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
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?
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.
I’m honestly perplexed by the technical details, I’m almost always on ISO100, sometimes 200 and at f16 for most of the things I shoot. Usually when I shoot waterfalls or moving water I take multiple shots at different exposures so I have a choice on the texture of the water. That would be my only reasonable guess as to the shot specifications. There’s a very real possibility I might not have been paying attention to the degree I should have been.
Hi Scott,
This is a classic viewpoint for sure of Yellowstone Falls and your B&W version has done it proud. I like the range of tones in the scene as well as all of those textures and details in the canyon walls. I also quite like that plume of water at the base of the falls as it shows the power being generated by the water flow. Beautifully done; no suggestions from me.
I too have never seen this in black and white and I think it works pretty well. The tonal range in the rock cliffs is exceptional and I can see why you stayed put and didn’t move, waiting for the changes that the cloud cover was providing you. Yep, the larger image shows detail not seen in the smaller file and it really pops when seen large. It’s nice to see a different take on this iconic location. Thanks for sharing this one.
