Raging Spirit + Edit

Gallery: LandscapePosted June 9, 2012342 views25 comments

High water and peak spring greens at one of my favorite waterfalls in the Columbia River Gorge of Washington. It was amazing to see the insane amount of water pouring over the falls during the spring runoff. Compare this image to the one I made last fall to see what I mean. The water in this river is almost entirely spring fed which makes it incredibly clear and blue.

Nikon D7000, 10-24mm Nikkor dx at 13mm, polarizer
4 exposure hand blend for dynamic range and tree motion
1.3 sec at f/16, ISO 400 for the land and trees
1.3 sec at f/16, ISO 400 for tree motion
1 sec at f/16, ISO 100 double raw processed for the water

Thanks for any comments or suggestions you have. Larger version provided.

Comments

25 comments

Comment posted by David Edwards on June 9, 2012 at 2:44 AM

A really fresh and vibrant image Scott. The falls and forest greens look fabulous. The spearmint colored water, although a little bright, adds very nicely to the overall invigorating vibe. I like the fg on the left and thought of opening up the shadows there a bit more for detail. Nice shot!

Registered on December 6, 2008, 142 Posts, 2623 Comments

Comment posted by Peter Coskun on June 9, 2012 at 3:38 AM

I enjoy the contrast of colors here and they pop nicely throughout the image. The large version really shows the nice detail in the foliage. Don't really have any suggestions here. Very nice.

Registered on October 31, 2011, 170 Posts, 1240 Comments

Comment posted by Nicolaus Wegner on June 9, 2012 at 4:08 AM

Wow, what a difference! I like this one way more. Beautiful colors in the water.

Registered on February 21, 2010, 133 Posts, 1509 Comments

Comment posted by Jorne de Bruin on June 9, 2012 at 9:10 AM

Lovely lush & vribrant scene! Especially the larger version is very good, the falls look great!

Registered on June 26, 2008, 178 Posts, 2136 Comments

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on June 9, 2012 at 12:22 PM

Very beautiful. That water color is almost like a dream.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 364 Posts, 22328 Comments

Comment posted by Bob&Charly Nelson on June 9, 2012 at 12:31 PM

I love the lush greens and the settings you used to capture the water. Superb work in my opinion.
Bob

Registered on October 27, 2005, 289 Posts, 4202 Comments

Comment posted by Shantikara Valuska on June 9, 2012 at 12:44 PM

Amazing shot. Very nice composition and mood. I like the vibrant colors, specially the water. great job!

Registered on July 25, 2011, 38 Posts, 451 Comments

Comment posted by Marc Adamus on June 9, 2012 at 1:02 PM

I love the way the curve of the mossy cliffs leads the eye through the scene. Might consider just a hint more detail in the lower right. Nice work here.

Registered on September 17, 2005, 780 Posts, 8091 Comments

Comment posted by Tom Kualii on June 9, 2012 at 2:11 PM

Sweet Image.

Registered on November 24, 2010, 53 Posts, 139 Comments

Comment posted by Michael J Greene, on June 9, 2012 at 5:14 PM

Looks like death if you fall in there. Great processing and thanks for including the techs. Image looks super - no suggestions for improvement.

Registered on June 18, 2009, 86 Posts, 2317 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Overacker on June 9, 2012 at 5:42 PM

Scott,

The turquoise in the water is amazing. Reminds me of the turquoise version of cotton candy. Excellent comp and thanks for the comparison image - what a difference.

Only suggestion I have would be a tad more exposure in the LLC - not too much as it's clearly a shadow area, but maybe just a tad more detail there? Otherwise, this is quite wonderful.

Lon

Registered on November 24, 2006, 521 Posts, 19147 Comments

Comment posted by Scott Smorra on June 9, 2012 at 7:08 PM

Thanks to everyone for all of the comments. This kind of quality feedback is exactly why I like NPN so much!

I took Marc's suggestion to add a bit more detail to the water in the lower right area. I blended another image there that was 0.8 sec at f/16, ISO 100. This added just a touch of extra detail there and I like how it turned out.

I also followed Lon and Davids suggestion to brighten up the LLC. I initially tried to just brighten the shadows a little, but didn't like how it turned out. What I ended up doing was dodging the highlights using a luminosity mask and dodge/burn layer.

Let me know if you think these adjustments improve the image. Thanks!

Registered on November 2, 2009, 161 Posts, 2143 Comments

Comment posted by Nathan Apodaca on June 9, 2012 at 7:21 PM

I enjoyed comparing this to the other version with less flow! Very interesting. The re-post looks great to me. I can't get over the glacier-blue color the water displays along with the vibrant moss, leaves, etc...

Registered on November 16, 2011, 67 Posts, 1127 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on June 9, 2012 at 7:29 PM

Wow! What a beautiful scene. I like this image alot, Scott. I love the misty glow, beautiful colors and wonderful detail. Interesting seeing your shot from last fall again too, which is also very nice! Love the feel of this one. Really nice work.
Now I see the repost...even better. I like the extra detail in the lower right water. Looks great!
Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

Registered on February 1, 2004, 752 Posts, 14140 Comments

Comment posted by Nancy Lea Sandy on June 9, 2012 at 8:18 PM

Incredible greens, but it's the water that really appeals to me. The soft folds of the lower falls are really fine. Wonderful job

Registered on January 24, 2011, 576 Posts, 6942 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Overacker on June 9, 2012 at 10:32 PM

Let me know if you think these adjustments improve the image.

Absolutely. Subtle changes, but just the right amount of touch. Hadn't considered Marc's suggestion, but I must say that adjustment made a considerable difference. thanks for reworking.

Lon

Registered on November 24, 2006, 521 Posts, 19147 Comments

Comment posted by Dean Sauskojus on June 10, 2012 at 1:52 PM

The color is awesome! The one on your site is equally as good or better. Really lovely image Scott.

Registered on September 29, 2009, 137 Posts, 2659 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Metternich on June 10, 2012 at 4:44 PM

Excellent! Marketable!

Registered on June 19, 2009, 276 Posts, 6240 Comments

Comment posted by Morris McClung on June 10, 2012 at 4:49 PM

Oh man, the color is fantastic! Great comp as well.

Registered on May 7, 2007, 670 Posts, 19650 Comments

Comment posted by Jeremy Calow on June 11, 2012 at 8:43 AM

I like the repost a touch more, but both are really well made images. I can just imagine the sound of the water here which makes it all the more special in my book. I will be making my first trip to the gorge this fall, and hope to come away with something this good!!

Registered on November 8, 2007, 39 Posts, 363 Comments

Comment posted by Harry Lichtman on June 11, 2012 at 2:03 PM

Scott - What a difference between this and the fall shot - not only the flow but the moss colors. A lush jungle scene. The increased detail of the LLC really helped balance the image. Amazing place.

Registered on September 17, 2010, 304 Posts, 3507 Comments

Comment posted by David Bostock on June 11, 2012 at 7:08 PM

Awesome shot, Scott. Absolutely fantastic.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 90 Posts, 2778 Comments

Comment posted by Ned Fenimore on June 11, 2012 at 11:16 PM

You really nailed it, Scott.. it was great experiencing this with you..

Registered on November 1, 2003, 467 Posts, 2803 Comments

Comment posted by Zack Clothier on June 13, 2012 at 3:30 AM

The repost looks great, Scott, really like your composition here too! How high are the falls?

Registered on January 28, 2010, 343 Posts, 2257 Comments

Comment posted by David Edwards on June 13, 2012 at 7:04 AM

The repost is fabulous Scott.

Registered on December 6, 2008, 142 Posts, 2623 Comments