First Ever Waterfall Picture

[seahawks7757]

Any feedback on this one guys? For being my first time I am pretty happy with it for the most part. Would like to do some more scenic shooting instead of just airplanes all the time.
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6009/5981080044_1acfc9e3e1_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/seahawks7757/5981080044/)
The Waterfalls! (http://www.flickr.com/photos/seahawks7757/5981080044/) by seahawks7757 (http://www.flickr.com/people/seahawks7757/)

[steve1840]

Brandon, that shot is awesome! Great job!!

[lijk604]

Brandon, for a first effort, it's a great shot. A few comments if you are up for them...

In your shot the water (and picture overall) has a slight blueish tint to it. Is that bad? No, not if that is what you were going for. Some folks out there like waterfall shots to be a bit warmer and playing around with the white balance in PS/LR will give you different looks. Only you can decide when you have the result you like.

The other area of the photo in which people might pick at it, are the shadow areas of the photo. You have a few shadow areas that are very dark and although you can see some detail, there are some areas that are so dark that the detail is lost. Again, it's all to your taste.

About the only thing I might want to do is selectively bump up the saturation to bring out the moss on the rocks. It's a great element to the photo which if just highlighted a bit more would create some more interest.

The big question I have is... Are you happy with the picture? That is what matters the most. Non-aviation shots are very subjective, you will get either love it or hate it depending on who is the one looking at it. Just remember, if you are happy with it, then that it was matters...unless you are shooting for a paying client ;) Glad to see you want to branch out, shooting other topics will only enhance your skills.

[megatop412]

Man that water just looks sick! Nice job! If you were able to take that same shot when the sun was hitting those falls head on and lighting up those rocks, that would look crazy

[seahawks7757]

Thank you guys, lijk604 I will try some of those suggestions.

I was at this place literally before the sun was up, here is another one-
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6001/5981753373_3654ecb5d5_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/seahawks7757/5981753373/)
A morning sunrise! (http://www.flickr.com/photos/seahawks7757/5981753373/) by seahawks7757 (http://www.flickr.com/people/seahawks7757/)

[lijk604]

Brandon....check your PM's. - John

[heeshung]

Hey, Brandon, I hope you don't mind, but I gave your 2nd shot a personal spin in Photoshop.

I used the above photograph, and didn't realize that you had a larger version on your Flickr until afterwards. Of course, if you want me to remove it, I will do so immediately.

http://horriblephotography.com/albums/Misc/brandonwaterfall.jpg

[seahawks7757]

That looks even nicer, what did you do to it to help highlight the water more?

[heeshung]

I just played with the levels and the curves a bit, then put it through the HDR toner and gave it the final look.