Paterson Great Falls / HDR practice

[Hui Song]

Paterson Great Falls is one of the United States' largest waterfalls. I never be there before since it is in an old rundown industry area. Until I tried to find a water fall to practice photography, I did not know its exact location. It is only ten minutes driving from my home. I went there three times in last two month. Here are some pictures.

The sun light can only reach one side of the cliff around the falls. I practiced making HDR on some of these images. These falls definitely have their own character. I am still thinking about how to show them. Right now, the water volume is very small. I will take more pictures at different time, weather and season.

C&C welcome.



#1 The first HDR image I ever made.



#2. The second HDR image I ever made.



#3. This is another HDR image. I want to show the building in the picture. But it is so hard to get rid of the fence at the bottom. If I crop it out, the proportion of the image will be not right.
When I took the #2, I found a hole under the fence and crawled on the ground to get the shots.



#4 Without the building, I can avoid the fence. (This is not a HDR image)



#5. View from the bridge over the falls. (This is not a HDR image)



#6 View from back of the falls.

[dje]

Nice shots. You've got some good compositions there and the exposure is very good.

Dave

[Polar01]

Wish I had a place like that only ten minutes away. Myself I think the strongest ones are #2 and #3, I like that red building at the top it to me just adds another point of interest. With #3 I just like the whole composition, the only I would change is I would remove is the flag as it is so blurred, in the future I and know how much the people of the US love their flag, I suggest that you take one shot just to get the flag correct then later just copy one flag over to the other image. I have done this on some images from time to time. I also like image #5, however I want to see more of the top for some reason, I like the spot you choose maybe start the composition at the bottom of the falls leaving out that pool so more of the top it showing. I will be a hard shot as the upper right hand in likely in in shadow, then as I was not there, their maybe nothing of interest there at all.
Again nice shots with good compositions and exposures.

Cheers:

Allan

[Brownbear]

Lovely... Image 2 is my favourite.

[Hui Song]

Wish I had a place like that only ten minutes away. Myself I think the strongest ones are #2 and #3, I like that red building at the top it to me just adds another point of interest. With #3 I just like the whole composition, the only I would change is I would remove is the flag as it is so blurred, in the future I and know how much the people of the US love their flag, I suggest that you take one shot just to get the flag correct then later just copy one flag over to the other image. I have done this on some images from time to time. I also like image #5, however I want to see more of the top for some reason, I like the spot you choose maybe start the composition at the bottom of the falls leaving out that pool so more of the top it showing. I will be a hard shot as the upper right hand in likely in in shadow, then as I was not there, their maybe nothing of interest there at all.
Again nice shots with good compositions and exposures.

Cheers:

Allan

THanks Allan. I over looked the blurred flag. I took the set of exposure for HDR manually, one of the original picture has a clear flag in it. I just used that one to fixed the flag. Actually, I should have removed the ghost when I made the HDR in PS.

On top of the fall is the small red building. I tried to avoid it when I compost the #5. I will post another one as #6 to show more one the bottom of the two falls. I like the #5 better then #6. The shadow of the bridge at left lower part is a distraction for me. When the river is flooded, these falls just become one GREAT FALL. But I have not see it yet.



#3 revised


#6

[chauncey]

10 minutes away...wow. Were it me I would work the scene again and again, much like Scott Kelby explains here...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FpHMuK7Htic It's an hour long.
Don't try to get fancy until you've really nailed the compositions that you like, then go for it.

[Hui Song]

Lovely... Image 2 is my favourite.

#2 is my favorite too. I googled on internet. It is seams no body took the picture from this low position. Maybe it is the fence prevent other people to do that. Also, the sun light timing help this image.

[Hui Song]

Hi chauncey,

Thanks for your suggestion. I will check the You-tube video later.

Yes, it is only ten minutes driving away. I passed the near by streets many times before and did not know the great falls there. The park does not do good jobs attractting people. The surroundings are warehouses. The facility is not well maintained. But fewer people in the park is good for photographer, right? Learning photography lets me look my home area differently.