Coastal Waterfalls

[NorthernFocus]

I was cleaning up my hard drive and ran across some waterfall shots from this past summer that I never got around to PP. These are coastal waterfalls that cascade into Prince William Sound. Over the years I've taken hundred of these shots but they never come out satisfactory. Those who don't like the slow shutter misty effect should be happy. These were shot from a boat so long ss not feasible. They were all shot within a few minutes of each other though with partly cloudy skies the lighting was constantly changing. I also was playing around with different filter effects in PP so lighting/colors vary a good bit.

All shot with Nikon D810 w/70-200mm f4

1) This one was pretty straight forward. The main interest was the interesting fall with the step in it and the blue glacial water of the fjord.


2) This is a fall I've shot dozens of times but have never been happy with results. It is hard to get the sense of scale. It is several hundred feet high. For reference the trees visible at upper left are probably 80-100ft(35m) tall. I chose the 2x1 format in an effort to give the effect of height.


3) This is another really high fall with a good flow as well. It drains off of a hanging glacier on the mountain above. I've also shot it multiple time, always with a similar composition. The surface of the water was more disturbed here so the blue of the fjord water wasn't visible and therefore not as important in the comp.


4) The same fall shot wider to show the mountain and glacier. For reference the mountain peak is over 3000ft(925m)


5) And one more giving some sense of the height. This one is two shots stitched so is really high rez. I tried to get rid of the blue tint but apparently didn't succeed. Does it look blue to others?

[Barbara Ponder]

Those are beautiful, I especially like #1. It reminds me of our cruise there! I wish I had the camera I have now when I was there.

[Rebel]

Beautiful images, number #4 is my favourite.

With regards to showing the scale, you'll have to get someone to swim across and stand on the bank?

[Kaye Leggett]

I sympathise with the feeling that the waterfall is difficult to capture on camera but I think you have achieved it here by putting them in context. I particularly like the 2nd.

[cliveanne]

I like the whole set. I have never been a fan of 'Milky water' it looks false. I think at the distance, the milky effect would not have worked anyway. As to the Blue, I think it's just right. It matches the scene. The first photo is my choice.
Happy shooting.
Peter.

[deetheturk]

Wonderful captures Dan, I like all of them

[dje]

Nice set Dan, 1 and 2 for me ! Can't really notice much blue in 5.

Dave

[Shadowman]

Nice series.

[bnnrcn]

Very nice shots Dan My bests are #1 and #2. I can notice a bit of blue in the last image but only if I compare it to the other shots, it is not too blue on its own.

[IzzieK]

#1 is my favourite here too...spectacular scenery...and good narrative as usual...

[pnodrog]

Very nice and I can believe how frustrating it must be to be sure that you have done them full justice (it may not be possible) - what a magnificent area.

[Poider]

Beautiful, love number 4.

[Mike Buckley]

I didn't take the time to review the posts but the fourth photo is definitely my favorite. That's because when the subject is the mountain rather than just a waterfall, it works better for me because the "ribbon" of water on its own doesn't provide enough interest in terms of size, color or texture. However, when the waterfall plays a supporting role, it adds tremendous interest to the scene.

The image is so nice that I hope to convince you to consider tweaking three areas of the image separately -- the sky to increase tonal variation, the upper part of the mountain to increase contrast a lot, and the lower part of the mountain to increase contrast just a bit. There is a bit of a blue color cast that renders the rock faces of the mountain too purple on my profiled and calibrated monitor.

[Downrigger]

Beautiful set - such spectacular country!

Can't see SS in EXIF but like it where it is in these beauties. The eye doesn't freeze falling water as would 1/800 or faster, but doesn't see "milk" either. And for most falling water I think it nice to see what the eye records - I think around 1/60 - 1/125 depending on distance from the falls. Whatever you're at seems great to me.

I, like Mike, think the lovely #4 has a color cast - Mike thinks it's blue, but I'm wondering if it isn't just a little to the magenta end of the magenta-green slider... I think a tweak to the green might grey the rock and enrich the somewhat reddened greens.

[Whistletown Wilds]

I like #1 I'm happy looks natural!

[Mike Buckley]

I, like Mike, think the lovely #4 has a color cast - Mike thinks it's blue, but I'm wondering if it isn't just a little to the magenta end of the magenta-green slider... I think a tweak to the green might grey the rock and enrich the somewhat reddened greens.

Good eye, Mark! You're right about that on all counts.

[Texas Dave]

Such beauty. Thanks for sharing!

[NorthernFocus]

Thanks for all the comments, everyone. When it's not foggy or raining this is truly a stunning area. I always joke with my wife that when some of these long falls are shot in isolation from the surroundings, the images could be mistaken for falls in Hawaii. Of course the EXIF data doesn't record ambient air/water temperature

Mike and Mark, you comments on no.4 are spot on. I did the least processing on that one. The "as-shot" WB has a +26 setting on the tone slider in LR. That is where the magenta is coming from. I tried reducing that setting but then the greens looked unnatural. I guess I need to tweak it in the HSL panel. And the sky and upper mountain can definitely use some work.

I was surprised at the comments on the first image. That goes to show the emotional connection that is so difficult to overcome as the photographer. In my own mind I retain the sense of awe with the taller falls from having been there in person. I barely even remember shooting the smaller one. Though do recall wishing I was ashore and could work the scene a little bit because it had some potential. The first two images had much less atmospheric haze to deal with in post and I think it shows.

[JohnRostron]

Beautiful images.#1and #4 are my favourites.

John

[NorthernFocus]

OK, I re-processed no.4 to remove the magenta/purple tint. Now the grey rocks are grey. Also selectively kicked up contrast and lowered highlights. Open in the light box and toggle back and forth to see the difference.