Subway Baptism (+repost)

The composition works very well for me. It is nicely balanced, there is some good flow from near towards the background and I like the light in the scene. I do not mind the reflection in the fg, but I have to admit that I don't find the muddy ground very appealing. I know, not much you could do about it.

Great glow light Jared! I think the foreground is a bit distracting, and a there's a bit too much room at the top. You definitely have some room to crop. Congrats on the trip!

Comp and light work very well. The green water and blue rocks seem to be missing from the usual presentation of this place . . . and it's OK. This looks fine. Sorry to hear about the camera. I've gone down in here too but kept the camera dry.

Nice work! Hope the camera dried out ok…

But… the FG isn't the greatest - even without the reflection - so a crop would definitely improve this, imo.

Jared, you've got really nice eye flow through this image and beautiful lighting. I'm not bothered by the reflection at the bottom or the mud, they're both very natural. If the reflection is bothering you, you can burn it in so it doesn't attract some much attention. I especially like the colored leaves in the foreground. In fact, if there was room, I'd have been tempted to lean to the right and move those more to the center. That said, this is a fine image as presented. Hope the rental camera wasn't too badly damaged.

Thanks for the helpful feedback. Here is a tighter crop with less of the foreground. The crop does take out some of the colorful leaves that I like, and places more emphasis on the less-interesting pool in front, but I think maybe the image overall is improved. Your thoughts?

I've never been to this place, but this image looks much more natural than what I'm use to seeing. Nicely done and I think the repost is an improvement.

I like the reposted version much better! The more tightly focused scene on the best parts easily trump the loss of a few leaves.

Wow! There seems to be a lot more sand and mud than the last time I was there two years ago. The pool looks like it contains much more sediment.

This is of course one of the traditional vantage points within the Subway. You've done well with this composition.

Two things ...

Yes, the reflection in the foreground in the initial version is a little distracting to me. The repost does crop out the reflection. But I'm wondering why you chose not to use a polarizer. That would have eliminated the reflection and brought out more detail and interest in the pool as well.

The right wall looks rather bright to me. In my mind's eye (and in my photographs), the right wall is darker than this.

Also, what is the object protruding into the frame in the initial version on the left near the bottom? Is that a piece of wood? It's been cropped out of the repost.

The subtle light in the 'subway' is really nice as are the shapes and forms of the foreground. Your cropped version works much better in my opinion.

Jim- Your comment about the mud and sediment is very interesting. I'm told there was a good sized storm the week before; I wonder if that had anything to do with it. When I was there I certainly didn't see the deep emerald color in the pools that I've seen in some others' images. I should have used a polarizer but was experimenting using the Nikon 14-24mm (with adapter for Canon) and don't have a filter system that would work with it. Not sure about the right wall seeming brighter than you remember - maybe differences in sun angle based on the season or time of day. The object on the left (cropped out of the repost) was the end of a log.

Jared,

I think your original is composed and balanced quite nicely actually. I would agree that the reflection at the bottom is a little problematic, but not overly so. In fact what is interesting is the reflection of the tree from atop the canyon wall. I think it's the only image I've every seen from here where we get a glimpse of the outside world.... and for that I think this is a least a keeper.

Having said that, the repost is an improvement and removes any issues or reasons to nitpick on the composition. Maybe it's me, but also did you boost the light and saturation a little bit in the tunnel? I think the repost even in that regard is improvement as well.

The biggest problem you face with this isn't your fault. Besides slot canyon images and perhaps Yosemite, we've seen countless images from the Narrows and of course The Subway, which means images where there is more water, more blues, etc. etc. Again, no fault of yours, but tough to come up with toppers. But that shouldn't diminish what so ever your experience and that you were able to come away with a fine image.

Lon

Thanks, Lon, those are very helpful comments. Yes, I believe I did some dodging and burning around the tunnel (mostly darkening the wall above a little) on the repost, along with output sharpening which I had neglected in the original. You're right though, in spite of all the other similar (and better) images out there, it will always make me happy thinking about my visit.

The focal point for me is the yellow-dark contrast in the textured wall. Wonderful. The plethora of shapes and colors in the foreground is very appealing.
I would like to see the reflection darkened. Good leading line created by the water.
Great photo.
the fisch

Nice shot. I've only been there once and had the opposite problem, too much water flowing. I agree with prior comments about cropping a bit from top and bottom. Slightly more from bottom. Oveall a nice shot with awesome light inside the subway.