So the first one I posted was a little artsy fartsy. Here's a more traditional shot from our hike to the falls.
D2X, 17-35/2.8
Posted by Momo Vuyisich on April 10, 2007 at 10:12 PM
This is very nice. I would saturate the colors a bit, but that's it.
Posted by Kalin Wilson on April 10, 2007 at 11:24 PM
I like it, Rick. Just too first impressions when it came up. It feels a little flat, maybe 'pop' the colors a little more, more than just saturation. Are you familiar with Dan Margulis 'Canyon Conundrum - LAB Color' book? This image looks like a good candidate for some mild LAB curve steepening. Second, I think I would crop just a little off the right. The canyon wall and foliage to the right is nice but distracts a little from the falls. But I would keep some of the desert varnish on the right, just a small crop.
I've driven past this hike multiple times, your photos really make me want to stop next time!
Nice shot. I guess I'd have to see the suggested enhancements mentioned above. But I'll add my own opinion I actually like the crop, because the grove of trees balances the waterfall. Yet the waterfall, being dominent is obviously the subject. The colors look true to life, so I'd keep it as is. I also like the panoramic feel of the format. Nice job!
This is definitely on my list of places to visit!
Ken
Posted by Rene Pirolt on April 11, 2007 at 10:02 AM
Rick – that is a great shot of the falls. I love the subtle colors.
I rather like the muted color palette here, Rick. What I find especially fascinating is how the trees on the right seem to be leaning away from the waterfall, as if they were frightened of it. If anything this might benefit from a *slight* boost in contrast. Nicely done, Rick!
Beautifully done, Rick. The one time I was there was the morning after an all night rain/snow storm which turned the water muddy. Your photo shows the potential of the area for beautiful muted colors with clean water. I'll be going back someday and hopefully will get conditions closer to what you experienced. I'm not so sure your shot needs to be more saturated, sure it would be more eye catching if it was, but would it be accurate to what your eye saw?
Thanks for the feedback and suggestions everyone - it's very much appreciated!
Regarding the contrast and saturation, I'm inclined to agree that boosting one and/or the other would make for a punchier photograph, which often appeals to my sensibilities. I've posted a version here with those changes. I like that version, but in this particular case, I prefer the softer palette.
As several folks suggested - and to answer Don's question - the first version is true-to-life. That doesn't always make for a compelling presentation, but the reason it works for me in this case is the variety hues represented throughout - the reds and organges of the canyon walls, the blues of the varnish, the greens in the water and trees... A less diverse palette might need some help via increased saturation and contrast.
Regarding the crop, I think I may have one or two (or 50... ) different compositions. I've incorporated Kalin's crop suggestion in this repost. I could go either way on this one. This puts more emphasis on the falls, while the wider perspective keeps the leaning trees that Bret mentioned and that caught my eye in setting up the original comp. By the way, I'm pretty sure the trees have been pushed in that direction by the wind generated by the falls and/or winds that swirl in the bowl. The falls don't look very large, but they generate quite a breeze!
Just a quick follow-up... if I were to print and try to sell this, I'd be inclined to go for the more saturated/contrast version. Although my own preference is for the subtle palette, I suspect that in general, the saturated version has greater mass appeal.
Just as an observation, I would say that some of your recent work has tended towards softer palettes with less saturation. Due to shooting digital, I believe that when you start with less saturation and contrast, you are less likely to add too much.
Anyways I like the first version you posted better. I might do some local masking and adjustments such as add a touch of sat to the trees and burn down the brighter reflections at the left edge. Other than that, I like the muted colors which speaks more of a partly cloudy spring day! Great shot.
Posted by Tony Bouchard on April 12, 2007 at 10:44 AM
Rick,
I really like the subtlety of the reds behind & to the right of the waterfall in the original version, but I like the green of the leaves & pool in the 2nd version. If this were mine, I'd probably do some layer adjustments with masks to get the best of both. Backlit green leaves on the right would also be pretty cool.
When I look at this comp, I really want to see more above the waterfall - I feel a bit cutoff. Maybe that's because I've never been to this spot before, so I don't know what it looks like in person.
Discussion
10 repliesD2X, 17-35/2.8
I've driven past this hike multiple times, your photos really make me want to stop next time!
This is definitely on my list of places to visit!
Ken
Well done!
Don
Regarding the contrast and saturation, I'm inclined to agree that boosting one and/or the other would make for a punchier photograph, which often appeals to my sensibilities. I've posted a version here with those changes. I like that version, but in this particular case, I prefer the softer palette.
As several folks suggested - and to answer Don's question - the first version is true-to-life. That doesn't always make for a compelling presentation, but the reason it works for me in this case is the variety hues represented throughout - the reds and organges of the canyon walls, the blues of the varnish, the greens in the water and trees... A less diverse palette might need some help via increased saturation and contrast.
Regarding the crop, I think I may have one or two (or 50...
Thanks again!
Just as an observation, I would say that some of your recent work has tended towards softer palettes with less saturation. Due to shooting digital, I believe that when you start with less saturation and contrast, you are less likely to add too much.
Anyways I like the first version you posted better. I might do some local masking and adjustments such as add a touch of sat to the trees and burn down the brighter reflections at the left edge. Other than that, I like the muted colors which speaks more of a partly cloudy spring day! Great shot.
I really like the subtlety of the reds behind & to the right of the waterfall in the original version, but I like the green of the leaves & pool in the 2nd version. If this were mine, I'd probably do some layer adjustments with masks to get the best of both. Backlit green leaves on the right would also be pretty cool.
When I look at this comp, I really want to see more above the waterfall - I feel a bit cutoff. Maybe that's because I've never been to this spot before, so I don't know what it looks like in person.