Quicksilver -- time exposure shot

[Bill634]

I used a tripod and time exposure to take this extreme low light ( almost dark) shot shortly after I first bought my EOS 30D. I thought it turned out well but it hasn't gotten much response anytime I've entered it in photo contests. I'd like to hear some constructive criticism because this type of photography really appeals to me.

[thebeatnut]

Your other option could be a much longer exposure. A friend of mine took a shot in the dark of water rather like this and left it on bulb for 15 minutes. It really brought the colours out.

[luigis]

Hi Bill, this is also the kind of pictures that I love to make so nice to find a friend.
I like your picture a lot, it is a very nice long exposure shot, I like the cold temperature original more than the warmer edit.
I think that from very good to great the picture is missing either a subject like a big rock or something in the middle of the stream or to go the other extreme a more featureless background to make it more pure and smooth.
Just my 2 cents it is a high scoring picture to me.

Luigi

[griptape]

Originally Posted by luigis

I think that from very good to great the picture is missing either a subject like a big rock or something in the middle of the stream or to go the other extreme a more featureless background to make it more pure and smooth.
Luigi

I completely agree. You simply don't have a subject (or at the very least contrast against your subject so you can tell what your subject is and isn't). Water and rocks aren't very interesting. We've all seen water and rocks. I'm not trying to be harsh, but it looks like a dirty, muddy looking place that I would try to avoid stepping in rather than something I'd go out of my way to look at.

[Bill634]

I appreciate the input from all of you, thanks. This particular spot appeals to me because of the distinctive geological formations in the rock. Far from being dirty or muddy the water is absolutely crystal clear. The edit by 'LeuceDeuce' brightens the image and brings out more detail but the actual rock color is more accurate in the original. I guess that's why I wanted to shoot the scene at nightfall...to try and get that sort of surreal water quality while maintaining the deep colors in the rock. I originally entered the photo in a contest with the name 'Warlock Brook' since I was aiming for a slightly spooky feel. It definitely doesn't work for everyone. A semi-pro friend immediately 'dissed' it as too dark also. As for lack of a clear subject, I have trouble with that at times. I tend to think of it as a mini-landscape where the sum of the parts is the subject. I plan to shoot it again with my new 17-55 F2.8 lens. This was done the 17-85.

[LeuceDeuce]

Well if anything, at least editing it got people to talk about it

Since you've elected to remove your original I'll remove the edit. I guess you're done with feedback.

[Bill634]

Since you've elected to remove your original I'll remove the edit. I guess you're done with feedback.

Huh? Not at all LeuceDeuce, I didn't remove the original. It's showing up fine on my PC. I welcome your edit and anyone else's. The changes you made don't quite match what I had in mind when I shot the image but you took time to work on it and I am grateful for the input.

[LeuceDeuce]

Originally Posted by Bill634

Huh? Not at all LeuceDeuce, I didn't remove the original. It's showing up fine on my PC. I welcome your edit and anyone else's. The changes you made don't quite match what I had in mind when I shot the image but you took time to work on it and I am grateful for the input.

Yeah I just saw that. Last night I was getting the red X, and assumed you took it off your host site.