Krishnandu Sarkar
January 2021 - Nohkalikhai Falls
About the Image(s)
This is the same falls as my Dec 2020 entry. As I mentioned on my Dec 2020 entry due to fog and mist it's hard to get a glimpse of Nohkalikhai waterfall throughout the year.
However, with several failed attempts, this time too, I was feeling down as when I reached the spot, the waterfall was completely covered with clouds with no visibility.
Even though after waiting for 30 mins or so, I couldn't see any ray of hope. I was sure of packing my bag and returning back, however, a senior friend of mine (whom I consider as my mentor) suggested me to stay for a while and have a cup of coffee to warm ourselves up.
Suddenly we could feel a strong cold breeze and as a result, soon the fog started to move around. It was around 5 PM around that time and the sunset has already been started.
Due to the fog around, suddenly a ray of light was directed towards the falls which made our day. It was a historic moment for anyone who was present there. Thus I named this image of mine as "Nohkalikai Limelight". May be I could have named it "Ray of Hope" as I was lacking that for sure!
The scene was hardly there for a minute and I didn't waste my time to document this moment which I can cherish forever. Well, I can't thank my friend of mine enough to make me stay back to experience this.
Lesson Learnt: Well, calm down, hold your breath and don't rush through it. I wouldn't have gained anything by returning back early anyway. However, staying for a while gave me a life's moment which I'll cherish forever.
This was shot at f/2.8, 5s, ISO 100 @ 24mm with Nikon D750 + 17-35mm f/2.8D.
8 comments posted
The falls is impressive but the sunbeam overpowers the falls because it is the brightest part of the scene. Thus I offer several suggestions.
To keep the eye on the stars of the scene, the light beam and the falls, I would clone out the yellow spot at the bottom so as not to lose the vegetation on the bottom edge that is needed to enclose the frame, then I would crop the bright area from the top of the frame. I do not feel the little bit of sky adds to the composition. I would also crap just a bit from the left to let the sunbeam slash into the scene from the corner and and thus hit the left fixation points better. Like Michael suggested it would have been better to shoot at a higher aperture to sharpen up the image. Since that was not done I added clarity and texture to add some punch to the landscape. Then I dimmed the intensity of the sunbeam so that the falls became more of the star and not a secondary visual element.
There is nothing wrong with your grand image, it depends on how you want to show the scene. Exactly what is your intent. The sunbeam or the falls, or something entirely different. The image can stand as it is. My suggestions are just that, mine. As the maker, your decision is all that matters.
I've attached by crop for demo purposes only. Posted: 01/02/2021 14:55:43
As I mentioned on Michael's comments - "I'd have also liked to shoot at a higher f-number, however, I was trying something else and suddenly this light appeared out of nowhere and lasted for like 10 sec. Thus I just didn't want to fiddle with my settings and just get the shot whatever it is out of excitement. This is another learning for me that I need to control my excitement on spot and calm down and make the best out of any situation."
I really loved what you have done to the image and thanks a lot for explaining each and every step you have taken. This has definitely encouraged me to sit again with the image and follow your process and of Richard's. Thanks a lot again :) Posted: 01/15/2021 22:55:46