Brad Becker
January 2025 - What Goes Up...
Original
Original 2
Original 3
About the Image(s)
This image comes from a trip to Iceland a few years ago. As with many pictures I share it was not previsualized but organically derived. The image of the geyser was my starting point. I enlarged one person and removed the others to simplify the idea of observation. After trials and error I settled on an up and down theme. I've always liked images that create some tension when the perspectives are a bit off. Adding the waterfalls with small people below created the right amount of tension for how I was taking the image. I mostly made it a black and white image but left a little color in the people at the bottom as I felt it gave a little visual tweak once the people at the bottom are noted.
11 comments posted
Black and white works well in this image because there are strong, distracting colors in Originals 1 and 2. The rugged wall over which the water falls adds strength to the bottom 60% of the image. The man at the top of the waterfall is a stronger image than the people at the bottom of the waterfall, and I believe is the only person necessary here as the people at the bottom are too small to add anything. Your fascination with water continues to result in enjoyable images. Posted: 01/01/2025 15:26:20
Alan, Thanks for your feedback. The small people were accidental and I kind of liked the surreal quality of disproportion. I emphasized their placement by leaving them colorized. I can certainly see your point for a simpler image. Posted: 01/17/2025 23:34:03
Hi Brad! I enjoy so much the two-level incongruous world you created - I wonder if the tiny figures at the bottom belong to the "hidden people" of Icelandic mythology. - I wonder if placing the geysir more exactly at the starting point of the major waterfall (by flipping the waterfall horizontally?) might make the effect even stronger, and I think that I would love to see the top of the burst of water from the geysir.
Posted: 01/06/2025 17:03:58
Posted: 01/06/2025 17:03:58
Kirsti, I'm not familiar the Icelandic mythology but will look into it. I agree the placement of the waterfall could be tweaked. As I'm sure you've experienced some images go through so many iterations one finally settles on a version that works. There are always many tweaks available and I will explore your suggestion. Posted: 01/17/2025 23:36:08
Hi Brad, What a terrific concept! The up and down elements of the water really give the viewer a lot to consider as we've all scene one side or another.
As others suggested, the people sizing could be adjusted, but they do add a sense of realism that I appreciate. My favorite part of the image is the depth that you added as you processed the lower cavern and how you 'fixed' the sky on the top to create such grandiosity. Posted: 01/09/2025 17:50:32
As others suggested, the people sizing could be adjusted, but they do add a sense of realism that I appreciate. My favorite part of the image is the depth that you added as you processed the lower cavern and how you 'fixed' the sky on the top to create such grandiosity. Posted: 01/09/2025 17:50:32
Matt, Thanks for your comments. I did tweak the upper guys size and left the lower people small intentionally. I did enjoy creating a subterranean space for the bottom of the waterfall and appreciate you noticing the efforts I did to remove the distracting imbalanced clouds. Posted: 01/17/2025 23:38:08
I'm really enjoying this image, Brad. It reminds me of looking at an M C Escher drawing, thinking I'm following along until I realize it's morphed into something else entirely. Your crop makes this even better, because I want to zoom in to see the details of one part and so have to scroll to get to the part that makes my mind boggle.
I love how the clouds and the geyser have the same texture, and how the clouds on the right seem to be feeding into the geyser.
I think all of the water here has beautiful texture.
I'm glad you left the color on the tiny people, because they could be easy to overlook otherwise.
Well done, Brad! Posted: 01/12/2025 18:23:38
I love how the clouds and the geyser have the same texture, and how the clouds on the right seem to be feeding into the geyser.
I think all of the water here has beautiful texture.
I'm glad you left the color on the tiny people, because they could be easy to overlook otherwise.
Well done, Brad! Posted: 01/12/2025 18:23:38
Peggy, Thanks, I've been a huge fan of Escher and do believe his believable/unbelievable perspectives influenced this image. Posted: 01/17/2025 23:39:11
Works for me Brad ! 10/10 composite.cheers. Posted: 01/13/2025 17:18:56
Thanks Bruce, I'll take a 10/10! Posted: 01/17/2025 23:39:33
Hi Brad,
I really like how you've blended the fast, frozen images with the slow, long exposures that create a smooth, milky texture in the water. You've integrated all the water elements so seamlessly. Turning everything to black and white works wonderfully, bringing the entire image together.
I'm not sure if the people at the bottom are necessary to tell your story. I feel the main point of focus is the figure at the top, which acts as the central point of union and balance for the top-down elements.
Great work overall! Posted: 01/20/2025 11:14:56
I really like how you've blended the fast, frozen images with the slow, long exposures that create a smooth, milky texture in the water. You've integrated all the water elements so seamlessly. Turning everything to black and white works wonderfully, bringing the entire image together.
I'm not sure if the people at the bottom are necessary to tell your story. I feel the main point of focus is the figure at the top, which acts as the central point of union and balance for the top-down elements.
Great work overall! Posted: 01/20/2025 11:14:56