Split Falls Design

Gallery: LandscapePosted August 31, 2011513 views33 comments

I'm a creature of habit and find myself visiting and photographing the same things over and over. Most of the time it doesn't work, but I'm there to enjoy the process and once in a while it's always fun to come up with something different from previous attempts.

This is what we call Split Falls, up on the Sonora Pass of the central Sierra Nevada Range. Even in early August there was still a considerable amount of winter run off and these little cascades were running good. This was the last image I exposed on this quick 4-day outing in the mountains. to be perfectly honest, it's mostly cropped from the right because I was frantically trying to get the exposure before the sun hit the falls.

For me, I like the design and criss-crossing effect of the various channels of water flowing over the worn granite slabs and the central veil makes for a nice anchor to the cascades. I would love to hear your thoughts and critiques. I have a b&w version if anyone is interested.

4x5, Nikkor 450mm, V50, f/11.5 @ 1/2 s
Tony Kuyper's masks and actions

Thanks!

Lon

Comments

33 comments

Comment posted by Abdullaziz Bin Ali on August 31, 2011 at 4:27 AM

No worries to recapture the same subject once you come up with new art

Lon, how you find these lovely angles

Registered on May 31, 2009, 112 Posts, 1590 Comments

Comment posted by Hamed Musharbak on August 31, 2011 at 5:02 AM

very smooth

i like the composition & the details are amazing

Hamed

Registered on June 1, 2009, 372 Posts, 2282 Comments

Comment posted by John Mumaw on August 31, 2011 at 7:31 AM

"I like the design and criss-crossing effect of the various channels of water flowing over the worn granite slabs and the central veil makes for a nice anchor to the cascades."

My thoughts exactly before I read your words. Something about the lone rock up there adds so much to this image. I like the shape of it and where it sets. My eye immediately goes there, where it's then delighted by the convergenece of the waters nearby.
I truly enjoy this image very much and have no suggestions whatsoever. Nicely seen and captured!

Registered on September 9, 2005, 62 Posts, 2289 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Chambers on August 31, 2011 at 7:56 AM

I'm usually not a fan of vertical panos, or in this case, a vertical semi-pano, but this just seems to work, and work well. You chose the perfect shutter speed, and the exposure is dead on. I'm also glad you left this in color, as there's just enough to make it really interesting.

Registered on April 10, 2005, 753 Posts, 21216 Comments

Comment posted by Yiming Hu on August 31, 2011 at 8:29 AM

The crop works for me. As always, elegant composition, amazing details and perfect shutter speed. The tone is cool this time but it does not bother me. I am wondering if you can pull just a hint of more details from the dark shadow area.

Registered on April 28, 2011, 38 Posts, 733 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on August 31, 2011 at 9:05 AM

This works great, Lon. It has a wonderful feel and seems quite elegant to me. Very, very nice as is for me.

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

Registered on February 1, 2004, 752 Posts, 14140 Comments

Comment posted by Nancy Lea Sandy on August 31, 2011 at 9:40 AM

Beautiful contrast between the texture in the rocks and the water. This is wonderful

Registered on January 24, 2011, 576 Posts, 6942 Comments

Comment posted by Morris McClung on August 31, 2011 at 10:10 AM

The veil makes for a great anchor as you said. And then the eye slowly explores the rest of the space. The detail in the flowing water is the clincher in this for me. And the contrast in textures makes for great interplay. Just an excellent intimate study, Lon.

Registered on May 7, 2007, 670 Posts, 19650 Comments

Comment posted by Alister Benn on August 31, 2011 at 10:31 AM

Another gorgeous waterfall image... no nits from me...

Registered on June 9, 2011, 23 Posts, 258 Comments

Comment posted by Andreas Resch on August 31, 2011 at 10:34 AM

Have you been digging in MY archive, Lon - this could be one of my shots? It's absolutely wonderful and I'm really surprised to see that you shot this one at f/11.5 I never thought I would open up that much in a shot like that. Still a lot to learn for me.

Registered on November 14, 2007, 322 Posts, 6101 Comments

Comment posted by Harley Goldman on August 31, 2011 at 11:42 AM

Real nice perspective and scene. Having seen the B&W, I have to express a slight preference for it, but it works quite nicely in color. You did set up and shoot this fast and it turned out well.

Registered on November 19, 2003, 586 Posts, 11271 Comments

Comment posted by Julian Barkway on August 31, 2011 at 1:13 PM

Well, you know I can't resist rock'n'water shots.

This is very elegant and satisfyingly textural.

Registered on January 18, 2007, 344 Posts, 1961 Comments

Comment posted by Allen Brooks on August 31, 2011 at 1:23 PM

Absolutely elegant shot. A work of art.

Registered on July 27, 2011, 262 Posts, 2597 Comments

Comment posted by Scott Smorra on August 31, 2011 at 2:25 PM

This is beautiful Lon. The composition and shutter speed are perfect. I'd like to see the b/w as well.

Registered on November 2, 2009, 161 Posts, 2143 Comments

Comment posted by Preston Birdwell on August 31, 2011 at 2:58 PM

Lon,

This works nicely for me. The processing is spot-on, and I know how difficult it is to get the right color balance for the water and rock, here. I really like the curtain falling from the 'bear's' head. The light is perfect, and I love the dynamics of the flow.

Having seen the B&W, as well, I think I prefer the color version.

Great wrok, as usual!

--P

Registered on November 1, 2003, 471 Posts, 5188 Comments

Comment posted by Russell Colletta on August 31, 2011 at 3:18 PM

The micro landscapes, if you will, that I have often noticed in travels through the Sierra facinate me but never turn out like this when I attempt to capture it. This is nicely done, seen and executed very well. A great representation of this little treasure.

Registered on October 31, 2009, 114 Posts, 1008 Comments

Comment posted by Peter Richter on August 31, 2011 at 3:40 PM

Lon, your composition stressing the interplay of water and rocks really keeps my attention. The restriction to mainly grey shades helps me to concentrate on the shapes and textures. Shutter speed works perfectly for me and I also enjoy the tangible surface of the rocks.

Peter

Registered on November 10, 2010, 218 Posts, 2723 Comments

Comment posted by Gary McGhee on August 31, 2011 at 3:56 PM

I too have a habit of visiting the same locations Lon, hopefully to improve on my previous attempts. I like the silky mooth texture of the water here, it contrasts nicely with the almost metalic look to the rock.

Gary.

Registered on April 15, 2010, 142 Posts, 2416 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Overacker on August 31, 2011 at 5:04 PM

Thanks for the comments everyone.

Yiming - "I am wondering if you can pull just a hint of more details from the dark shadow area. " Nope. I did what I could do with Tony Kuyper's darks Triple play and other methods, but there simply isn't the detail available - considering 1. Fuji Velvia slide film and 2. the scanning process. There's just not enough range in the film. Fortunately, at least for me, the amount of space occupied by the dark areas isn't enough to take away from the falls and the main elements - at least in my view.

Andreas - f/11.5. With the long lens (for 4x5) and the distance to the subject, probably at least 50ft and the depth at the falls itself probably less than 10ft, dof field really wasn't an issue. It's essentially a flat plane of focus. My main thought was getting the shutter speed I wanted which forced the aperture setting. And YES, this is one of your shots, motivated by so many of your great water and gorge images!

Thanks folks!
Lon

Registered on November 24, 2006, 521 Posts, 19147 Comments

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on August 31, 2011 at 10:53 PM

I think it's a lovely image, Lon. I like the contrast between the soft water and the hard rocks. Light looks perfect. The semi vertical pano will make a strong image to hang in a tight spot.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 364 Posts, 22328 Comments

Comment posted by Ben Horne on August 31, 2011 at 10:53 PM

I think you made some very smart decisions by not showing the top and the bottom of the falls. Combined with the vertical panoramic format, this gives the feeling that water is actively flowing into, and out of this photo. It also helps obscure the scale of this fall, and allows it to continue into the imagination of the viewer. On another note, I now need to go to the kitchen and get a cold glass of water because now I'm quite thirsty.

Registered on August 27, 2009, 51 Posts, 959 Comments

Comment posted by Ed Lowe on August 31, 2011 at 10:58 PM

A truly captivating image, Lon. I love your SS choice, but what I really find fascinating in this scene is the lack of a sense of scale.

Registered on February 7, 2004, 414 Posts, 7115 Comments

Comment posted by Chris Chamberlain on August 31, 2011 at 11:07 PM

SImple and familiar, but the comp and quality are just too good!!!! Probably my favorite of your suite of images of the cascades in Sonora Pass!

Chris

Registered on March 13, 2007, 500 Posts, 8365 Comments

Comment posted by John Mumaw on August 31, 2011 at 11:16 PM

I happen to like where that small bit of negative space lies very much, and I'm usually in the 'pull more details from the shadows' crowd.

Registered on September 9, 2005, 62 Posts, 2289 Comments

Comment posted by Michael R Reynolds on August 31, 2011 at 11:27 PM

Lon,
Beautiful composition. I really like the simplicity of this strong image. Best Regards.

Registered on February 26, 2008, 54 Posts, 812 Comments

Comment posted by Danny Laureys on August 31, 2011 at 11:29 PM

Excellent, perfect shutter speed

Registered on January 5, 2008, 590 Posts, 1261 Comments

Comment posted by David Edwards on September 1, 2011 at 12:01 AM

Wonderful stuff, Lon. I really have been enjoying your intimate cascade images and this one is no exception. Excellent composition and framing.

Registered on December 6, 2008, 142 Posts, 2623 Comments

Comment posted by Eva McDermott on September 1, 2011 at 12:06 AM

Love the almost monochrome look Lon. Your shutter speed produces a very graceful, and elegant flow through the image.

Registered on January 4, 2009, 1015 Posts, 13229 Comments

Comment posted by Barry Ashenhurst on September 1, 2011 at 12:09 AM

This is lovely. And a big print would be sensational.

Registered on August 4, 2009, 253 Posts, 455 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Maile on September 1, 2011 at 10:42 AM

I saw this in the previews and had no idea who did it, but thought, wow, that has some beautiful, graceful lines... like a fine automobile, or a curvaceous... uh, never mind. Simple and beautiful, it always works and you do it so often.

Registered on March 2, 2009, 984 Posts, 2518 Comments

Comment posted by Robert Dayton on September 1, 2011 at 6:35 PM

Splendid, Lon. I echo the compliments made by all other critics.

Registered on November 11, 2008, 281 Posts, 3958 Comments

Comment posted by Jimmy Gekas on September 3, 2011 at 10:21 AM

I love the crop. Simple and it works well. This will definitely be a good one to hang in an odd spot.

Registered on July 26, 2007, 244 Posts, 2807 Comments

Comment posted by Jose Viegas on September 4, 2011 at 5:28 AM

Great composition and movement of the water!
Jose

Registered on August 26, 2011, 3 Posts, 66 Comments