Ocean Waterfall+alt comp

Not on a calibrated monitor, but the processing looks fine. Maybe a touch of fringing on the left of the main stack, possibly on the web version only? I'm wondering if a little added contrast especially on the right side water falls might help it stound out better. Very cool shot.

The process looks spot-on on my monitor (a calibrated NEC 2960). If I have to be nit-picking, I will say it seems to me that there are some halo around/above the trees on the top of haystack on the left.

Crazy shot, Chip! Neat mix of elements. I like the falls on the left, the stuff on the right gets in the way a bit (where it crosses the sunstar) but overall pretty cool. Processing looks good to me--hard to see the edges at this size so i cant comment on that. I might bring out the shadows just a tiny bit, especially the one prominent stack which is nearly black, in comparison with the other rocks that are a bit brighter;some of that is just the lighting, but probably not all of it.

Chip, looks like you did a great job on the blending. An extremely busy image! It does take putting a ton of cool elements in one image to another level! This has it all and great light! Works very well. That has sort of been a thing on this forum for some years. Having said that, as a seller of photography, I know simplifying sells better but gets less accolades on forums. So it depends on which way you want to go... I like both.

Here's a slightly different comp for comparison: Simpler perhaps...

I actually like the 2nd better - the sun is off center a little more and the stack poking throught the water is more unique from the usual. Nicely done. You must have had to react quickly to get both of these comps. I do like the wave action catching the sun better in the 1st.

Stunning shot, Chip. There is indeed a lot for the eye to explore, but it's balanced very well. The second version is indeed simpler and it works a bit better, although it seems you lost some of the glow on the rocks and in the spray.

For me the first post is the clear winner compositionally. I like every bit of it and the processing appears flawless to me.

First post is awesome. Symmetry is great!

Beautiful shot.

i would have to go with comp 1. i personally like hitting a comp with some obvious and simple subjects, and scattering interesting detail around it. almost like the saying "hurry up and wait" (if that makes any sense). i think in the case of comp 1, your most obvious subjects are the stack, sun, and backlit falls. everything else folds into place and balances out (e.g., sheen on rocks, white rush of water, URC stack). if i were to nit just a little, i might take this same comp without a crashing wave, and it seems to be the only "chaotic" element to this photograph. also, i would also make one last small comment that the sunstar looks a bit more clean in comp 2; i'd pull that one fwd if possible.

just my humble thoughts.

A+ for creative aspect Chip. Good to see some work from you here.
There are a lot of great elements at play and I think the first version is more impressionable.
Great job on the blend.

Wild group of elements that all come together well. I am preferring the first comp. The tunnel-like perspective works for me.

Processing looks excellent Chip. I like the second version better. The first one I find has a little too much going on.

I much prefer the composition in the first with the scene framed by the sprays of water. Fabulous work.

Quite an array of elements.. well done..

Incredible array of visual elements that are arrranged beautifully, Chip. Both are fine, but I would have to pick the first as my favorite, becouse of the tunnel view and the wave breaking out in ocean.

Wow, this is a sweet comp, Chip! Very original, creative and cohesive. Love the sunstar, too. The ULC does seem a bit darker than it should be, though.

EDIT: Now that I see there are two versions, just wanted to say that I prefer the first one.

Chip,
Outstanding image.
I would be proud to have either in my home,
but - since I saw #1 first... that is my preference.
Comp and subject are outstanding, processing seems first rate.
Either is excellent, I love #1.

Chip, A very beautiful shot. I like the first post better myself. Love that highlighted wave splash in the bg in that version. Awesome light on a fantastic scene. Really enjoy the feel of this too. I think you did an excellent job capturing this, which I'm sure wasn't easy!

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

Amazing image, simply an amazing image. Enveloped in light. Incredible.

This is great. I love how the water seems like it's rushing over you. In the second version, it's just not there. The light is great in both, but like some of the others, the first image is the one I'd keep.

Because of the care in composing and the wonderful light, this is beautiful, Chip.
You've spaced the rock formations from front to back in a way that really gives
this a 3D effect. I like the spray falls to the left and the sunburst effect to the right.
There's also a wave splash in the back that you caught at an opportune time.
That along with the FG water and spray falls to the left really gives a feeling
of movement. I can almost hear the sound of the ocean in this image.

This is awesome! # 1 for me, no question.

Chris

Man, what an amazing scene, with so much to look at from front to back

The warmth and colour are so inviting. as for processing it looks natural to me. Tough stuff to achieve, well done!

You've captured some beautiful light here Chip. The comp seems rather busy with the water coming in over the top. I can see it must have been a challenge to stay dry and get this one in the bag considering the dynamic range, but the blend looks very nice and the sunstar is fabulous. I prefer the original to the alt.

Its the first for me. I like the separation of the f/g land and the first island, and all the nice water. The upper left water fall seems a little dark compared to the rest. Beautiful. :)

Epic

Well done, #1 for me.

Good light for sure. You're blending is at the expert level. Both scenes seem busy to me, and it's the sun the gives it the "too much" feel. Cropping it makes a more "implicit" image where the light is implied by the glow on the water. The "explicitness" of the sun takes away some of the mystery.

A very busy but also fabulous capture Chip. The first one is a clear winner for me. The blue in the water and the wave puts it in front and also the processing looks great on my monitor.

Thanks guys. I appreciate the feedback on this. I know what you mean Tony. Problem was, without the sun in the comp, there was really no glow on the water and I thought that part of the image was pretty cool (the glow on the water). The images I shot after this when the sun had gone down more just don't do it because there is little or no light on the falls, and the whole bottom portion and rhs of the image is in shadow.

Hi Chip,
I like both versions. If I were to pick, I would go with the first, because shows the falls on both sides of the composition. The second one has a cleaner look to it, but the first one seems to be a little more exotic and strikes my imagination more. I like the processing better in the first image, but you might try a touch more contrast in the first image. The starburst in the second image seems much more saturated. In my opinion, I would back off the color in that area of the image. Despite those minor nitpicks, I am truly impressed with these images. They are outstanding!

What an amazing sight this must have been. You have truly captured it in great style. Stunning!

I prefer the original post over the cropped version.

Damn!!! So much going on, so much to look at. And so masterfully done! Just incredible, Chip!

Stunning, Chip! Personally I prefer the first version, mainly for the light and the wave action in the mid-ground. Blend also looks very good.

Thanks guys. Comments very much appreciated. Chip

Exceptional light and mix of interesting elements - congrats on the WP!
Sandy

Cool, thanks everyone. I'm happy to have a WP!

Wow, Chip. Tough to choose between the two comps...
I think overall I like the 1st one because of the way all the elements of the comp lure the viewer through the scene. Waterfall on the left and a hint of same in the fg shadows to the lower right; the sea spray catching the sunlight; and on out to the sea stacks and the sun with the dazzle of the starburst/rays. And blue and gold just can't be beat.
Congrats on the Pick for this! Well deserved.