Falls of Gold (Fine Art?)

[Rebel]

I wanted to reprocess a shot I'd taken awhile back... I set out to do a very low-key monochrome image.

I ended up with this, any thoughts?

EDIT: I've updated the image after doing a bit more work on it.

[Shadowman]

Nicely done.

[FootLoose]

Interesting tonal work, Matt

[mknittle]

I think it look kinda neat

[Rebel]

Thanks for viewing and commenting all, I realise its not going to be everyones cup of tea on the forum.

[Donald]

Innovative stuff. I think it's good that there are those who 'push the boat out' in terms of experimentation. We never create art unless we do.

On this one, my comment is that I find teh top of the fall a bit too bright. My attention is getting dragged up to the (is it?) sky and the top area of the fall. If I scroll; the image up to exclude that part then the light and effect of the lower part becomes, for me, much more dramatic. Now, I'm not suggesting a crop, but I wonder if a bit of work to tone down the brightness of that top bit would be worth it?

[James G]

Hi Matt, I like this, it kind of has a mystical look to it... The light illuminating the fallen tree & branches is nicely subdued, adding to the feeling that there are hidden things lurking nearby.

Would the 'Falls of Gold' by any chance be, Henrydd? Definitely a dark and mystical place with some of the 'trickiest' light I've ever encountered.

[Rebel]

Innovative stuff. I think it's good that there are those who 'push the boat out' in terms of experimentation. We never create art unless we do.

On this one, my comment is that I find teh top of the fall a bit too bright. My attention is getting dragged up to the (is it?) sky and the top area of the fall. If I scroll; the image up to exclude that part then the light and effect of the lower part becomes, for me, much more dramatic. Now, I'm not suggesting a crop, but I wonder if a bit of work to tone down the brightness of that top bit would be worth it?

Thanks for viewing Donald, I did think that it might be a bit bright when processing it I will try and reduce the brightness a bit and see how that looks.

Hi Matt, I like this, it kind of has a mystical look to it... The light illuminating the fallen tree & branches is nicely subdued, adding to the feeling that there are hidden things lurking nearby.

Would the 'Falls of Gold' by any chance be, Henrydd? Definitely a dark and mystical place with some of the 'trickiest' light I've ever encountered.

Thanks James, yes this is Henrhydd Waterfall. I've found it a very difficult subject to shoot, very dark surroundings and then a bright light at the top of the fall. I'm thinking of heading down there in the night at some point to see how that works out. Its only 10 minutes up the road from me

[GBO25]

Although it's a tiny bit too yellow/saturated at the top I really like the treatment, it looks fabulous.

[IzzieK]

Good effect...+1 to Donald's comment.

[bnnrcn]

I like it Matt Just the strong yellows a the top bothers me a bit.

[Rebel]

Thanks for all the comments all.

I have reduced the saturation and brightness at the top of the waterfall slightly in the version below:



Improvement?

[bnnrcn]

Now, it looks good to me Matt

[Donald]

Improvement?

YES! Well at least I think so.

[Loose Canon]

I realise its not going to be everyones cup of tea on the forum.

Hi Matt!

I’m going to have to consider myself in the “not my cup of tea” category! But since no one (especially myself) cares what I like or don’t like, maybe you’d allow me a couple of comments?

First thing that struck me is the entry line of the fall into the water pool below. It’s giving to the left and if the water is falling into a pool of water, that pool will necessarily be level. Of course, leveling the entry will reduce the fall-off at the top of the falls unless you have a larger version available.

There are some spots below the tree in the lower right corner, the bottom frame edge, and the pool itself that might possibly be better off not being there. There are even some spots on the rock wall that I would consider removing. Since you mentioned “fine art” in the title I think “print”. The spots won’t translate well in a print and I think you would find them annoying. Especially if you go big! If this were mine if it were a nice water/light/rock reflection it stays. If it is a point specular, it goes. This is one of the less glamorous (i.e. mind-numbing!) and most important tasks of post production in my mind and makes a huge difference. I’m a fan of a “clean” shot and believe me in the end you won’t miss those spots a bit!

The shot looks somehow noisy or grainy to me. No idea if this is on purpose. But I took a little noise reduction after it and re-sharpened it from there. From there I dodged what I presume to be the rays of light and brought them out. Same for the white in the falls (stayed away from the gold areas) and the highlights in the pool. Burned the black streaks in the light rays and same for the water. In other words I brought some selective contrast to the scene and tried to pop the subject(s) which I take as the waterfall and the light rays. Went for a more “In Your Face” look, which I think this shot deserves with the choices you have made in post.

Anyway Matt, just a couple of thoughts! I would love to visit this place!

[Kris V]

I like the 2nd version - major improvement.

[Rebel]

Hi Matt!

I’m going to have to consider myself in the “not my cup of tea” category! But since no one (especially myself) cares what I like or don’t like, maybe you’d allow me a couple of comments?

First thing that struck me is the entry line of the fall into the water pool below. It’s giving to the left and if the water is falling into a pool of water, that pool will necessarily be level. Of course, leveling the entry will reduce the fall-off at the top of the falls unless you have a larger version available.

There are some spots below the tree in the lower right corner, the bottom frame edge, and the pool itself that might possibly be better off not being there. There are even some spots on the rock wall that I would consider removing. Since you mentioned “fine art” in the title I think “print”. The spots won’t translate well in a print and I think you would find them annoying. Especially if you go big! If this were mine if it were a nice water/light/rock reflection it stays. If it is a point specular, it goes. This is one of the less glamorous (i.e. mind-numbing!) and most important tasks of post production in my mind and makes a huge difference. I’m a fan of a “clean” shot and believe me in the end you won’t miss those spots a bit!

The shot looks somehow noisy or grainy to me. No idea if this is on purpose. But I took a little noise reduction after it and re-sharpened it from there. From there I dodged what I presume to be the rays of light and brought them out. Same for the white in the falls (stayed away from the gold areas) and the highlights in the pool. Burned the black streaks in the light rays and same for the water. In other words I brought some selective contrast to the scene and tried to pop the subject(s) which I take as the waterfall and the light rays. Went for a more “In Your Face” look, which I think this shot deserves with the choices you have made in post.

Anyway Matt, just a couple of thoughts! I would love to visit this place!

Cheers Terry, there is a lot in there that I can look into and experiment with over the weekend. I actually added the grain to the shot as I do like it for this image. (I think its the only time I've ever added grain in PP)

This location is beautiful and I think I've mentioned before on here that it is the location that they used for the entrance of the Batcave in the Dark Knight movie.

[Loose Canon]

BATMAN?????

No way!

I’m booking from Gotham City International Airport today (apparently the Batplane is busy fighting crime!). I’m totally there!

Awesome!

[James G]

Matt, you learn something new all the time.. Henrydd Falls as the entrance to the Bat Cave! wow!....I've always thought Moria or Annwn

I took the liberty of grabbing the image and having a private play, hope you don't mind... I'll not post it because I don't want to derail any of your thoughts for re-processing with a visual cue. But I would suggest considering modifying the small amount of light of the sky across the lip of the falls to something like our UK dull rainswept evening greys.... it would make the sweep of the falls over the edge a bit more dramatic and defined...

I still think its an image with a lot going for it!

[JBW]

I like the concept. But, there is often a but, i agree there is just too much drawing my eyes to the top when my spirit wants to search out the hidden caves lower down.