Fragile Falls RP

Hi All,

With the suggestion of Sandy, I'm posting this image in the Environmental PJ forum after posting it last week in the Landscape forum.

This is an image from Douglas Falls near Blackwater Falls State Park, in West WVA. Thanks for Alex for all the tips he gave me about the area... we met up briefly right after this shot, and he caught my equipment from falling off a large rock... seriously, many thanks...

I didn't know the back story about this section of the falls until after I shot it. Pollution from nearby coaling has nullified life in these waters and turned the rocks a stark orange. It seems to be quite a controversy to many who are familiar with the area: a local innkeeper said she doesn't send a soul in Douglas' direction.

It is very sobering to note that the beauty in color I found in this afternoon was actually killing the landscape. I'm not sure if this image ignores the negativity of this area, or tries to highlight prevailing natural beauty despite hardship. I think mostly, this image reminds me that sometimes, things are what they are.

Ok, so besides my ranting, here are some tech specs:

Canon 5dm2, EF 17-40mm/4L, two exposures at f/16 for motion (2.5 sec at ISO 100 for the smoothness in the green pool, and 1/5 sec at ISO 1250 for the violence at the base), 10 stop ND filter.

I actually should have taken another exposure to help balance the light. This shot was taken around 4pm during cloudy skies, but I had quite a hard time trying to limit the bright reflections around the scene.

As far as the comp, I'm mildly satisfied. I would wish for some more contrast in colors in the shrubbery between the falls and the tree. There are scant branches, but I'm not convinced they are interesting enough.

Well, that said, please leave your C&C... thanks...