Canon 5D Mark 4 with 24 - 105 lens at 105mm. I used a variable neutral density filter to obtain a long exposure time of 3 sec on a tripod. Aperture priority at f/14 for sharpness, and ISO 100.
I wanted to capture the silky appearance of water as it cascaded over the dam and then flowed between the rocks in Swift Creek.
I made the following edits in Lightroom Classic:
Auto adjust in the Basic panel. This did a good job of correcting the blue tint caused by the neutral density filter. It made the image much warmer.
Decreased the highlights and increased the shadows.
Increased the whites and decreased the blacks.
Slight increase in vibrance.
Cropped to tighten in on the flowing water.
Added a stroke border in Photoshop.
I look forward to your comments and upgrades, I find them very helpful.
This round’s discussion is now closed! 6 comments posted
Kirsti Näntö-Salonen
(Groups 26 & 47 & 54)
Hi Billy! A fine image! I think that you have done a great job with the filter, the water looks so silky smooth. I have been trying to learn to use the ND filter myself, I'll copy your settings next time. I like the composition, too! The little bush draws the eye to the center of the image. You might think about removing the little twigs at the bottom edge and on the right side of the rock in the middle, and maybe also the little bright rock in the lower left corner? Posted: 05/11/2021 14:48:00
Hi Kristi,
many thanks for your comments. I had not spotted the distractions. I removed them and I agree it makes the image better.
Regards
Billy Posted: 05/19/2021 08:51:32
Joan Field
(Groups 3 & 18)
Billy, This is an interesting combination of a man-made waterfall and the continuation of the water down below. Three seconds seems to work well to give you the soft water swirling over the falls and among the rocks below. I like the little tree, well placed, and it breaks up the image giving us a center of interest. I don't know if you can do it in Lightroom, but is there any way to lighten the falls by themselves, taking away the brownish cast in Lightroom? It may be that there is a lot of tannic acid in the water causing the color. Good place to try our your neutral density filter. Posted: 05/24/2021 17:42:59
Linda Mui
(Group 9)
Hi Billy, The ND filter worked really nicely. I love the smoothness of the fall. I like the image with or without the twigs. However, without the twigs, it gives more calmness to the image. Good job in editing as well. Posted: 05/25/2021 17:41:55
Hi Billy,
Your crop was just right for the image. The color adjustment was just right. Posted: 05/26/2021 13:03:02
Rick Finney
Billy: I think you accomplished what do decided to do. The results are quite nice. Posted: 05/30/2021 18:34:14
