Mt Spokane River C&C Welcome

Sachphotography · Dec 10, 2009

These four shots were taken on Mt Spokane. The river runs down the mountain and due to the fact it is snow run-off, it is pretty clean water.
C&C Welcome!!!

These have a light orton effect. I know some people dont like it but its all good. 2 and 3 are my favs.

Pugs · Dec 10, 2009

I was going to ask about the Orton effect. I really like number one, but the Orton effect hurts my eye and makes it difficult for me to look at a photo that has it applied. Otherwise, I think that number one is such a strong image!

Shockey · Dec 10, 2009

Composition on all these is not ideal, looks like a very pretty river.
Last couple are tilted.
Crop 1/3 off the bottom and 2 is the best photo.

Sachphotography · Dec 10, 2009

Shockey said:
Composition on all these is not ideal, looks like a very pretty river.
Last couple are tilted.
Crop 1/3 off the bottom and 2 is the best photo.

How could the composition be better?

Nikkor · Dec 10, 2009

I love moving water. The blur is awesome. I'm not a huge fan of Orton, but you didn't overdo it at all.

Shockey · Dec 10, 2009

1 the forground is distracting the background is blown out, the best composition would have been the middle third of the photo just above the center line.

3 is tilted to the right. The foreground is cluttered on this one. crop from the right as is. If you get a chance to reshoot take it closer to the first water fall or use a very wide angle and make that square rock sticking out of the water in front of the first waterfall you foreground element and the focus of the photo.

4 is tilted to the right. Foreground element is distracting. No detail in the background behind the waterfall. Something funky going in mid frame on the left maybe a half done clone job or ? on a branch. If you can reshoot take from a lower angle closer to the waterfall crop tight above to take out the dark background, focus on the water fall and just below.

If you want to use a foreground element it has to be in focus and needs to stand on its own, can't be cut in half or be poorly composed. Try using a higher f-stop try not to go much over f-14 or things can get blurry in a hurry.

Sachphotography · Dec 11, 2009

Yeah I think you are right on with most of what you said. I like 2 and 3. Truth be told, this creek is tough to shoot. It is about 3 feet off the road and it is hard not to get the road in the shot. These were more for learning I would say. The 4th shot is actually much sharper than I shot it. Whenever I get around to it. I will upload the raw file. Most of these required a few dif layers. About three for each.
1 for the water in the creek, 1 for the falls area of each creek and one for the foliage areas.

Thanks for the tips. I will show the raws when I find them.

Oh.. and it will be a long time till i can reshoot. The creek is a block of ice now...... -10 will do that!!!!

Shockey · Dec 11, 2009

Yeah it is a process. Check out Naturescapes.com to really see what the best photographers are turning out for landscapes. Looking at their photos is a great way to learn.
I can relate, I was raised in Cd'A so know what the winters are like up there.
I am in Boise now and it is not much warmer.....

HikinMike · Dec 11, 2009

It looks like a nice place to shoot. Composition-wise, I'm not sure I like them, but I'm sure it was a tough shoot.....without getting wet!

Sachphotography · Dec 11, 2009

Shockey said:
Yeah it is a process. Check out Naturescapes.com to really see what the best photographers are turning out for landscapes. Looking at their photos is a great way to learn.
I can relate, I was raised in Cd'A so know what the winters are like up there.
I am in Boise now and it is not much warmer.....

Are you a Boise Fan? Boomer Sooners .....Boomer Sonners.... LOL.... Good luck at the Feista Bowl!!!!!!
I think it is Naturescapes.net not .com
the .com site is a weird zenergy site????/ LOL

HikinMike said:
It looks like a nice place to shoot. Composition-wise, I'm not sure I like them, but I'm sure it was a tough shoot.....without getting wet!

It's all good. Like I said. it was more for a learning experience. I have learend a lot this year and hope things will continue to get better. And um..... I did get wet.... LOL