Introduction and Ice Lake Basin

Hello everyone!

This would mark my first post as a new member to this forum. And before I say anything else, there are some absolutely amazing works of photography that I have seen from many of you on this forum. I hope to be able to contribute as I get more familiar with this forum.

I'm am a photo enthusiast and as with many of you a nature lover as well and enjoy this hobby when time permits from work and spending time with the family. My equipment probably exceeds my capabilities but when I know I enjoy something I try to do it right, within my budget of course.

Anyhow, I didn't want to make my first post too long as I plan to be active on this forum. And of course, couldn't end this introduction without a picture for you all to critic.

I'm sure most if not all of you know this place or have visited many times.
Shot with Canon 5dII, Zeiss 35mm, double exposure, adjustments made in Lightroom3 with the usual adjustments.

I wanted this shot after seeing it coming back from Island Lake but that morning did not cooperate, overcast and it looked really bleak for me. I was wandering close by after getting bored but still had the camera and tripod set up for this shot. I quickly ran back as somehow, that moment when sun came thru for literally 30 secs, was able to get off about 6 shots before it disappeared for the rest of the morning. I really was hoping to get a shot with the sun hitting the fall and Golden Horn but this was what came out. I'm happy how this turned out as it probably as close as I can get it to how I saw it that morning, including that golden orange glow.

I'm open to all critics but one thing that I found to be very challenging with digital photography is getting it to display not just right on my computer but making it right for printing, and viewing online so would love to get some feedback on how this looks on your screens as well.

Thanks a ahead and looking forward to more posts.

Welcome Dave to NPN. Certainly and interesting perspective of the peaks in Ice Lakes basin. In fact I'm not sure I have seen too many images of that waterfall although its hard to miss on the way up, so I give you kuddos for trying something new. I'm having trouble understanding the falls in this image. To my eye the falls seems to curve to the right. Maybe its because the falls is stepping to the right, and the tiny gorge is heading to the left. That's probably why I'm having trouble with the comp. All in all, it's not a deal breaker for me because everything else looks spot on; especially the blend and color.

Nice shot. Welcome to the forum, I am still relatively new here as well. I was just up there for the second time this July. Didn't make it down to that view. Definitely an interesting perspective . Not looking on the best monitor, but, looks like maybe a slight cyan color cast in the water of the falls

Thanks Kane - yes, I had the same thought when I loaded this image at home. There is a step to the right before it hits a tiny pool, hidden by the ledge and then turns left as it heads down the lower basin. There are several ledges that are a bit tricky and can be dangerous as the rocks are loose. I spent a bit of time trying to find the right ledge that gave just enough of the peaks in the back. One of the most challenging part for me was the waterfall and determining what to include as there's a bit more to the left as it cascades down. I got fairly lucky as the overcast actually lightened up the foreground and the base of the mountain to the point where blending wasn't a huge issue.

Randy - I will double check the cast you are mentioning to make sure as I'm definitely not seeing in on my monitor.

Welcome!
A fine composition and a scene I've never really seen from the Ice Lakes area. I especially like the light on the mountains and how the shadow on peak on the left is almost a mirror image of the peak itself. Very cool!

Welcome to RMNP! This is definitely a unique perspective on Ice Lakes. I like it. Great light on the peak and a nice balance of a difficult exposure.

Welcome Dave! A really nice image to begin your participation. I really like the comp and it looks like some great light. My only nit would be it appears there are some blown out areas in the middle of the falls.

Welcome to the group, Dave. A fine image. Great colors.

It would have been great to have an additional exposure to recover those blown out highlights in the waterfall.
If you enlarge this for a big print, you might find those areas become more obnoxious.

Welcome Dave. He first things I noticed about the image were the nice warm light, the mimicking shadow on the one peak, and the water highlights.

Thank you for the feedback. I was so focused on getting the composition, color, blending and exposure correct that I really didn't think too much about the shadows on the peak and blown out highlights in the waterfall. Now that I looked the waterfall again, yes, I can see the blown highlights. The good news is that I was able to get off about 6 shots and do have a some images that have do not clip the water. In fact, I'll take a look again as it's possible that i blew out the highlights when adding curve, if that's possible. Very interesting as I know one of the tips with photography is to make sure your waterfall if white and not grey, I probably over emphasized the "white". Don't get me wrong, I do have the usual shots of the basin but thought maybe I would start with a view of the basin that I personally have not seeing many but maybe a couple online so as not to bore you all. Beautiful basin though...I'd love to make a trip up there again, hopefully catch a better wildflower season, especially that lower basin.

Hi Dave, welcome to the forum! Nice perspective on the falls here--looks good. Fix the highlights and it will be a winner.

Thanks everyone, I just need to find some time to clean this up. Much appreciated.

Welcome Dave! I think you got some great comments from everyone here. This forum is such a great place to learn and grow. I know that I learned most of what I know from the suggestions I've received here.

Welcome, and a fine first post. Just listen to these eagle eyed critics and you will welcome the improvement in your photography in the next year!