Middle Oneonta Falls - Composition?

Greetings! This is my first time posting an image here, so hopefully I'm not stepping out of bounds by grouping versions of the same subject for the purpose of getting feedback on composition.

I've had a chance to look at several recent posts, and saw some BEAUTIFUL waterfall and stream images - and based on some of the examples and discussions, I could definitely use some feedback on how to pick among different perspectives on the same scene. Though the first image in this group has some obvious glare and shutter speed issues, I included it for its variation in composition. Comments on more than composition are also welcome, of course.

Thanks in advance! (...and now we'll see if I can get the image linked properly...)

Tom

Well before I give you some feed back.....where is the log????? I was up here just last weekend and plan on going here tomorrow....did the log move or did you clone it out??



#3 works best for me with the flow of the stream and water.....however...it would not be so great if the log were still there....that log is a killer...

When did you take these???

Good first posts!!!!

Oops! Sorry about that, Darren - I should have mentioned that these are photos from early June of last year! I was reminded of them by the other posts showing Middle Oneonta (with the log). Sorry to raise your hopes -- but maybe a chainsaw would be in order on your trip tomorrow..?

The water was MUCH higher when I was up there last year than in the pics posted here from this year. I had seen photos taken from across the creek, but it would have been a bit treacherous crossing when these were taken. I took another view from downstream that was my favorite from the trip in terms of capturing the feeling of that spot - it's a view from downstream, with the falls is partly concealed behind the alder thicket that appears on the left in the third photo, above. Hopefully, posting a link to the image isn't a violation of the "single photo" rule, but it's over here if you'd like to see it:

http://www.splintercat.org/PortlandHikers/MiddleOneonta1.jpg

Thanks for the encouraging feedback! I already employed one tip from here when assembling the photos above - the two-step sharpening technique for web images. I might need to do more than one auto-sharpen next time, but I do like the results. I had been using the "fade sharpen" adjustment to achieve similar results, but like the two-step trick. Very cool!

Tom

Tom,
Welcome and nice first posts. They do seem a little dark on my calibrated monitor. As for the three images, I'm going to have to put on the old moderator hat and say you are limited to one image per post. You can post a revision if you like after a few comments but definitly not three in a row. We'll let it slide this time.

Okay - thanks for clarifying that, Erik. I wasn't sure if the rule was for editorial purposes, or just to avoid bogging down the threads -- sounds like it's the former. How about the external link I posted - is that considered to be a multiple post? If so, that's two strikes in my first outing..!

Also, thanks for the feedback on exposure -- I think I might need to recalibrate my monitor again.

Tom

Personally Tom, I like the one you used for the Field Guide image the best out of the four. But of the first three you posted, I think #3 works the best - more so with the bottom cropped off just above the mossy rocks on the left.

MHO is for #1. There is a little more space at the top before the falls start and more forground. The trunk in the upper left and the dark rock in the upper right help to frame the image. In all 3 the water flows out the lower left corner(3 more so than 2) but the pattern of light/dark in #1 helps to break it up.

Doyle

Thanks, Bryan and Doyle - those are helpful comments, especially on cropping and framing. I have a tendency to go very wide on everything (don't want to miss anything!), and am trying to get more polished at simpler compositions.

Darren, there's a group from Portland Hikers headed up there next Saturday (after a visit to the newly "discovered" Middle Bridal Veil), so if the conditions are right -- and the log isn't too big -- we might tuck it behind that big rock on the right...

Tom

I vote with Doyle for #1. To me the light on the trees at ULC is pretty magical, as are the little sunny spots on the rocks.

I vote with Doyle for #1. To me the light on the trees at ULC is pretty magical, as are the little sunny spots on the rocks.

I vote for #1. Welcome to the forum.

I'm partial to 3..

I'd have to opine that #1 is the better comp.

Thanks for the feedback, everyone - much appreciated! I continue to be impressed by the quality of the images that I'm sorting through over here. Really impressive work, and very helpful to read the critical reviews!

Tom