Slide Rock Narrows Morning Light

Shot this at the narrows portion downstream of Slide Rock State Park near Sedona during early morning light. 30-second exposure taken with 5D2, 24-105L and Singh-Ray Vari-N-Duo filter.

Wow, beautiful shot!

I like the top portion, but the water is so extremely harsh my eye gets drawn there and the niceness of the top portion is lost.

spurious wrote in post #8143100
I like the top portion, but the water is so extremely harsh my eye gets drawn there and the niceness of the top portion is lost.

Not sure what you mean by "extremely harsh"? Too bright? Too busy? Too flat? The only PP done to the RAW file was a capture sharpen, levels adjust, and a re-size (never touched saturation or color levels). I tried to set it up whereby the eye is drawn into the water, along the cliff base, and then down the creek to the narrows. Can you be a little more specific? Maybe then I can make a tweak if necessary. Thanks.

I really like the detail of the rocks and vegetation of the top part of the image and the blur of the reflection in the water while maintaining the colors. Not your typical "mirror" image you see so often.

shack wrote in post #8143150
I really like the detail of the rocks and vegetation of the top part of the image and the blur of the reflection in the water while maintaining the colors. Not your typical "mirror" image you see so often.

Thanks. I was actually trying to get the "glass" effect on the water, but there was enough of a breeze coming down the canyon where 8-stops of ND and a warming polarizer with 30-second exposure just couldn't smooth out the water any more than it did. I took about six shots, with 30-sec being the longest. First time using the Vari-N-Duo filter for any length of time...the warming polarizer does produce a different effect (added richness) than a standard polarizer, which could account for what appears to be extra brightness on the water. But this is basically how the scene looked at 6am.

argyle wrote in post #8143137
Not sure what you mean by "extremely harsh"? Too bright? Too busy? Too flat? The only PP done to the RAW file was a capture sharpen, levels adjust, and a re-size (never touched saturation or color levels). I tried to set it up whereby the eye is drawn into the water, along the cliff base, and then down the creek to the narrows. Can you be a little more specific? Maybe then I can make a tweak if necessary. Thanks.

The problem I'm having with the water is if it appears to have a motion blur applied to it. I understand that this is just a consequence of the photographic style (done in camera with long exposure), however the fact remains that the reflections all appear to be pulled down, this creates visual noise and directs the eye downwards. It's also in such harsh contrast to the crisp clean top portion it makes for a somewhat unpleasant viewing experience. The same water and effect framed to only take 1/3 or 1/4 of the photo would be preferable.

spurious wrote in post #8143215
The problem I'm having with the water is if it appears to have a motion blur applied to it. I understand that this is just a consequence of the photographic style (done in camera with long exposure), however the fact remains that the reflections all appear to be pulled down, this creates visual noise and directs the eye downwards. It's also in such harsh contrast to the crisp clean top portion it makes for a somewhat unpleasant viewing experience. The same water and effect framed to only take 1/3 or 1/4 of the photo would be preferable.

Thanks. Maybe I'll play with a crop line that falls just below the small rock that's in the water, and the bit of green that's just below it. Appreciate the feedback. With the larger 5D2 files, cropping shouldn't be a problem. Anyway, here's the crop...

The aspects spurious finds objectionable are the very things I find pleasing and unique in this image.

Different strokes....

shack wrote in post #8143261
The aspects spurious finds objectionable are the very things I find pleasing and unique in this image.

Different strokes....

You're exactly right...maybe I should take a poll.

like the 2nd crop better - great place to shoot went there earlier this spring was disappointed that the gates were closed until 8am - would have like to get in much earlier to set up a long exposure without too much sun

argyle wrote in post #8143286
You're exactly right...maybe I should take a poll.

Unless you are trying to sell it...the only thing that matters is what YOU like.

Marcy wrote in post #8143461
like the 2nd crop better - great place to shoot went there earlier this spring was disappointed that the gates were closed until 8am - would have like to get in much earlier to set up a long exposure without too much sun

Really? We just parked the truck on the main road, walked about a 1/2-mile or so, then climbed down just at the edge of the bridge (at least for Slide Rock). To shoot the narrows, we crossed the street, climbed down a steep embankment, then down a trail to the creek. Never met a gate... It gets light early in Sedona, and we were shooting by 5:30am up until about 7:30am. After that, the sun gets too high above the cliffs to get any reflections. Lots of shooting opportunities in the area...

shack wrote in post #8143475
Unless you are trying to sell it...the only thing that matters is what YOU like.

Actually, a potential business client has expressed interest in my putting together a Southwest US calendar for them to hand out at trade shows, so I have that to consider. Considering just how many trade shows that this client attends, it could add up to several thousand calendars. And TBH, I'm starting to prefer the cropped version myself.

I prefer the first version....something not quite right with the crop. I think it is the small amount of water under the rocks at the right edge...perhaps if the shot were cropped right to the waterline.