Bob Wills  

Garden Waterfall by Bob Wills

April 2026 - Garden Waterfall

About the Image(s)

I took this image with my phone while taking a Seattle Japanese Garden tour last spring. I was still using a walker to get around, it was still wintery, and the paths were hit and miss. I still had a good time, but I took a lot more bad than good shots.
I liked the comparison between the man-made building and the natural waterfalls. I probably needed a third element, but there wasn't one. These gardens are really packed in the fall when the color is spectacular, but this is a calming image for me. Processed in LR and PS. I added some masks to the building, falls, rocks and trees. Mostly adjusted some color and exposure trying to add some depth. That will be what I want to know, whether it is too flat, and if I captured interest with the two elements.

Samsung S24 jpeg.

6 comments posted

Kathy Buckard   Kathy Buckard
Bob - made a few adjustments to your image. Removed top section of the towers so it didn't extend out of the frame. Tower leaning to the right, skewed to the left. Toned down the water at the lower part of the falls, and cloned in texture on hot spot at bottom. Nicely balanced image. All colors very natural. I don't think you need a third element. Very tranquil image.
  Posted: 04/01/2026 14:05:15
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Bob Wills   Bob Wills
Thanks, Kathy. I had thought about what to do with the top of the tower, but I concentrated more on keeping the balance and making the falls the subject. I like what you did to the roof, although it might be an obvious edit to a familiar subject in Western Washington.
You have quite an eye to see any tilt and skew in the tower. Beyond my abilities, I'm afraid. I didn't think another element would be needed, but it is good of you to respond.
  Posted: 04/08/2026 20:46:22
Karen Harris   Karen Harris
Beautiful image. I have been to these gardens, and it is a beautiful place. It would have been nice to have included the top of the pagoda. Also the leaves in the center seem a bit blown out.   Posted: 04/08/2026 16:46:49
Bob Wills   Bob Wills
Thanks, Karen. I should probably have included the original, but I didn't. I'll include it here. My focus was the falls, and my composition was composed from them. The top of the pagoda was hidden by the dead branches so I never consider them in the frame. I need to learn my DJI Osmo stick to improve my cell photos. There was sun on the center leaves, but I can't see any green channel blow out. Maybe in another channel, as not all colors are RGB. Thanks for the encouragement.   Posted: 04/08/2026 20:59:53
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Elaine Miller   Elaine Miller
I prefer the original. The green seems more natural and there is no color cast in the water or on the pagoda. It would be nice to see the top of the pagoda, but if that was not possible I like that you cloned in some green leaves over the brown.   Posted: 04/18/2026 15:18:26
Bob Wills   Bob Wills
Thanks, Elaine. I did take some pagoda images but the top isn't in them either. I am now thinking I just didn't get a good shot. The water reflects the green in the park, so that is natural. Maybe I should retitle this to something else, or crop lower.   Posted: 04/18/2026 17:54:53
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