This is a view from Pendleton Point looking toward Shays Run in Blackwater Falls SP, WV. I did not notice the figure in the landscape until I was back home doing some cropping and editing in PS.
All C&C welcome
All C&C welcome
Nikon D800, Nikon 80-200 @ 200 mm, f 14 @ 1/10 sec, ISO 200, MLU, cable release & tripod
Hi Ed,
Interesting shot you got here. I terms of the processing I think you have done that nicely. Colours look good and enough detail in the snow.
My main critique is artistic. For me the image comes across as quite busy, especially with all the different trees and snow. I feel that if the waterfall had been flowing into a river that led to the bottom of the screen it would have better at this zoom. I really like the waterfall in the middle but think it deserves a lot more attention. Maybe a little more zoomed in when shooting or even a tighter crop. This would distill the image a bit more in my opinion.
Thanks for your thoughts @Eugene_Theron; much appreciated. I agree whole heartily with your ideas. I was already zoomed out to 200 and probably would have needed a 400 for what I wanted so I shot it with the idea of cropping later. I just posted the wrong version. This is probably a little closer to what you were suggesting.
I think the cropped version is much better, the falls are immediately recognized as the subject. I would definitely remove the guy in the blue from the base of the falls and I think some detailed dodging and burning would go a long way in highlighting specific specific branches and shapes you want to stand out. I also like the monotone colours.
Yes!! that is pretty much exactly what I had in mind. Really draws focus to the falls. Those finer looking trees with the snow on the branches create a nice frame. I thought the guy at the bottom of the falls was a rock as I was viewing it on my phone 
Nicely reworked(cropped)
I like the cropped version better also. Another suggestion: try cropping so that the waterfall is not centered, but positioned a little to the left and top, so that the water, and lines of the composition, flow into the frame. This would also remove some of the brightest and distracting tree branches on the left edge.
Nice wintery mood, I definitely like the copped version better and I would personally crop it further to emphasize the beautiful cascades. I think I would also dodge the water on the waterfall a bit to make it stand out more.
Given the figures awkward pose I would clone him out. If he was standing there admiring the waterfall it might be a different story.
Ed, I really enjoyed the bit of mind twist here. It took me a little time to spot the person at the base of the falls. Almost looks like he is taking a cellphone selfie or somethingā¦
A fine scene as alwaysā¦
Thanks for your thoughts everyone @Michael_McGee, @Eugene_Theron, @GregVaughn, @Blake_Randall and @Paul_Breitkreuz; they are always appreciated. Here is a repost with your suggestions.
@Michael_McGee: a little dodging and burning.
@Eugene_Theron: I thought that might be closer to what you were suggesting.
@GregVaughn: Another crop to more the waterfall a bit more off center.
@Blake_Randall: A little dodging of the waterfall. I also have another version without the figure.
@Paul_Breitkreuz: Thanks for the kind words. I too think he is using his cell phone for a photo. Traveling light I guess.
Ed,
The more times Iāve viewed this, the more I appreciate it. And it seems that itās my day to go against the grain and say I prefer this as presented. While the opening with the cascades is relatively small in the frame, it still provides a solid anchor and place for the eye to rest onā¦ For me, this is also an example of order from chaos. The surrounding snow-covered landscape appears a bit busy on the surface. But to take in as a whole is quite enjoyable. I especially like the mix of snow covered conifers vs. the deciduous - each holding their own amount of snow to distinguish themselves.
A very small suggestion would be a slight crop off the right to remove the brighter snow areas, including the top of the rock on the right edge just above midline. Not a biggie, but would consider if you decide to print.
In the end, this one really grew on me. Love it.
Lon
Hi Ed,
I looked at this a bit as well and I agree with Lon in preferring the first comp. The falls are a strong enough focal point IMO. I do agree with Blakes comment to dodge the falls and raise the luminosity of the water. I would also experiment with adding some vignetting.
Ed, I like the crop in the re-post and the extra brightness in the waterfall. I think I would like the luminosity and contrast of the surrounding trees to be somewhere halfway between the original and the re-post.
Thanks for your thoughts guys @Lon_Overacker, @Dave_Dillemuth and @Ed_McGuirk; always appreciated.
@Lon_Overacker: I originally took the shot on a whim, but after getting home and processing in PS the scene grew on me also for the very same reasons.
@Dave_Dillemuth: I will give that a go as I do like the scene.
@Ed_McGuirk: I tend to find that whites give me the most trouble as it seems some areas are to bright and others needing a little more luminosity. Practice makes perfect.
Iām not sure what to say about this image. I problems is that the falls, for me, are the least interesting part of the image. The brightness surrounding it attract the eye and you just avoid the falls. The āframeā is more interesting than the subject. Making the frame smaller doesnāt eliminate the problem.
Iād leave the figure there at all costs. Itās terrific for sense of scale once you discover it, a very nice surprise and reward for viewers who take the time to study your image. It elevates this from ājust another snowy waterfall sceneā to something special.
Thanks @Igor_Doncov and @Hank_Pennington for taking the time to leave a comment or suggestion; always appreciated.
@Igor_Doncov: Thatās cool: If everyone liked the same thing it would be boring.
@Hank_Pennington: It was a pleasant surprise when I noticed the figure while processing at home. The first image I shot he was not in the frame so I have two different versions.
