Beautiful. And an elusive thing to catch - a well done 'landscape' abstract in my opinion. Sort of a golden egg for abstractors! We'll done Chris. I hope there are more of these coming. They are really special!
Thanks very much, Ruth! That's very kind. I thought this image showed too much identifiable stuff to post as an abstract, but I often like to simplify, and show an essence. Or something!
Although this is Victoria, you can see the tannin-stained water. Why don't I do it monochrome? Don't know myself!
When thinking of abstracts, it isn't that you can't identify the subject. Usually you can. However, (to quote myself - what ego!) the subject does not have an immediate association with its source. Instead, as a fragment of the source, it is isolated from its context, you don't use prior knowledge to evaluate the image. In this case, I don't look at this and think "waterfall". My first thoughts were of how beautiful that creamy water is and how cool the barely visible rocks are like shadows. I love the color variation in the water and the soft flow of motion. The layering of water and rocks as your eye moves through the image is masterful. It creates an impression in and of itself, regardless of the fact that it is part of a waterfall. And, since it stands alone out of context with it's reality, it can be considered an abstraction (which is defined in the dictionary as 'freedom from representation".)
I think the image would lose something if converted. Always worth a try, but this version offers so much, with the color acting as a positive element to the composition.
Meh mine are better ;) lol i often have trouble with simplifying a subject which you have done very well here. this is also an instance where i appreciate the warm tones in the shot due to the fact that you now have a gradation from cool to warm and with it dark to light. i also really like that its easy for the eye to travel not always an easy task nice shot Chris
Another wonderful, mystic image Chris. I love the subtle tones along with the barely discernible water detail
One thing sticks out for me - my eye keeps getting pulled away from the core of the image to the contrasty rock in the upper left. This is a distraction for me, but in any case, I still love the image.
Just for comparison, I have tried cropping. I can see how others may disagree but for me, I think it helps with balance and preserves the sense of mystery
Very nice capture Chris. I always like these minimalist shots of waterfalls. I wish the shutter speed wasn't that long so we could see a bit more texture in the water. Also, a bit of warping would help getting rid of the rocks in the upper right corner, which are a tad distracting to me. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks, Pablo, and thanks for your suggestions. I wondered if someone would find the rocks top right distracting! I thought that they provide some sort of visual anchor, and I don't like altering what's there too much. I've just tried it, and there IS then a feeling of something missing to me, as I'd suspected, but you & others might disagree.
It's only a 2s exposure; the water was pretty much misting down, as it looks in the image. I was after that "whiteout" look anyway, but couldn't really have avoided it.
Beautiful. And an elusive thing to catch - a well done 'landscape' abstract in my opinion. Sort of a golden egg for abstractors! We'll done Chris. I hope there are more of these coming. They are really special!
Thanks very much, Ruth! That's very kind. I thought this image showed too much identifiable stuff to post as an abstract, but I often like to simplify, and show an essence. Or something!
Although this is Victoria, you can see the tannin-stained water. Why don't I do it monochrome? Don't know myself!
(Warning - morning coffee and philosophy....)
When thinking of abstracts, it isn't that you can't identify the subject. Usually you can. However, (to quote myself - what ego!) the subject does not have an immediate association with its source. Instead, as a fragment of the source, it is isolated from its context, you don't use prior knowledge to evaluate the image. In this case, I don't look at this and think "waterfall". My first thoughts were of how beautiful that creamy water is and how cool the barely visible rocks are like shadows. I love the color variation in the water and the soft flow of motion. The layering of water and rocks as your eye moves through the image is masterful. It creates an impression in and of itself, regardless of the fact that it is part of a waterfall. And, since it stands alone out of context with it's reality, it can be considered an abstraction (which is defined in the dictionary as 'freedom from representation".)
Aw, shucks - OK. Thanks again.
I think the image would lose something if converted. Always worth a try, but this version offers so much, with the color acting as a positive element to the composition.
Meh mine are better ;) lol i often have trouble with simplifying a subject which you have done very well here. this is also an instance where i appreciate the warm tones in the shot due to the fact that you now have a gradation from cool to warm and with it dark to light. i also really like that its easy for the eye to travel not always an easy task nice shot Chris
Thanks, Joseph! Yes, simplification of natures's complexity - messiness, in fact - is one of the hardest things in making decent images of it.
Another wonderful, mystic image Chris. I love the subtle tones along with the barely discernible water detail
One thing sticks out for me - my eye keeps getting pulled away from the core of the image to the contrasty rock in the upper left. This is a distraction for me, but in any case, I still love the image.
Just for comparison, I have tried cropping. I can see how others may disagree but for me, I think it helps with balance and preserves the sense of mystery
Thanks, Alan, as ever. Ah, that rock... for me it's the cornerstone (!), the lead-in to the image. Between you & Pablo, I wouldn't have much left! ;-)
I don't know if you intended to post your crop, but I can't see it, and would be interested to.
Very nice capture Chris. I always like these minimalist shots of waterfalls. I wish the shutter speed wasn't that long so we could see a bit more texture in the water. Also, a bit of warping would help getting rid of the rocks in the upper right corner, which are a tad distracting to me. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks, Pablo, and thanks for your suggestions. I wondered if someone would find the rocks top right distracting! I thought that they provide some sort of visual anchor, and I don't like altering what's there too much. I've just tried it, and there IS then a feeling of something missing to me, as I'd suspected, but you & others might disagree.
It's only a 2s exposure; the water was pretty much misting down, as it looks in the image. I was after that "whiteout" look anyway, but couldn't really have avoided it.