MY FIRST POST

[zip0154]

Please be brutal..... This is a shot from Crabtree Falls in VA

[SwingBopper]

Firstly you need to post a bigger picture. This one looks OOF; but that could be just due to the compression and size of the image - can't tell really. Your image size is 60k and you can and should go up to 150k with a long side of 1000 pixels or close. Secondly, I think there's too much rock in the frame on the right. I don't know your shooting conditions; but it would be nicer I think if you could have moved left and shot more water and a little less rock.

[skygod44]

This one looks OOF; but that could be just due to the compression and size of the image - can't tell really.

+1 from me on these points....

As the water is nicely blurred, I'm wondering if this was hand-held? If so, don't! To blurr water into that wonderful "dreamy, creamy soup" you need to use a long exposure time, but also need to make sure that other subjects in the frame are not blurred.

Otherwise, it looks like a picture my dad would take ie. nothing is in focus! ;)

But I do like the rocks. A little more detail in those would lift them from being a dark splodge, to an interesting balance to the trees, top left.

[zip0154]

Yes, I did this with a hand held. Thanks for the comments. You have inspired me to upgrade my equipment and take my time when taking pictures. Guess with digitals being as easy and cheap to use as they are, you can afford to point and click all day and not really take the time to really set the picture up.

[SOK]

You have inspired me to upgrade my equipment...

-1

...and take my time when taking pictures.

+1

Do more of the latter and less of the former. All the equipment in the world isn't going to help you if you just rush into it.

Next time you've got the opportunity to take a similar shot, stop your lens down a little more. This increases your Depth of Field (more will be in acceptable focus), and allows for a longer shutter-speed (which will increase the 'creamy' water effect). Of course, to avoid camera shake, a tripod (or any study support) is a must for this sort of thing.

Good luck! (Oh, and welcome to the forum).