This is probably the best traditional shot I've ever managed to capture from my several dozen lifetime trips to Punch Bowl falls. It had just finished raining heavily and it was one of those days where thick pockets of mist rolled accross the forest landscape from time to time. I waited below the falls for about half an hour or so before I was allowed to capture the fog over the falls.
Yes, the log is still there and almost certainly will be for the next few decades. This is, however a portrayal of nature and despite our vision of composition and what might appear flawed or out of place to some, it is none the less a beautiful place to experience. The log has certainly grown on me over the years.
This was also the last shot I kept from my now deceased, Canon 5D. The new one arrives tomorrow!
Very, very nice! What lense did you use? I think you would have a stronger composition if you cropped just above the two rocks in the foreground. They seem to be looming. Still, a great image.
I certainly like the low angle you chose to shoot this from and the subtle highlights on the FG rocks make for a stronger FG. I just can't get past that log, perhaps because I was fortunate enuf to shoot this area before it took up permanent residence. I would imagine this would have alot more appeal to me if I had never seen this area "pre-log".
Marc, great shot. I checked out the Photo Art version as well. Nice job on the retouching. Wish it were like that today. Although, I agree with you that the log is there as a part of nature and it is still a beautiful scene.
A classic, Marc. It's good to see you take some pics that I've done before. It helps me see how you handle the situation differently than me.
Kevin
Posted by Curtis Knight on June 20, 2006 at 11:47 AM
Just think, some day when the log finally falls (pardon the pun) it'll float to about this point and we'll all be scrambling to get leading line shots with the log in the FG...
I agree with you Marc, but this log embarrassed me a couple years ago... When I first joined this forum, the Lundh bros. and I debated the attractivness of the characteristic PNW logs around the waterfalls. For the most part I think they add a unique character to our streams and waterfalls. Most of the time Rick and Erik were complaining about them. Then we had our Fall Gorge outing that year and I hadn't been to Punchbowl for over 20 years. I saw the log and immediately started looking for a comp that would use the log to an advantage... when I couldn't find a comp I liked, I looked at Rick and said "That damn log!" Since then I have kept my mouth shut about logs...
But like I said, I agree, it's just nature, and it's the scene as nature intended... some day when the log is gone, I'm sure we'll miss it... NOT!
Posted by Sean Watson on June 20, 2006 at 12:06 PM
Looks like you've done your usual spectacular job with this.
It's interesting what you did with the shadows on the cliffs; it really accentuates the reflected light from the falls. I really like the streaming light to the right of the falls and the wetness of the rocks in the FG.
Lovely work, making the log a part of a strong composition.....I don't know if this is conscious/intentional but imho the log's line toward urc is balanced by the line of rocks from lower center toward left side.... don't change the crop, don't change anything.
Discussion
14 repliesYes, the log is still there and almost certainly will be for the next few decades. This is, however a portrayal of nature and despite our vision of composition and what might appear flawed or out of place to some, it is none the less a beautiful place to experience. The log has certainly grown on me over the years.
This was also the last shot I kept from my now deceased, Canon 5D. The new one arrives tomorrow!
Very, very nice! What lense did you use? I think you would have a stronger composition if you cropped just above the two rocks in the foreground. They seem to be looming. Still, a great image.
Kevin
I agree with you Marc, but this log embarrassed me a couple years ago... When I first joined this forum, the Lundh bros. and I debated the attractivness of the characteristic PNW logs around the waterfalls. For the most part I think they add a unique character to our streams and waterfalls. Most of the time Rick and Erik were complaining about them. Then we had our Fall Gorge outing that year and I hadn't been to Punchbowl for over 20 years. I saw the log and immediately started looking for a comp that would use the log to an advantage... when I couldn't find a comp I liked, I looked at Rick and said "That damn log!" Since then I have kept my mouth shut about logs...
But like I said, I agree, it's just nature, and it's the scene as nature intended... some day when the log is gone, I'm sure we'll miss it... NOT!
It's interesting what you did with the shadows on the cliffs; it really accentuates the reflected light from the falls. I really like the streaming light to the right of the falls and the wetness of the rocks in the FG.
Sean