Hidden Beauty

A bit more visually striking that the last couple posts I've thrown at you people , but I'm wondering.... does that horizontal branch above the falls hurt the comp a little or totally ruin the whole thing for you? I hope it's gone when I come back here in November. This is a seldom-photographed slot in SW Utah that is not part of the park system.

Thanks for comments.

I wouldn't say it ruins the image at all. Adds character? Yeah a little. The biggest issue for me is that it intersects with the top of the falls magnifying it's presence. It would obviously be better if the tree were gone, but the rest of the image is strong in my opinion, which makes up for the slight distraction.

I'd definately give it another go this fall. Like you said, hopefully it's gone by then. while you are there, sprinkle a few leaves up on the left side of the lower falls. It's a little bland over there.

I'm on the fence about this one. The elements of the leaves and trees circling the water are very nice. I particularly like the tonal gradations of yellow and orange in the URC. However I find my eye directed immediately to the center and then being led out of the photo by the flow of the water. Overall it's a bit dark on my screen, and the water has an almost purple cast to it in places (could be my monitor). The twig doesn't ruin it for me, but it would be stronger without it. I don't know how that twig like this could ruin a photo for me after having grown accustomed to Punchbowl with the fallen log.

Gorgeous photo Marc. The branch is a bit of a bummer for me, but not an image breaker. The leaves on the rock in the FG are a real hook.

The branch blends in pretty well to the cliff color, I don't have much of a problem with it at all. But maybe you should bring a hacksaw with you next time, just in case. ;)

I don't feel it ruins the photo either. It wouldn't hurt to lose the branch but there are so many other strong elements here that the branch is really inconsequential. The lighting is fantastic and water movement is perfect as usual.

I'm amazed you made this work so well, Marc. I spent about 30 minutes trying to figure out how to shoot these falls without the horizontal tree
The road to the trailhead was closed last year. It's a much longer walk now.

Guy

Usually I find logs and branches across waterfalls to be scene killers, but in this case I kind of like it - the branch adds a little dynamic to the composition and creates something of a triangle with the yellow foliage at the top.

Marc, I think the comp would be better without the tree. But since it's there I think it would work better if you could have shot a bit lower so that the tree isn't right at the top of the falls. A little separation would look better to distinguish between the falls and the tree trunk. I still think this is a very nice shot though! Definitely worth a return visit. The colors are gorgeous.

Marc, I think the tree actually helps the composition in this shot. It definitly breaks up the scene in two, but no in such a way that divides my attention. In fact, it actually keeps my eye from wandring to far into the background and instead focusing on those lovely leaves and cascades towards the bottom. I would bring back the sat. in the yellow and blue chanells, just a personal preference. Nice stuff!

It's a lovely image, but what struck me first wasn't the log, which I don't mind at all. Perhaps it's just my monitor, but the yellow foliage on top seems duller than I'm used to viewing in your images of the Southwest. I know there isn't direct light on the leaves, but still they seem a tad bit flat to my eye. The triple part waterfall is really an eye-catcher.

Love the foreground, background, and the falls, but the branch does detract from the image as it sits atop the upper falls. Still, it's not an image breaker.

David M. Cobb

Hi Marc, Your shots are always provacative...that's amazing. I love the colors of rocks, tree, leaves and the total composition w/the water. Excellent! My couple of quibs are the leaves and water at the bottom llc of the frame...both look stretched and unreal. And the long exposure's effect on the water...color (too surreal blue) and motion (too blurred w/edges that look of being encased in a bubble). Interesting at first, but if I had to keep seeing this framed on my living room wall, it would gnaw at me. Ken S

If the rest of the photo wasn't so perfect or if it were in my portfolio I would say it was fantastic. But to my eye it does rob from that characteristic Adamus perfection, and my vote would be to take that hacksaw noted above.

the lighting is so subtle/soft... I dont think the branch takes away enough to trash the image. At least the general public would never notice it...

Lovely shot...

Branch doesn't bother me as much as the blue water. Beautiful scene !!