This is an image I shot a couple of years ago. I had actually traveled to shoot another location (waterfall) but wanted to take the opportunity to scout the area.
The weather/light was pretty abysmal but as storm clouds started to pass I was able to catch this image. It was still drizzling at the time but I just had to catch the mood.
I'd love to understand what works for you in this image, what doesn't and especially if it evokes any feeling.
As always any sincere comments, whether positive or negative, will be treated as gifts, and suggestions for possible improvement are welcomed.
What works for me is the water over the dam, the sky, and the first tree. Everything else is superfluous. I think a crop to almost square would work with a little editing of the tones to reduce the harsh contrast between the whites of the water and the blacks of the tree silhouette.
Thanks Phillip. I see your intent here and appreciate the input
I feel the image needs a wider aspect to better tell the story and provide balance. For me the waterfall and tree are not the subjects of this particular scene in itself but are strong supporting elements.
I need to keep the left side elements in the frame (ie dark clouds, trees) to better balance the visual weight of the trees on the right (although these may be able to be cropped a little), and want to keep the stormy clouds to better support the mood.
I think your crops is interesting and does highlight the tree and waterfall more, but I feel that changes the story somewhat.
I'd like to hear what others feel as I fully understand how my experiences at that time may be adding a personal and emotional element to the composition.
The linear shape of the falls is definitely an eye catcher. Is this why it's in B&W? We're the colors too distracting from geometric shapes predominantly on the left side?
Thanks Chris. I believe converting to B&W may have given me more control to create the image I had visualized, but now you have mentioned color I may go back and look at that as a further option.
With it raining at the time I would expect the colors to be pretty bland, but that may help promote the mood/emotion I am after. Thanks for the suggestion!
I really like this one as is, Alan. It possesses the balance I generally like in landscape imagery, colour or not, of some visual richness - of subtle tones, varied textures and so on, to feast my eyes upon, and to continue the gastronomic analogy, move from course to course. These include that beautiful sweep of the falling water, the foreground ripples, the shrubs, the concrete structure, the soft sky, the trees, the mysterious-looking dark water at bottom right, and so on, until I am replete. Nothing in this image doesn't "work" for me.
I like Phillip's edit and the "why", but what he finds superfluous, I don't. I enjoy those elements, as part of the "feast".
Very simple, "minimalist" images can be wonderful, too.
Thanks for the detailed analysis Chris, I think for the most part we tend to think alike
I've had the same thought, Alan. :-)
This image as B&W is quite controversial and interesting Alan, as a mix of human and nature presence. I would not touch anything here, although the whole scene is not something worth to visit it again in terms of exceptional beauty.
I'd visit it again! Love that juxtaposition, and that wall of water. :-)