Forget about the aurora!

Gallery: LandscapePosted March 13, 20161,534 views12 comments

Earlier this day the skies were clear, which was quite the unique event during my seven weeks in Iceland, so I wanted to try to take some night shots, and I remembered this small and primitive campground next to this waterfall, which I thought might make a nice foreground. So I made my way to the campground and prepared everything for some night photography. But then again, this was Iceland, and as you can see from the photo, the skies were clear not for very long....
I made this pic the day after before hitting the road again in misty, drizzling, wet conditions. But I really like the two greens in this photo, and I have a weak spot for waterfalls (who doesn't?), so I am pretty happy with this "next best thing" shot.

19 mm, f/16, 2.5 sec, iso 100, polarizer

C&C welcome, large version is included!

Roel

Comments

12 comments

Comment posted by Basil Greber on March 13, 2016 at 1:30 PM

It's a really nice waterfall (and also featured in Icelandair's security video ;) ). I agree with this being a good choice for night photography - too bad it didn't work out. I like your choice of shutter speed and the pleasant rendering of the fall. I might consider cropping this a bit from the top (towards a panoramic format) to reduce the amount of negative space a bit. What time of the year were you traveling in Iceland? Very recently?

Registered on November 8, 2005, 219 Posts, 1340 Comments

Comment posted by Roel Wijtmans on March 13, 2016 at 2:18 PM

Yeah, I played with cropping, but I liked the towering walls, and in the end, mist is very Icelandic, so I thought it was kind of fitting to have it this prominent in the photo. I haven't seen the security video, but I'll go and check it out then!

I was in Iceland in Sep and Aug last year. Beautiful country, relentless weather! My trusty tent even got some damage because of the storms. But it's all worth it!

Registered on September 30, 2012, 116 Posts, 2257 Comments

Comment posted by Dave Dillemuth on March 13, 2016 at 3:29 PM

Roel,
What a gorgeous waterfall. Color palette is beautiful under these soft lighting conditions - the blues and greens work wonderfully together. I had a similar reaction as Basil and if it were mine would probably play with some crops to reduce the gray sky and make it less dominant in the image.

Registered on December 10, 2015, 104 Posts, 1112 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on March 13, 2016 at 7:13 PM

Roel, Pretty darn nice for the "next best thing shot".. cool

I love the way the water looks and that turquoise color in the foreground is really nice. It also works great with all the greens in the rock walls. I can see your point about leaving all the gray sky in but I also like it by cropping some of it out. Either way a great looking image for me.

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

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

Comment posted by Vance Gese on March 13, 2016 at 11:30 PM

Really like your composition with the falls centered and the moss covered rock forms to either side. The pronounced V of the canyon accentuates the geologic story of how this river has slowly carved its way through the rock. Beautiful falls.

Registered on November 13, 2008, 298 Posts, 6629 Comments

Comment posted by David Schoen on March 14, 2016 at 1:51 PM

The turquoise and the mossy green are very nice compliments to the waterfall. A little foggier would be more interesting however this is still a very well done shot of this waterfall.

Registered on November 6, 2006, 1213 Posts, 4587 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Zelinka on March 14, 2016 at 2:37 PM

The waterfall is nicely complemented by the strangely shaped ravine walls.

Registered on August 20, 2007, 206 Posts, 998 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Overacker on March 14, 2016 at 8:32 PM

Roel,

Beautiful waterfall and I too like the two greens - especially in the water. The drizzly wet conditions make for a moody atmosphere.

This is one of those images where it means more to have been there to experience all those things you describe. For me, the gray open space doesn't do much for me, although it clearly does contribute to telling the story of this image and place. I agree with you though that I don't think it can be solved with a crop.

Lon

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

Comment posted by Marylynne Diggs on March 14, 2016 at 8:44 PM

Spectacular water color amd rocks, and you nailed the falls themselves. I agree with others (and especially Lon) that the misty gray sky is more meaningful to you than to the average viewer. For me, it detracts greatly from the detail in the lower rocks and that beautifully aquamarine color of the pool at the base of the falls.

Of course, it depends on your goal. Share a memory or stun the viewer ;-).
ML
ML

Registered on December 14, 2010, 122 Posts, 1034 Comments

Comment posted by Albert Darmo on March 15, 2016 at 10:11 PM

Hi Roel

You have to take what nature gives you, and make the most of it... As you have done here. you have captured the mood, colors, and the falls beautifully

Albert Darmo
Canada

Registered on November 25, 2008, 1386 Posts, 11978 Comments

Comment posted by Ed Lowe on March 16, 2016 at 12:35 PM

I think this would have made for an amazing night time shot, but when Plan A does not work you go to Plan B. I think you made the best of the circumstances you were presented to you, Roel. There is no way to crop this without losing that V notch which is an integral part of the scene for me. Love those greens BTW.

Ed

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

Comment posted by Bill Chambers on March 18, 2016 at 3:43 PM

You're really making me want to go to Iceland! Perfect shutter speed for the falls and I like the way the greens pop in the haze.

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