Memorial Falls

[ksbryan0]

I am going to try to shoot this again this spring when the snow melts enough to get there again. Would like to try an HDR with it to better balance some of the elements. I didn't want to capture anything below the frame because there was a bunch of unattractive downed timber (although I am considering bringing some hip boots and moving some of the trash out of the way). I'd like suggestions on what I can do to make a better image next time around. Thanks.

[llewpics]

Nice exposure - the water does not appear "blown" which is good - and should continue in the next shot as well. I am not sure if you used a ND filter, but if not - you should next time, for higher flexibility in stronger light (obtaining longer exposures). Suggestions for next time:

1. Lighting - is it possible to get there when there is some more light on the rocks (but not too much, of course).

2. Rocks at the bottom - a little bit more would be nice ...those small logs around there do not bother me that much

3. Portrait - you could try the falls as a portrait - maybe with a really wide angle, with rocks, waterfall and some of the trees above - maybe do a pano and stitch later.

Just some random thoughts.

Thanks for posting.

[LeeIs]

good 'longish' exposure. very good that you didn't blow out the highlights in the mean time. I think the shot suffers from a white balance issue and maybe a contrast issue as well. it's a bit too yellow in the colour balance and too grey in the contrast. it needs to pop a little more.

[gahspidy]

Ken, I like the exposure and the slight silky effect on the water. I'm not feeling the horizontal crop in this though. Its too small a waterfall with nothing all that interesting on the sides, and so i think a vertical crop will work best. Include the rocks at the bottom as you have them. There looks like lots of trees above. i'm thinking including them at top creating more verticals might be an interesting approach as well.

[ksbryan0]

Thanks guys, I really appreciate your comments and suggestions.

llewpic - No, I didn't use a ND filter, but will use it for some shots next time around. With the way the waterfall is situated, I don't think it every gets direct sunlight, but I can give a mid-day shoot a go, as there will certainly be more light in the area. The couple small logs in the rocks aren't too bad, but just below the frame you would think a logging truck lost its entire load and they all fell in a random pile! It gets ugly in a hurry down there. Will give the portrait orientation a go as well.

Liban - I agree on the white balance and color issues. Its been awhile since I did the PP on this, but do remember fighting a tonal problem from the beginning and likely quit at this point and called it good enough!

Gary - Will take your suggestions into account when I get back there next month. There must have been a reason I didn't take a few portrait oriented shots before, perhaps I was being lazy or maybe there was some other reason that I will remember when I see it again.

[GB1]

Ken - I see your dilemma with the downed timber.. it sort of degrades the shot, but I think you could convincingly PP it out in about 10 minutes.

Assuming the timber wasn't there, I think you need to isolate the falls here by moving in a tad bit closer and eliminating that little bit of foreground on the left. Shooting at a different time of the day, when that bright area wasn't up at the top in the woods, might also be good. Note that I DO like a bright spot, but it being where it is just seems off... Does the light come in and illuminate the falls at any point of the day? You mention above that you don't think so, but if it does that would be sort of 'dreamy'. This one's close and could be there, but needs some work to help it - both of the actual shot, and in PP.

It also looks a tad soft to me on the non-water areas, which isn't good. HDR may be a nice option, but make sure you stabilize your camera between shots.

G

[Loupey]

Without reading the other comments, I would say that I feel disconnected with your subject (falls). The image seems too tight and from too far away that I don't feel connected to it.

Something more personal and different would be helpful. Perhaps a shot from up close with a wide angle. Perhaps pointed up towards the sun. Perhaps from the top looking down. Something that makes me feel that I am there.

[ksbryan0]

Thanks for the candid input and suggestions Loupey. The location has some physical constraints that somewhat limit shooting options, but I will see how creative I can get when I return.