Waterfall Critique

[Axemaniac88]

Hi guys, these are some of the first shots I've taken on my D3100, and while I'm still learning some of the basic techniques of photography I'm open to some feedback and possible improvements. Thanks for having a look.

 

[theregsy]

Personally I think they are spot on, they look well composed, well lit and well balanced, I especially like the 3rd one.

 

[eurotrash]

I'll have to agree. Not much to do here but print them huge and hang 'em up! Composition, colour balance and exposure seems spot on, sharpness is great, they look just a liiiittle bit on the cool side temperature wise, but that might be the look you were going for.

 

[nikonpup]

to much contrast for me, water is to bright. I like the water fall in the third shot, the water in the first 2 looks frozen not flowing.

 

[Johnathan Aulabaugh]

I am going to agree with Ron, the water is way blown out on both the top shots and even the third shot is blown out at the base of the falls.

 

[BackdoorArts]

Add me to the water being a little funky in the first two. Like the white balance got pushed too blue in each, but just on the water. I prefer the pure white of the third.

 

[BackdoorArts]

BTW, your photos appear but then disappear as soon as I click to reply. This isn't happening on other threads. Not sure if it's your hosting service (if they're not uploaded directly) or something weird with the site.

 

[Axemaniac88]

Hi guys thanks for the comments on these shots. As far as I know, the pics are just hosted by this site with simple tags from my gallery page!

I originally had these shots with a more white....white balance but i thought they lacked life and vibrancy and ironically the blue brought a bit more contrast from the shadows - figure that one out lol!

As for the comments regarding the flow of water,I shall take that into account when I visit the waterfall again. There does appear to be a lack of movement in the first two shots. In terms of composition, can anyone point out if they would do it differently, and how they would go about it? Composition is still something I don't take enough time on. Thanks again!

 

[karon]

Love all the shots especially the last one.

 

[nikonpup]

3rd shot: More foreground water - get low - less of the veggies above the rocks. Comp on the first 2 look ok to me.

 

[WhiteLight]

I originally had these shots with a more white....white balance but i thought they lacked life and vibrancy and ironically the blue brought a bit more contrast from the shadows - figure that one out lol!

Yes, that always happens.
To keep that contrast and still maintain the contrast levels, you may want to tone down the blues & violets in post processing

 

[crycocyon]

The waterfall is saturated so exposure was a bit too long. I would shoot it tighter. Also, look for elements in the composition that naturally lead down the waterfall into the water and then to the rocks in the foreground. The big rock on the lower right is distracting from that flow and grabs too much attention.

I like this photo because it does what it is supposed to do, lead the eye down the waterfall then to the right down the river. It is tight and the elements in the composition are well ordered. Again, though, watch out for saturation in the water.

In the third photo there is no dominant center of attention and it is a small fall at any rate. The path line going across the top of the image is also distracting and breaks attention from the lower 2/3 of the frame. The straightness of the path line is disruptive because it isn't a natural element. Also notice how when the exposure is slightly brighter, the greens are washed out a bit, and flatter. When you underexpose, the greens are a deeper more natural color (that is to say underexposed with respect to the green, not with respect to the water).

Thanks for sharing!

 

[jwstl]

I'm curious; did you try any verticals? I'd like to see a vertical with a little less green. As for the blue tint to the water, I like it. If you consider it a fine art photo then I don't believe a landscape has to look exactly as you see it. It's art so you make it look how you want it to look. Now if your goal is to be a documentarian then I'd change it.

 

[fotojack]

As much as I like the comp, I find that you used a little too much sharpening. Nice shots, don't get me wrong! But as the others have said, a slight tweaking of tone and contrast would work wonders. Nice job.

 

[Axemaniac88]

Thanks for the feedback, ill get the RAW file and have another go with it!

 

[Hminx]

Of this set I like the composition of the second shot best, the rocks make nice foreground elements. Things I think need attention are, cropping a little off right as the bank is not that interesting and doesn't add to the shot. This would move the waterfall nearer to the left hand third line.
The top of the water fall IMO is a little too close to the top of the frame. This might make getting the image proportions right a bit tricky, possibly try a portrait crop. Also as mentioned the water is a bit blown out with a purple tinge. It might be my screen but it could be a tad over sharpened as well.
Should you go back for a reshoot, see if you can clear away some of that deadwood at the top of the falls, its not helping the image. I'm not one of life's great communicators so I hope this stuff makes some sort of sense.