The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

[Scott_Fricke]

Critique Style Requested: Standard

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

Description

This was taken from Artist’s Point, where Thomas Moran painted this scene as part of his contract with Congress to document the Yellowstone area as it was being chosen to be set aside as the world’s first National Park.

“There is a majestic harmony in the whole, which I have never seen before in nature’s grandest works. The fall itself takes its leaps between the jaws of rocks whose vertical heighte above it is more than six hundred feet, and more than nine hundred feet above the chasm into which it falls. . . .”
–Nathaniel P. Langford, 1870

This was one of few instances where I have shown patience as a photographer and stayed put as swiftly moving clouds overhead rapidly changed the shadows on the landscape. I chose this one as the light and shadow seemed to alternate both as you move into the scene and also across the canyon.

Specific Feedback

Any comments or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Technical Details

Canon 1DS Mark III, 70-200L @ 70mm, f7.1, 1/2000 sec., ISO 400

[John_Williams]

A very nice take of this icon Scott. and I think that the inclusion of so much of the slopes adds to the power and drama of the scene. The detail is definitely sharper when I click through to the full-size version, and that really makes the rocks sing. (I do that with all images now, because otherwise they all look too soft.)

I also like your choice to freeze the water, because I think that matches the jagged and sharp canyon well. Intersesting choice to combine ISO 400 with such a fast shutter speed. Was 1/2000 necessary to freeeze the water?

[Marylynne_Diggs]

Hi Scott,
Lovely image of this scene. Like John, I was amazed at the detail in the rocks when I opened up the full size image. the dappled light there is so beautiful. Initially I though the river downstream from the falls needed a slight brightening, but that too looks good in the full size jpeg.

I can see a tiny crop of a sliver off the bottom, maybe top too, but this is lovely as presented.

ML