A Moment to Reflect

Gallery: LandscapePosted June 29, 2013319 views9 comments

Howdy folks!

I finally had a chance to get a shot of Punchbowl falls in the conditions I've been wanting for some time now. I started early around 6:30am on a super rainy morning up Eagle Creek. Kinda wish I had brought my climbing helmet with me as there were large rocks and trees falling all over the place in the cabled cliff sections. One hit could have easily sent me to my death! Yikes!

I finally reached Punchbowl falls right as the rain lifted a bit for several minutes. I knew it would be a short window of time, so I got out my umbrella and just started ripping away at gathering segments for my panorama. I often get so focused on firing off photos that I tend to not realize things like ducks sitting in one of my panorama passes. haha

Any feedback on this shot is most welcome! Too dark? Too contrasty? Good as is? Larger version provided!

Canon 6D
Canon 70-200 F4 L IS
Lee linear Polarizing 4x4 filter

Thanks!
Johan Eickmeyer

Comments

9 comments

Comment posted by Michael Cothran on June 29, 2013 at 9:43 AM

I think it's fine as is. No improvements needed for my taste. The brighter center area is perfect for drawing in the eye.

Registered on December 5, 2012, 31 Posts, 730 Comments

Comment posted by Matt Anderson on June 29, 2013 at 11:26 AM

Beautiful pano format. Such a lush scene.
Maybe open the shadows very slight in the darkest of areas.
I would very delicately dodge around the ducks, or, do a curves move on the shadow end, opening up that area, and using the history state, rebrush that curve move into the area with a very soft brush on a flow of 5 and an opacity of 10, so you don't leave any hard edges, yet accenting the ducks.

Registered on September 6, 2007, 346 Posts, 2696 Comments

Comment posted by Bob Miller on June 29, 2013 at 11:47 AM

Ditto the suggestion of opening up the shadows- they are a bit too dark on my monitor. Nice touch with the ducks!

Registered on January 24, 2005, 152 Posts, 405 Comments

Comment posted by Johan Eickmeyer on June 29, 2013 at 11:54 AM

Thanks for the feedback, guys! I did try running the shadows a little brighter, but it kinda loses the emphasis on the falls.

I'll try to upload a different version when I get a chance.

Registered on March 25, 2013, 36 Posts, 164 Comments

Comment posted by Johan Eickmeyer on June 29, 2013 at 12:01 PM

Strange how the image does look darker on NPN than on my computer in PS CS6. It must be the high contrast of this website's background and layout that may be causing my issues.

Here's a correction to the curves that should make it look like it does on my monitor in PS. It's subtle, but hopefully you guys will notice!

Thanks!

Registered on March 25, 2013, 36 Posts, 164 Comments

Comment posted by Nathan Apodaca on June 29, 2013 at 5:11 PM

The re-post is definitely better (I'm glad I saw it before I posted a different comment about the shadows)! Yes, it is a bit tough with the white background here...

The very-only thing I might mention, is the bright reflection in the middle, lower section of the water (right above the edge of the frame). I know this is incredibly picky, but it could be toned down a bit, IMO. I like your pano choice here, and placement of the falls in the near-center of the frame. I really like this, and the ducks are an added bonus!

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

Comment posted by Lon Overacker on June 29, 2013 at 6:28 PM

Johan,

What a wonderful rendition from this oft photographed fall and location. I think you've captured and presented a beautiful take on this. Excellent! The ducks are almost serendipitous - great compliment to the scene.

I would agree with the others about a slight boost in the darker areas - simply because they occupy a lot of space in the frame due to the pano format.

I actually wan't going to mention this until I read Nathan's comment, but I echo his suggestion. Not a big deal, but a slight eye magnet that could be reduced a little.

Other than that, I'm really enjoying this view and image.

Lon

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

Comment posted by Mark Metternich on July 6, 2013 at 5:13 PM

Ok, let me see now. I think I have been here maybe 50-70X now (leading workshops or my own musings). Having said that, I think you have a great stitch pano here! Love the bird in there!

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

Comment posted by Robert Park on July 23, 2013 at 11:48 PM

Johan

Very nice. I did this 2 years ago and remember the frigid water! This has a nice mood to it that resonates well. I did mine as a pano too so it s nice to see that variation. Yes the first seems a bit dense on my calibrated NEC.
It looks like it was well worth braving the elements!

Robert Park

Registered on December 6, 2010, 0 Posts, 1 Comments