Spruced Up

Gallery: LandscapePosted November 8, 2014428 views8 comments

Here's another photo from my recent trip to the Smokies. I want to re-visit this location in the spring when the Rhododendron are in bloom. I think it would be spectacular then.

Unfortunately there is some motion blur in some of the foliage that I didn't notice when I captured the image. It's all part of the learning process I suppose.

21mm
f16 @ 1.3 sec
ISO 100

Processing Info:

TK's luminosity and vibrance masks
Color balance adjustments (to balance the light on the waterfall in the foreground and background - background was cooler)
And a pinch of TK's Make-it-glow.

As always, all comments and critiques are welcome. I'm particularly interested to know if you think I went over the top in the processing here. I also welcome comments on the composition since I want to return to this spot in the spring.

Comments

8 comments

Comment posted by Philip Hodgkins on November 8, 2014 at 1:59 PM

Generally, I like this photo. The leaf movement is not really noticeable at this size. I do think slightly less shutter speed might have given you more realistic water flow.

Registered on July 24, 2006, 2741 Posts, 12349 Comments

Comment posted by scott lanz on November 8, 2014 at 4:24 PM

Very pretty, Brian. I like the colors and the comp. I think the movement in the leaves is immaterial. I do agree with Phil that, due to the slow ss and the brightness of the water, you've lost detail in the water. Still a very nice image and a place that is certainly worth revisiting.

Registered on November 14, 2003, 840 Posts, 12902 Comments

Comment posted by D.A. Edwards on November 8, 2014 at 5:49 PM

I don't even see any motion blur in the larger image. I think the processing is spot on and the comp is just fine but for my tastes the shutter speed is a bit too long which creates too much water area with no detail at all. Your tastes may certainly vary.

Registered on October 8, 2014, 226 Posts, 1187 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Teller on November 8, 2014 at 10:55 PM

I do agree that the composition and colors are nice. I also agree that the water lacks detail. A shot well worth working on if you get back there.

Registered on August 23, 2010, 1162 Posts, 6692 Comments

Comment posted by gary phillips on November 9, 2014 at 1:30 AM

Well, what is life but one big experiment. I too agree that a slightly faster SS would have provided more detail. I sorta like what you have going on here. The whites of the water dominate the composition and I like the smattering of orange leaves along the edges of the falls. There are a couple of bright leaves along the right edge that I would clone as they are eye grabbers. This falls has great potential and I think this is a very nice iteration.

Registered on October 24, 2013, 185 Posts, 4136 Comments

Comment posted by Paul Breitkreuz on November 9, 2014 at 10:40 AM

Brian, this is truly a tough scene to capture all around with water action and wind in the foliage. It always gets into a trade off somewhere with exposure, shutterspeed, and wind conditions. This is very respectable under the circumstances, but would go with less shutter on the water as a bit of priority on the scene. Regardless, the composition works perfectly.

Registered on February 25, 2006, 525 Posts, 8448 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Reid on November 9, 2014 at 11:39 AM

Really nice comp with some very nice colors and details Brian. The water feels a little bright to me and I agree about a slightly shorter SS. TK's triple play action might pull out some more detail in the falls if you have it. But a very nice scene worth working with. Very nice job.

Registered on January 27, 2013, 65 Posts, 2460 Comments

Comment posted by Ryan Shain on November 9, 2014 at 1:49 PM

Brian,

The power of the falls is well felt in this image, and the composition looks spot on. Have you thought about trying to convert this ti b+w? Bill mentioned Tony's triple play, and that could help out this image pull some more details from the water. I think the processing looks really good on the foliage and other aspects of the image, minus the water.

I would say definitely go back here and nail this image

Registered on February 20, 2007, 226 Posts, 4571 Comments