A fairly popular spot to visit just outside of Bend. I wasn't there for the best light but I tried to make as much of it as I could. :) I bracketed 3 shots and did a manual blend with some slight WB adjustment and hue/saturation adjustments per channel.
These are nice falls, I don't remember seeing a photo of them. I agree with Bryan's suggestions and that you missed the best light, but it looks pretty good. Good job on the blend, although the highlights look like they are blowing just a tad. Hope to see more in the future.
Your exposure/processing for the forest and water in the FG is perfect, and the detail is amazing. If it were my image, I would remove all of the sky; it is a big distraction and is of no interest. Nice work, Nicholas, especially considering the clear sky and high sun.
Thanks everyone. I tried my best to compose this shot as best as I could with the area. The falls are kind of closed in and since I was there with family I didn't want to venture too far away from everyone. That day I was pretty much in tourist mode while vising my home town. I have the same feeling about that sky, but I was also concerned about the really tall tree that towers over the rest of them. I wanted to be careful with the editing so it didn't look overdone since all I had on me at the time was a CPL. The water is too blown for my taste but it was so bright that I couldn't even stop down to where I wanted to get the shutter speed I wanted so I had to compromise. With each passing day I keep wanting that Singh-Ray Vari-ND more and more while my wallet throws a tantrum, haha.
As far as snow, there are still spots here and there. We went along the Cascade Lakes Highway the following day and there's up to about 3-4 feet roadside here and there. Temperature was very very nice considering the warmth back in town too.
Overall I am fairly pleased with this image. Sure, it could be better but I am considering hanging this on my wall.
Posted by Chris Hodney on July 6, 2008 at 10:46 PM
I think this composition is appropriate. You've composed the river winding towards us nicely. You also did a nice job down-playing the color cast of the sun, and heavy contrast from mid-day shooting. A couple things I think it could use are : a slight boost in Levels/Curves to raise the midtones and brighter areas just a tad more, and perhaps correct the distortion shown in the trees. Looks like that would be an easy one. I like where this one is going Nicholas.
Discussion
5 repliesI've been lurking a bit too long now, hehe.
How's the snow conditions down in that area?
As far as snow, there are still spots here and there. We went along the Cascade Lakes Highway the following day and there's up to about 3-4 feet roadside here and there. Temperature was very very nice considering the warmth back in town too.
Overall I am fairly pleased with this image. Sure, it could be better but I am considering hanging this on my wall.