Luminous Landscape Forum

Equipment & Techniques => Landscape & Nature Photography => Topic started by: Dave Pluimer on June 13, 2014, 09:16:21 pm

Title: Upper Falls - Old Man's Cave Gorge
Post by: Dave Pluimer on June 13, 2014, 09:16:21 pm
(http://www.davepluimer.com/Land-Sky/i-mCnbTqx/0/XL/Hocking__20140606_16161-Edit-XL.jpg)

Canon 6D, Canon 70-200 f/4 L IS - 6.0s, f/9, ISO 100, CP

I wasn't sure about the foreground (still am not sure). But, if you look closely, there are very clear reflections of the rocks on the falls showing through. I thought that was interesting since they are so clear.

Feedback and critique is appreciated.

dp
Title: Re: Upper Falls - Old Man's Cave Gorge
Post by: Richard Pearlman on June 13, 2014, 10:27:06 pm
I think it would work better with the foreground cropped out. I find the out of focus rocks too distracting.
Title: Re: Upper Falls - Old Man's Cave Gorge
Post by: Dave (Isle of Skye) on June 14, 2014, 04:30:52 am
If you did go back to shoot this scene again, I think it would be a great candidate for creating a focus stacked image.

Dave
Title: Re: Upper Falls - Old Man's Cave Gorge
Post by: Dave Pluimer on June 14, 2014, 07:56:13 am
Dave - thanks for that. Looking back now, I agree. There are several other shots where, when I return there, will do that very thing.
Title: Re: Upper Falls - Old Man's Cave Gorge
Post by: luxborealis on June 14, 2014, 10:22:30 pm
Lovely photo. It seems the waterfall is the raisin d'ėtre of this photograph. The problem, though, seems to be the distracting elements competing for attention such as the out of focus foreground and the bright highlights on the surrounding rocks. Tame these and the photo becomes stronger.

To that end, along with focus-stacking, consider also using a polarizing filter. It will tame, to some degree, the competing highlights of the rock. Alternatively, use an adjustment brush in these bright rock areas set to reduce highlights and exposure.

Consider also using a grad adjustment for the out of focus foreground - try setting it with reduced highlights (e.g. –50) and some reduced exposure (and perhaps some reduced clarity) to bring attention back to the waterfall.

Hope this helps.
Title: Re: Upper Falls - Old Man's Cave Gorge
Post by: sdwilsonsct on June 14, 2014, 11:58:49 pm
Very promising. I find the foreground distracting.
Title: Re: Upper Falls - Old Man's Cave Gorge
Post by: Ed B on June 15, 2014, 01:29:01 am
Yeah, lose the foreground.
Title: Re: Upper Falls - Old Man's Cave Gorge
Post by: Paulo Bizarro on June 16, 2014, 04:34:18 am
Nice place, and I do agree, lose the foreground.
Title: Re: Upper Falls - Old Man's Cave Gorge
Post by: Dave Pluimer on June 16, 2014, 12:36:55 pm
Thanks for all of the feedback. It will crop nicely to 4x5 or 11x14 and take care of that.
Title: Re: Upper Falls - Old Man's Cave Gorge
Post by: louoates on June 16, 2014, 01:02:45 pm
Easy to crop it as you describe.
Another idea is to add an in-focus shot of the rocks from another shot into the foreground.
Title: Re: Upper Falls - Old Man's Cave Gorge
Post by: ThePhotoDude on July 14, 2014, 07:33:29 am
I think the off focus foreground is distracting, but cropping it off leads the image to be too flat, too two-dimensional and a pretty, but pretty uninspiring image. Postcard image really.

I think if you were able to re-shoot, either focus stack or stop down and try get a hyperfocal distance shot.
You need that foreground however.