Darkness Falls

Gallery: LandscapePosted May 9, 2016184 views13 comments

The night gently envelopes the Waterfall in a canyon at Matthiessen State Park in Utica, IL. I was on my final shot of the day, and I felt drawn to this final scene. It must have been the contrast between darkness and light in this image, but there was something very spiritual this night in this place. I have been going back and forth about how to process the shadows in this scene, but I have decided on a darker tone as this image was captured at 30 seconds. In the web representation, the shadows are hard to see detail in, but in a large print or zoomed in closely, one can make out the details the way I saw them on this fine night.

I would very much enjoy any thoughts y'all have on this image. I have been a bit busy for the past month or so, and thank you so much for any time y'all have for viewing this image.

canon 70d, 24-105, circ polarizer, ISO 100, F11, tripod, 30 seconds

Comments

13 comments

Comment posted by D.A. Edwards on May 9, 2016 at 7:43 PM

Special rendition of a spectacular location. So often random tree trunks can mess up a scene like this but in this case the crossed pair really makes the composition. The blacks don't bother me in the least and the SS suits my taste. I like those little tendrils of water in the FG. Great light. I could see a square crop of this working well also. Thanks for sharing!

Registered on October 8, 2014, 226 Posts, 1187 Comments

Comment posted by Harley Goldman on May 9, 2016 at 7:46 PM

This turned out great. It has a nice moody feel and I really like the crossing logs. The dark shadows look quite natural to my eye. Definitely it should be viewed BIG.

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

Comment posted by Dan Kearl on May 9, 2016 at 7:50 PM

Terrific use of B & W for a waterfall photo. You did a very nice job with the whites...
The logs do not detract for me, although I sort of wish the rear one was not there...

Registered on September 2, 2013, 209 Posts, 1514 Comments

Comment posted by gary phillips on May 9, 2016 at 8:45 PM

Sweet B/W image Ryan. Love it. The tones look spot on to me and I love dark images. I think I would clone whatever the light thing (leaf?) on the rock ledge on the right. I could also see some off the bottom and right side. But one really nice image as is. Well done.

Registered on October 24, 2013, 185 Posts, 4136 Comments

Comment posted by Roel Wijtmans on May 10, 2016 at 11:20 AM

I think you made a good decision going for b+w, this looks pretty damn nice! The patterns in the small cascades in the foreground are great, and complement the waterfall very well. The dark parts are dark indeed, but they work for me. To me, it gives this photo that special "last light of the day" feeling.

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

Comment posted by Dave Dillemuth on May 10, 2016 at 8:19 PM

Outstanding, Ryan. Those crossing dead falls add a lot of interest. I think the darker rendering works beautifully, adding a bit of mystery. Great work!

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

Comment posted by Ed Lowe on May 10, 2016 at 8:47 PM

Sweet image, Ryan. The darkness of the scene looks very natural to me and gives the image a sense of mystery. The B&W processing looks great and I like those two crossed logs; they make for another interesting element in the scene.

Ed

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

Comment posted by Vance Gese on May 10, 2016 at 11:58 PM

Exquisite image. Your use of black and white was spot on. Love the dark shadows and how the luminous water flows through like liquid light. The crossed trees add a wonderful graphic element. Superb image. The large image is a joy to view.

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

Comment posted by Jim Jirka on May 11, 2016 at 10:52 AM

Ryan,

One of my favorite haunts from my life in Chicago. I have a job coming up in August/September in Edelstein. I hope to get out there and starved rock during my down time.

I like how the logs sort of mark an X at the spot. Draws your eye into the meat and potatoes of the image.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 254 Posts, 1620 Comments

Comment posted by Tom Falley on May 11, 2016 at 1:35 PM

Ryan:

On my monitor I actually see more shadow detail in the small version. Indeed I can envision this being quite spectacular in a fine print, on say the old silver Ilford Gallerie with the blacks having texture reaching out of the frame.

Wearing rubber boots I presume?

Very nice indeed!

Tom

Registered on November 21, 2014, 189 Posts, 454 Comments

Comment posted by David Schoen on May 12, 2016 at 12:40 AM

Very nice placement of all elements. Nice tonal balance. SS is right on for this. Lots to look at. Foreground water is very nice and the waterfall is superb. Logs tie it together.

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

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on May 13, 2016 at 9:57 AM

Hey Ryan, This looks great. You really seemed to have captured the feelings/mood of this night in this shot. I think your choice to go b&w worked out wonderfully as did the 30 second exposure. I also like this composition very much. Excellent work! Nick
Like you I haven't had time to be on here much lately but hopefully will have again soon.

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

Comment posted by John Williams on May 13, 2016 at 11:26 PM

Looks great to me Ryan. I like the way those logs cross.

Registered on September 6, 2007, 221 Posts, 5985 Comments