I love the flow around the large rock. It is a very pleasant surprise to see through the water below the flow lines. The rocks look just right to me.
One thought occurs to me – I wonder if the small details at the very top were cloned out (maybe not the tree reflections but the brighter water textures) there would be more of a sense of mystery…
The Sierras have some great water features. I spent some time going up highway 50 and into the Carson Pass area. Loved it. I like the golden look to the underwater sections with less turbulence. And the 1/3 shutter speed caught the lines and motion of the flow/turbulence quite well. The rock in the upper right looks to my eye slightly softer than the larger rock; but I do not think that matters visually. The only possible improvements I see are maybe a crop in slightly from the left (small section of rock) and bottom (white swossh on the left edge). Might make the image a little more focused on the swoosh in the center. Thanks for sharing this.
Preston, your ss choice looks perfect. There’s a fine swoosh in the water along with good detail in some of the splashes. The green in the middle of the eddy is a good addition. I do wonder about cropping to pano just below the nearly horizontal streak near the bottom. This is a fine, sit and contemplate view.
Hi Preston,
I do like your rework with that small rock on the left cropped off. and your SS choice works quite nicely as it has created some wonderful details in the water. I also think those FG rocks being visable under the flowing water make for another interesting element in this peaceful looking scene. Very nicely done.
A little late to the party, but had to chime in. What a beautiful intimate of the Merced river. You’ve nailed the SS and texture in the water; lovely, calming flow of the water, yet enough texture/detail in the “swoosh.” Processing/color, etc. all look spot on.
Interesting to me in that my impression of the original felt almost like it was cut off on the right - wishing room for more flow. Then you posted the rework and interesting to me that the 2nd version doesn’t give me that same feeling. Perhaps the slight crop left/bottom really place more emphasis on the “swoosh”, texture and details, rather than the “flow.” I dunno.
While I prefer the repost, your original is quite wonderful as posted
