View from the Grotto

[Arlen]

It takes a while to get up here, but the view from the natural grotto behind the falls on this little creek in the Oregon Cascades is inspiring.

[Paulo Bizarro]

Indeed it is, well done.

[francois]

Superb contrast… I also like the vibrant green moss at the base of the falls.
I like it a lot, bravo.

[Bob_B]

The cool of the grotto definitely comes through.

[Arlen]

Thanks for your feedback, guys.

[David Eckels]

I think this is truly fantastic. One little nit: The foreground does not contribute much, IMHO. I'd crop approx the bottom 1/4th.

[Mark Nadler]

I agree with David.

mark

[MattBurt]

I love that light and contrast! I think I agree about the crop but I also think it stands up well as it is.

[Eric Myrvaagnes]

I love that light and contrast! I think I agree about the crop but I also think it stands up well as it is.

Me too.

[Arlen]

Thank you, gentlemen, for the additional feedback.

David, part of what I was trying to do was to preserve some sense of that grotto behind the falls, because it was large, interesting, and a unique viewpoint. However, the waterfall was the main point of interest so I did play with a variety of crops. One of them was similar to what you are suggesting, and I had a hard time deciding between them. Attached is that alternate crop, so you folks can decide for yourselves which you prefer.

[MattBurt]

Thank you, gentlemen, for the additional feedback.

David, part of what I was trying to do was to preserve some sense of that grotto behind the falls, because it was large, interesting, and a unique viewpoint. However, the waterfall was the main point of interest so I did play with a variety of crops. One of them was similar to what you are suggesting, and I had a hard time deciding between them. Attached is that alternate crop, so you folks can decide for yourselves which you prefer.

I think that's pretty good. I agree you don't want to lose the grotto its self and this preserves it while eliminating some lower interest shadow area.
Really a nice image and I imagine the dynamic range could have been a challenge. 

[Rajan Parrikar]

Excellent. I agree with David's idea but given the unusual sensitivity some have with regards to cropping suggestions, I prefer to hold my peace :-)

[Leszek Piotrowski]

Arien,

For me I prefer the crop, just seems right.

[Arlen]

Arien,

For me I prefer the crop, just seems right.

I'm increasingly leaning that way myself. In choosing which crop version to display, I think I might have been overly influenced by I-was-there-ism. I remember the uniqueness of that grotto, which made me want to cram more of it into the picture. At the expense, it now seems, of the overall image.

[David Eckels]

Arlen, I think the new crop you chose is the right one. IMHO, an improvement, but it is up to you. A very nice image either way.

[Leszek Piotrowski]

Arien,

What I wished to express,... is that the second image felt as if I was there.

It is what made me decide.  Both are lovely.

[Arlen]

Thank you, David and Leszek, for your continued interest. I think we are all in agreement now. The tighter crop makes for a more compelling image.