The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
This is a view of the third and tallest waterfall on Shays Run in Blackwater Falls SP in WV. I thought the autumn foliage framed the falls quite nicely as the light rain really saturated the fall colors. This waterfall is nearly impossible to get to and is quite the bushwhack so I decided to photograph it from the other side of Blackwater Canyon.
I wound up cropping about 1/3 of the image to arrive at this point as the longest lens I have is the Nikon 24-200. I keep telling myself that I need to purchase the Nikon 100-400 just for these type of scenes.
Specific Feedback
Does the framing and crop work for everyone?
Technical Details
Nikon Z 7, Nikon 24-200 @ 200 mm, f 11 @ 1/5 sec, ISO 100, Kase magnetic CPL, cable release & tripod.
Critique Template
Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas.
The composition works for me. I like how my eye just wanders around the frame seeing all the detail. The waterfall is nicely framed and serves as a nice anchor. My one question is just to the right of the top of the water fall there seems to be an area of reduced contrast. Is that some fog, or just a bare area with not color? It keeps grabbing my eye.
Wow - what a scene! I imagine that there aren’t many other ways to shoot this given all the trees and the steepness of the terrain. All those trees in their autumn finery frame the falls very well. Good contrast there with the water and the relative softness or hardness of the elements. A tiny bit off the top might work to keep things a bit off center, but that’s totally subjective. These kinds of slices can be tough to work with, but I love trying. A very long tele makes for a great landscape lens under these circumstances. With all the holiday sales, maybe you can find a good deal!
Another gorgeous scene! (Color me green!) I love the falls, of course, and the trees all stand out as individuals, with the variation in the foliage.
The area of apparent lower contrast in the UR may just be a visual trick from the small bare trunks there, but I would touch it up with a small quick mask painted over the area and then use the selection to make a curves layer and just add a touch of contrast. Then touch up the edges of the mask as needed.
You definitely deserve that longer lens – there is so much cool stuff that can be isolated in landscape scenes.
Just for fun I had to play with a B/W on this. Juggling the red and yellow sliders turned it into an almost-winter scene. It could be pushed even more than this.
Oh wow, this is super nice! I love how you framed the waterfall with all of those trees – something you probably could not have done had you bushwhacked right up to it. And I also really love how the image is full of subtle vertical lines – from the fine lines of the tree trunks to the lines of the falling water made by the slow shutter speed. Really fine work, Ed!
@Youssef_Ismail: I am not sure what is causing that, but I am thinking it may be a little patch of mist as it was a drizzly day with areas of fog and mist floating around the canyon walls. I may try to clone in a little autumn color to mitigate that. @Kris_Smith: I am going to keep my eyes out for the sales. @Diane_Miller: I am loving your B&W conversion!Thanks for taking the time. I will give the mask a try before I make a print of this. I keep telling myself that I do deserve the longer lens. @Tom_Nevesely: Being able to see the tree trunks was one of the things that caught my eye in this scene. The colors still looked pretty good even though there was a fair amount of leaf drop.
Ed, this is a great look at this falls with its colorful frame. The slow shutter works very well at letting the falls show through the foliage. You can probably “fix” the low contrast area with some darks burning, should you wish. You’re knowledge of the area let you find a fine view at this falls.
Love this Ed. The beautiful muted yellow leaves make a great frame around the falls. If you can afford it, the longer lens would make a nice addition to your 'arsenal." I didn’t even bother taking a shot cause I knew my 80-200 on a 10 mp crop sensor would turn out disappointing. My only problem with the image is that it’s too small.
Like we discussed, I think something as close to 2MB as you can get without going over and at least 2000 pixels on the long side would probably work.
And the light area is definitely rising fog/mist. Surprised there’s not more in the shot.
Lovely image, Ed. I saw the thumbnail and thought WV immediately. I grew up in Maryland spent summers about an hour from here.
I live the water surrounded by curtains of foliage, the sedimentary layers that create the falls.
FWIW, I’m less distracted by low contrast upper right than the uniformly green upper left. I think there are crops to play with. One might look something like this quick screen shot.
And yeah, you deserve a longer lens. Perhaps Santa….
Since you’ve already cropped the image quite a bit, that may not be practical. You have a fine image either way. But a 100-400 might come in handy in the future. I have one that I got for landscapes, not for birds. It’s expensive and it’s a pain to haul around but it enables me to get some shots that I otherwise couldn’t get.
I have the exact same situation. I don’t need it often, but do find there are times I could really use a little longer reach. It’s too bad the teleconverters don’t work with the 24-200
I know it’s painful to throw away even more real estate, but I like what @Marylynne_Diggs did with the crop.
Many thanks for your thoughtful C&C everyone @Mark_Seaver, @Michael_Lowe, @Marylynne_Diggs, @Don_Peters, @John_Williams and @SandyR-B; always appreciated. @Mark_Seaver: Over the years Mike and I have a few favorite locations if the conditions are right. @Michael_Lowe: I have to remember that. @Marylynne_Diggs: Thanks for making the crop suggestion; looks great. I will have to incorporate that for when I make my print. Where abouts in MD did you live? Fingers crossed for Santa. @Don_Peters: That crop works too. How do you like your 100-400? @John_Williams: I hear you on the teleconverters; makes no sense to me. @SandyR-B:Thanks so much Sandy.
Ed, the framing and crop couldn’t be better. Your title is most apt. To me the entire image is the subject, not just the falls. The trees provide a nice sense of depth that leads me to the falls. The trunks of the trees add to this depth. Color management and exposure are spot on with varied shades of green and yellow. I like how the trees define the environment for the falls. Wonderful image.
Thanks so much for the kind words @steven8 and @Larry_Greenbaum ; glad you both enjoyed the image. @Marylynne_Diggs : Deep Creek Lake is a wonderful area to have a cabin. I am fond of Swallow Falls SP nearby. One of my best friends growing up moved to Silver Spring when he got married before eventually moving to Arizona; where he now lives.
Ed, I missed this one entirely until just now as an EP. Congratulations on the selection for this wonderful scene. Like I said, the dramatic perspective from coast to coast scenery is well worth the price of admission. A tip of the hat and off I go.
Thanks for the kind words @Paul_Breitkreuz; it is always appreciated! The scenery we have across the country is nothing short of amazing; all we need to do is slow down and enjoy and take care of it.
and off I go.