Umbrella Falls | October 2006

Here's another from last year, this time Umbrella Falls in late October. I'd appreciate input on any detail, but especially composition.

As anyone who frequents this spot knows, there was a small landslide in the late 90s that dumped a grove of trees right into the falls, signficantly marring the view. The pile of debris has gradually slid into the lower right side of the falls, and is SLOWLY breaking down and becoming less raw, but nonetheless, I tried to hide some of it behind the huckleberries - comments on whether that was a good idea, or even works, would be welcome. I'm looking forward to when the falls is as open as it used to be!

BTW, this image involves some cloned-over light bleed at the top of the falls - hopefully, that's not obvious to someone who doesn't know that tricky aspect of this view.

Thanks in advance!

Tom

Olympus E-300, 17mm at 1/2 second -- not sure of aperature, but small!

Waterfalls and fall color are always a good combination. Not much you can do about the debris; seems to be present in just about every waterfall in the NW. As far as the composition is concerned I feel there is too much on the left 1/2 that isn't contributing significantly to this image. Did you try any verticals from this vantage point? I like a crop just to the left of that small fir that's on the left about half way up the cascades.

I dissent from Mark's suggestion. I love the orange fall colors on the left. I like it fine just as it is.

Very nice colors! I'm not sure I love the left part of image, although the colors are very nice it draws me away from the falls and keeps the photo a bit out of balance. A vertical might be better here, without as much space on the left. You captured good colors and good exposure for the water, but it looks a little dark in some of the shadows on my work monitor, but it isn't calibrated.

I've come back to this several times trying to figure out what isn't working. I think I agree that the left half of the image isn't really contributing, and in fact serves as a minor distraction. I really love the colors overall. I'd like to see a vertical comp though.

A lot going on here, but not too much to kill the serene mood. The colors are nice.

To me it seems there is a little too much empahsis on the of foreground, perhaps just a small crop off the bottom (taking out the green leaves).

I like it tom, the colors everywhere are just fine for me, and add a nice sense of balance with the attention grabbing water. I might wish for just a bit more space on the upper right, I feel it's a tad scrunched up there. Other than that, great shot.

Yeah, I think a little more room on the top and left would have really balanced this one out better.

Thanks for the comments, especially on composition - much appreciated! I have a built-in inclination to go too wide, no matter the scene, so it's very helpful to get feedback on how to crop or re-frame these.

Tom