C&C on waterfall photo

[Methodical]

I just began photographing waterfalls and I have a liking to the cottony, cloudy, misty type of fall shots. I just purchased the Singh-Ray Vari N duo ND filter and went to Great Falls this past weekend to experiment with the filter.

I know some do and don't like these types of waterfall photos so I'd appreciate some true honesty on my attempts at waterfalls and slow shutter speeds.

Thanks

Al

No. 1

http://methodical.zenfolio.com/img/v3/p426553215-4.jpg

No. 2

http://methodical.zenfolio.com/img/v2/p102512225-4.jpg

No. 3
http://methodical.zenfolio.com/img/v4/p325977398-4.jpg

No. 4

http://methodical.zenfolio.com/img/v4/p42721477-4.jpg

[aroundlsu]

I really like the first three. #4 seems flat and not very interesting. Also looks like you have a water drop on your lens just left of the center (or could be a flare or nothing at all).

The other three are excellent examples of long exposure photography with an ND filter. They would probably really impress non-photographer types who don't understand the technique.

[Flo]

I think there is too much softeness,when I see types of this photo, there is still some texture or contrast to the water, it looks like silk.not so cottony?

I do love the composition on the second though.

[Methodical]

I had 2 coworkers look at these photos: One stated it didn't look real as if I did not take the picture (couldn't elaborate though) and that he didn't like the soft flow of the water...he likes the water to be frozen (i.e. faster shutter), the other coworker was in aww by the shots but one thing that caught my attention was he immediately state "slow shutter speed" which made me think he knew something about photography while the other coworker has no clue about photography other than a P&S. So I made a very general observation just from those 2: those who are unaware of photography usually wants what he/she sees and those who are aware can appreciate taking what one sees and enhancing (changing) it a bit. Again, very general perception that could be all wrong. Or basically, it's just personal taste is what it all boils down to.

Thanks for the feed back

[crashthenet44]

Put me in the category of not loving the "cottony, cloudy, misty type of fall shots." #1 is just too much for me. It loses that sense of movement and power that a waterfall possesses. #2 and #3 strike a better note for me. But that's just me. To each his own.

I agree though that 1,2,3 are technically very good.

[Kafn8td]

#2 I like because I still get the feeling of movement. The other 3 don't seem to have it for me. I thing I need to try this.

[Methodical]

Here's 2 taken with a faster shutter speeds. One thing I will do is to use both slow and fast shutter speeds for the same shot for comparison purposes.

http://methodical.zenfolio.com/img/v2/p112298149-4.jpg

No. 2http://methodical.zenfolio.com/img/v0/p467532186-4.jpg

[aroundlsu]

The normal photos wouldn't get a second glance from me. They look like something anyone would take. The long exposures would make me stop and look at it much longer.

[dbdigitals]

I like number 2 as stated before, I still get the feeling of movement.. especially the lower left corner where I "feel" the water moving down and off the frame.

#3 I also like (a little less than 2) as the water converging before the fall still indicates movement to me.

Might I suggest lowering the ND filter stop in order to shorten up the shutter speeds to add a little more motion to them and reduce (not eliminate) some of the 'cottony' areas?

Just my 0.0000000002¢

P.S. I was checking out that Singh-Ray Vari N duo ND filter and in one word..... awesome
Wish I could afford one

D.

[RWeb]

Have you tried selling these photos to the likes of calender companies? I agree on the overuse of the 'cottony' effect (though I do love the softness of it, and if you come to NZ and go to the National Parks, these shots would appear magical) and I think it's the contrast of the hard rocks in the picture and the softness of the water spray. If you had like a flax tree or Ponga in the foreground, this might balance out the picture.

HOWEVER.....I love the crisp colors of #1-3

[LeuceDeuce]

I don't think the issue is whether long shutter images look good or not. The problem (as I see it) with these images is that you're trying to make the soft water the only focus of the image, and the technique isn't strong enough to make something from nothing.

The best images I've seen that use this technique are those where the water is actually a small player in the composition as a whole.

Try to find a composition that looks fantastic whether you slow the shutter or not. Then slow the shutter.

[24alpha]

I don't think the issue is whether long shutter images look good or not. The problem (as I see it) with these images is that you're trying to make the soft water the only focus of the image, and the technique isn't strong enough to make something from nothing.

The best images I've seen that use this technique are those where the water is actually a small player in the composition as a whole.

Try to find a composition that looks fantastic whether you slow the shutter or not. Then slow the shutter.
Well put LeuceDeuce! I am not a fan of your strong use of contrast either.
That aside, these are pretty good. And I am a fan of the long exposure water shots.

[ClickHappy]

Great Falls is an awesome location! I need to get back up there, it's been too long.

I really like #2, but I'm not a huge fan of the cottony water. I'd probably have "softened" the water about half as much. I was looking at the VariND web site the other day, and I'm glad to see some pics using it.

[Methodical]

Exactly. That's why I like the waterfalls with the slow shutter speed.

The normal photos wouldn't get a second glance from me. They look like something anyone would take. The long exposures would make me stop and look at it much longer.

[Flo]

I side with Chris here, there is just not enough detail to make me think it is water.it almost looks like it has been paintbrushed in.just me.but it doesn't feel like fine waterfalls.....

[Methodical]

LeuceDeuce, I get what you are saying. Here are a few more shots. Is this where you going with your comments? Bare in mind though, you can't get close to these falls.

I may not respond on timely basis as I am not receiving email notifications from the forum since the upgrade so bare with me.

Thanks for the feedback. I will definitely play with various shutter speeds next time for comparison purposes.

http://methodical.zenfolio.com/img/v4/p299708960-5.jpg

http://methodical.zenfolio.com/img/v4/p191090359-4.jpg

http://methodical.zenfolio.com/img/v3/p323545795-4.jpg

http://methodical.zenfolio.com/img/v4/p103264737-4.jpg

[job13_5]

I like the first one of this last post. I really enjoy seeing soft water (but not to the point where you can't see movement and direction of flow), contrasted with the hard edgy details of rocks and what not.

[Methodical]

Thanks everyone. I will keep all the suggestions in mind. I will revisit Great Falls pretty soon.

Again thanks

Al

[rmendis]

Very nice shots, imho. I realize that slow shutter water flow gets mixed reactions, but I think you captured some beautiful images. That filter looks amazing. Did you do any post-processing of the color? It looks almost tinted - I suppose that is the warming effect.

Do you have any comparison shots with and without the filter?

[ScottKCooper]

need to back off a little on the exposure time - it starts to look less like moving water, and more like a white layer you have erased to on the first one, which disconnects the rock on the bottom left from being a part of the image.

[Methodical]

rmendis, I did a little PP, such as contrast, sharpening, highlights, but no color correction or any thing (don't remember all though). I shot them with the WB set to cloudy to get the warmer look. And I do not have any shots without the filter.

Scottcooper, I will back off the shutter speed some the next time. I was experimenting with the new filter to see how it work. I will probably stick with a 1/2 - 5 second exposures to see where that gets me.

Thanks for the feedbacks.