Starvation Creek

[EOBeav]

Hi everybody, I wanted your thoughts on this HDR image:

1. Does the overall processing work? I already see a few blown highlights.
2. Does the composition work, with the large mossy stone in the foreground?
3. Any other words of wisdom you might have.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts/suggestions/questions. You can see a larger version here.

If you're interested, this little creek is located in Oregon's Columbia River Gorge, at about milepost 55 on I-84, easily within walking distance of the parking area there.



No EXIF data, as it was combined with 3 shots at -2, 0, and +2 EV.

[Krusty79]

That's a beautiful shot Rick! I love the subtle HDR. I'm thinking no one has offered a critique because it's such a great shot! I do see a little blown out area in the right side of the water, but nothing that bad. I've never heard of anyone having to shoot +3/-3 to capture the entire range of the image. That rock in the foreground works well and also matches the color of the background.

Did you use a ND filter or polarizer?

[EOBeav]

Thanks Krusty. I used a CP filter, actually, and at -2, 0, +2. I could have probably even done a +3 or even +4 to get more detail in the rock shadows. I was doing some experimenting in Photomatix and was able to achieve this effect. Also, I had just got my filter earlier that morning, so I'd probably adjust it a little differently if I shot that creek under the same conditions. As it is, it was pretty dark out, in between rain showers, and on the shady side of the gorge.

[sk66]

Nice shot.
IMO, the vibrance of the red/greens is a bit much and the large rock in the foreground tends to "anchor" the eyes preventing appreciation of the rest of the image.
I'd desaturate/lower vibrance some and crop the foreground..

[EOBeav]

Points well taken, sk66. I kept going back and forth wondering whether or not the comp would work with the rock all the way up there. Also, the hdr work was probably a little over the top, but I really liked how the leaves make themselves known throughout the image. Believe it or not, I did desaturate those colors before posting. :-) Thanks for adding your thoughts.

[DivotMaker]

Nice shot.

FWIW.

There are quite a few things going on, and my eye darts around and keeps coming back to the rock. (But doesn't rest there)

I scrolled the image up, until the leaf in the middle of the waterfall is just off the top of the page. I really like what the crop does.

IMO, this crop seem to bring more focus to the rock...with a beautiful accent of the background.

I also like how it evens the brightness of the HDR leaves....

Nice job on the water flow and the colors, that wasn't easy.

Just my 2c's