Wallstreet

A few recent images of the Wallstreet bend in Zion’s fantastic Narrows. It's an Iconic location so I'm on a mission to make these images my only Wallstreet shots for the years to come. I had optimal lighting for both shots; however I'm struggling with accepting both final interpretations. I’ve been working both images over and over and now I’ve come to the conclusion I need your input. True Thoughts?

That red rock sticks out like a ruby in a sea of diamonds. I think they both look fine but I prefer the larger image.

Kane, I prefer the longer (taller) version seen here, as I feel it works with the vertical walls of the canyon better. Nice light. Even though the canyon background is centered, I feel as the water has a way of pulling me around and then up to the light. An enjoyable shot for sure.

I pick the larger image.

The colors really come out and there is a fantasy quality to it. I really want to know whats beyond.

Kane, I'm torn between the two. I like the off center position of the red rock in the image above, yet I also like the greater detail in the bright distant walls in the larger image. If forced to choose, I'd go with the larger image. Either way, I suggest just a little bit of brightening in the darkest areas, such as the cleft in the wall just above the stream on the left side.

I definitely prefer the one seen here. I like the light better, I like the composition and the long exposure effect in the stream better. And I like strong contrast between the dark and light parts of the canyon walls.

I much prefer the image seen here.This is just superb! Easily one of the best ever of Wall Street!!

In the first image, I like how the right wall is darker and its edge is distinguished from the brighter back wall. The left wall seems too dark and I like how it is a little lighter and detailed in the larger version. I prefer the water and rock layout in the second version in that the individual rocks are seen better, but the brighter spot of water in the bottom middle is a little grabby to me and might be darkened a small amount. You also caught more of the right channel against the wall in the second. So I guess preference is to the second larger image if the right wall were to be darkened like in the first.

I definitely prefer the first image, as it displays more of the movement of the water which draws me into the scene better. It also has more scale to it, thus displaying more verticality of the canyon. Although it may not be distinguishable on a web version, is there more detail in the darks on the left side of the image? I would leave the darkest darks alone, but I wonder about bringing out just a bit more of the lighter darks for contrast? At least on my monitor, the lower left side below the shrubbery and above the rocks in the streambed looks extremely dark. That said, these are very minor points to images that are simply excellent.

I prefer this version as it has more definition/contrast between the darker foreground wall and the lit wall beyond. It just has more pop to it. I also like the longer exposure on the water in this one. Terrific shot Kane.

larger photo by a mile--not even close! But i do have a bias against long h2o exposures, so since the second image has less white in the water that might be swaying me. But i think it has better light/balance overall, one slight issue with both shots is the curve/line hits the rhs--but it's cleaner in the second larger post and so leads the eye better IMO.

Really tough decision for me. I like both for different reasons. I like the overall comp better in the first image. It seems to pul out the height of the canyon better. I also like the longer exposure on the water more. On the second one, I like the light a bit better on the canyon walls. I think if you could bring out more light in the first image on the canyon walls, you would have the perfect combination of both for my personal tastes. Either way, they are both really super shots Kane.

I agree with Stan - prefer the larger image. It has a sense of space and flow that just seems a little constrained in the smaller version above. Wonderful photographs, both, however!

Both of these are perfect for your 'one time only' images from here.
I greatly prefer the water motion and the glowing canyon wall in the image above, but the walls and rock in the attached version make that one my preferred image. Something you might consider would be to dodge/burn the areas where the right canyon wall 'meets' the rear one to afford a bit more separation. Perhaps decreasing the saturation a bit on the right wall and increasing it some on the rear wall would help. Regardless, you did a great job here, Kane!

Wow. What amazing critique from amazing photographers. Easily the best words of wisdom I can remember reading since I''ve been on this site for my submitted images. The critique is all over the map for both images so I think I'll keep both up on my site. I think the first shot is what I want for an image printed smaller than 24x36; bigger I'll take the second image. With the first image, I'll bring out some shadows in the left side of the canyon wall. The larger second image I need to bring out the foreground water highlights a bit, and decrease the saturation in the inner canyon walls. I'll also look at separating the distant lines better with the more immediate vertical lines.

Hmm, I revisited these and found my comment never got posted. I blame operator error.

Both are excellent images, Kane. I prefer the larger version mostly because of the better balance in tones, and the water flow isn't as cut off in it. But, seriously, these are both superb. And, I like red anytime, so the rock is fine with me.

The one posted here. the red rock looks more distracting in the larger version but here it's dynamically balanced against the interior and doesn't compete with inner glow walls as much.