Firework Falls

Cool clouds and lighting. I would prefer for it not to be a 50-50 split though. More sky or more water, but either way play up the 1/3's rule (even if it often times is a silly rule)

Luke, I appreciate your comment, but have to respectfully disagree. I was drawn to the shapes in the sky and the gorge that created a nice symmetry to the image which is why I choose a 50/50 comp. I have other comps from the evening that are based on the rule of thirds, but was not as happy with the result as I am with this one. Thanks man!

Even before reading Lukes comment, i felt slightly uneasy about the comp--i think it needs more falls, closer to the 2/3 suggested by Luke. I understand your point, im just letting you know my gut reaction--i think the sky, while spectacular, should play a secondary role here (ie, 1/3), since the falls are what really make this unique. Anyhow, its real pretty and that's just a super picky thought

yikes (that's a good yikes)! lots of color here! pretty cool amigo

I think I would have gone with a wider angle to include more of the falls and keep the sky as it is portrayed. The funky color in water also bothers me a bit.

The color in the water is due to it reflecting what was happening in the sky. This was shot at 16mm on a full frame. Can't go much wider ya know! You guys would need to have shot at this location before to relize the possibilities 9or lack there of) in respect to the composition.

Here is the un editied raw file for the water exposure. Shot at daylight white balance by the way!

This is some really pretty light, Joe. A beautiful sky. I like the glow the rocks and water have from the sky too. Very nice. This seems to have a feel that I'm really enjoying.

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, Wi

Big WOW, Joseph. This turned out great. Not nits from me.

I think it is a really cool shot and am digging it!

I too think it has a strong color cast and also might have benefited shot in 3rds (I think I am wanting to see more water since it looks so cool). I know pink/red/orange sunrise or sunset skies create a natural cast (I see it all the time) but I still think a little color balance fine tuning could improve the presentation.

Sick light. Feel like the bottom is a bit cut off. Might have done a 2 or 3 shot horizontal/vert stitch. yay storms :)

aF

very good! fabulous light. does it need a CW turn?

Hey Joseph,

Just to see how this file might react (and hopefully I am not way off base here - and forgive me if I am) I tried copying it into PS, then duplicated the layer (2 layers) masked the top layer with the gradient tool from top to bottom (so top was opaque and bottom transparent) then just to work quickly and see what might happen I tried 3 very quick things (one at a time using Edit/Fade afterward) on the BOTTOM layer: auto color, auto tone, and also "match color" (Image/Adjustments/Match color) with "neutralize" checked. I think all three did a pretty darn good job removing the cast yet keeping the pink colorful sky. They work bluntly of course, but that is what the Edit/Fade is for (around 75%).

I then also tried neutralizing just the water by splitting the "blend if" black sliders all the way over to the right (protecting the shadows to mid tones from the neutralization) before again trying the three "autos". This also worked well but much more subtle that the previous approach.

Of course I DELETED the file afterward!

Maybe it is not helpful but the photo is so cool I wanted to not just critique the image but also give some feedback that might be of help.

Beautiful Joe with lots of great color and water action.