Draining the Swamp

Gallery: LandscapePosted December 31, 20173,898 views7 comments

The NH seacoast received a lot of spring rain and snow this year, resulting in a very high water table until early summer. I was riding my bike along the coast in nearby Rye when I heard an unusually large rushing noise. After investigating, I saw that the marsh that separated the coastal road from the ocean had created a torrent through a culvert under the road emptying into the sea. The resulting cascades and rocks looked like it might have possibilities under different lighting, so I came back the next morning at sunrise. I wedged a large piece of cardboard that I could mold when wet to the rocks to divert some of the flow that missed the main drop to increase the size of this portion of the rivulet.

810D, f16, ISO 64, 3 exposures focal stacked to retain detail in the seaweed which was a couple of inches away from the lens, a final exposure a bit darker for the brighter sky.

Comments

7 comments

Comment posted by Igor Doncov on January 1, 2018 at 2:02 AM

I like the perspective here very much. It's a bit like your previous image. The light on the rockweed is very gentle which shows off the texture nicely. It's a fairly unique composition in that moving water shot with slow SS is gradually merged with standing water. I would think that transition may be tricky.

Registered on November 22, 2014, 189 Posts, 2733 Comments

Comment posted by Harley Goldman on January 1, 2018 at 8:21 AM

When I saw the title, I thought it was going to be a political image. sad

This is real nice. I find the lower right area a bit heavy, but no crops come to mind and as said, just a bit (not a image breaker at all). Real nice depth, flow and color. I like this!

Registered on November 19, 2003, 586 Posts, 11271 Comments

Comment posted by Harry Lichtman on January 1, 2018 at 10:32 AM

Harley - Agreed a bit heavy on the lower right. Not much I could do regarding my position to minimize it a bit, unless I crop to more of a 4 x 5 format and loose some of the big rock as well on the right.

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

Comment posted by Lon Overacker on January 1, 2018 at 12:58 PM

Harry,

Ha, Ha! Draining the swamp - and quite literally. sad

Agree the LR is a bit dominant, but also agree with Igor about the soft light - and so on balance I think there isn't much to change here to improve anything. In fact, one of the appealing things about this image is the "v" that is created. A lead-in for sure, but not a line or a curve, but the eye most certainly is getting drawn in to the scene and it works beautifully.

Subtle, but I'm really enjoying how the colors are being picked up in the water at the very bottom where the flow enters the frame. Oh, and great job doing a little diverting of the water. I've been known to splash water on dry rocks, but can't say I've ever diverted water flow. I'll have to keep that in the back pocket. ;-)

The large view really opens up with nice depth as well. No nits or suggestions. Beautifully done.

Lon

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

Comment posted by Peter Richter on January 1, 2018 at 1:35 PM

There is a lot going on in your image, and what is most interesting to me is the transition of flow from the dynamic foreground cascade to the quiet open sea in the depth. The details of the plants that are just hit by the first sunrays add a lot in my opinion.

Looking at this scene makes me wonder how it looked like a few moments before sunrise - totally different of course, but maybe amazing too.

Peter

Registered on November 10, 2010, 218 Posts, 2723 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hansen on January 1, 2018 at 4:43 PM

I love the dynamic foreground water flow as it contrasts with the relatively calm water beyond the rocks and the very serene look and feel of the clouds and setting sun. Beautiful image.

Registered on May 5, 2011, 161 Posts, 908 Comments

Comment posted by Harry Lichtman on January 2, 2018 at 8:28 AM

Peter - Had there been more cloudsÂ above me, some of the cloud color might have reflected to the water areas, but not much interest in those areas. I neededÂ the diffused color after the sun had risen to create the colorful water and wet rock highlights.

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