First attempt slow shutter

[MLeite]

This was my first attempt using a slow shutter speed. (I wish I had a nd filter so I could use a longer exposure...) The picture was taken in Yosemite valley few weeks ago. I'd appreciate your thoughts on composition, parameters and what I should do to improve. Thank you.
EXIF:
ISO: 200
Focal Length: 75mm
Aperture: f/32
Shutter Speed: 0.4s
No flash
Yosemite fall | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

[AndrewPDX]

You're right, a nd filter might have helped those whites from clipping with your longer exposure. I think the bottom half of the photo is the more interesting area of the shot. The blacks, browns, greys, blues, and whites all compliment each other in that area, and there's a lot more action in the water. Try cropping out the top half of the photo- I don't think you'll miss it.

[dcclark]

Well, I love the motion in the shot. You're right about the ND -- it would also have helped you avoid f/32, which almost certainly robbed you of some sharpness. I would crop only a little off of the top -- I personally like the pines and the logs, but the motion in the foreground is more interesting.

[dlambert]

Very nice, though a little less clipping on the highlights would have been even better. Did you try to recover any highlights in post-processing?

[MLeite]

Thank you for your great suggestions. I really appreciate it.

Andrew/DavidC- I've cropped the top as suggested. Thanks, I think it looks better!
DavidL- I did not try to recover the highlights, however, as a beginner, I think my pp work needs a lot of improvement. I try improving it in this new version.
Which ND filter would you recommend for this kind of shot? (brand, density)

Mauro
DSC_0058 - Version 2 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

[dcclark]

Originally Posted by MLeite

Which ND filter would you recommend for this kind of shot? (brand, density)

I generally like a 2x or 3x (2 or 3 stop) ND filter. They are generally useful. Brandwise, there are many, but Hoya, B+W, and Tiffen are among the best.

[MLeite]

Thanks David and congrats on your 365 project.
Mauro

[EOBeav]

I'm going to disagree about needing an ND filter for this shot. All that is going to do is lengthen your shutter speed, and 0.4 seconds should be long enough to get the flowing effect you're after. If you shot at 100 ISO, that should prevent you from using such a small aperture.

Instead, try adjusting your EV down to about -2/3 or so to get what you're after. You'll lose some of the brighter, almost blown areas. The only kind of filter that would help you in this shot is a polarizer, which would help you remove some of the reflections.

Here's a snowy river shot that I did earlier this winter that shows what I'm talking about.


Winter on the North Fork by Rick Scheibner, on Flickr