Mississipi River (in Canada). C&C welcome

[Sailorstu]

I went out yesterday afternoon to find a venue to photograph some small waterfalls for a first time with the intent of seeing how I could do at getting the "milky" streaks as the water cascades. The challenge I found was not getting the milky streaks, this is easily done in Shutter Priority with a longer exposure time - the problem I had was finding a way to make the composition interesting. Unfortunately the river I was on runs right through a small town near Ottawa and from most angles it was difficult not to end up with an unsightly building, house or power line in the frame. In any case, I am fairly satisfied with these shots but now I need to explore to find even a small waterfall or cascade in a more secluded setting (something I should have done in the fall colours period, but alas, didn't have time). Any pointers, advice, and critique welcome. For these shots I was generally above f/25 and 1-2 sec shutter in a cloudy setting.

Photo #1

Photo #2 - Bench of Contemplation

Photo #3 - Water Wall

Photo #4 - Inukshuk on the River

[Donald]

Unfortunately the river I was on runs right through a small town near Ottawa and from most angles it was difficult not to end up with an unsightly building, house or power line in the frame.

But don't necessarily dismiss the ugly building as unsuitable. It could make for an interesting contrast in the image. Just got to think out-of-the-box a little.

As I've written before, I am not a fan of this silky waterfall look. However, I hope that doesn't prevent me from being able to acknowledge skill when I see it and to make what I hope will be useful comments.

Compositionally, #3, 'Water Wall' is the standout image for me. Following on from what I just wrote above, I don't think the other 'bits' in the frame in the other4 3 images quite work as part of an overall composition. But because of the absence of those and the fact that the waterfall fills the frame, 'Water Wall' is a real attention-grabber. For me, it's the one that makes you stop as you're walking around the gallery. A really good image.

[Shadowman]

Nice series.

[Mike Buckley]

Perfect situation in my mind to use a slow shutter speed. Consider making the black point closer to black. Photo #3 would also work great as a monochrome.

Compositionally, #3, 'Water Wall' is the standout image for me. Following on from what I just wrote above, I don't think the other 'bits' in the frame in the other4 3 images quite work as part of an overall composition. But because of the absence of those and the fact that the waterfall fills the frame, 'Water Wall' is a real attention-grabber. For me, it's the one that makes you stop as you're walking around the gallery. A really good image.

Completely agreed with every detail in those thoughts.

[John 2]

No.s 3 and 4 in that order for me Stu. simply because of the way you have used some FG interest. Agree with Mike on the need to add some depth and if you can (in RAW?), it would be worth recovering the highlights where they are a bit blown in the water. Nice series.

[Round Tuit]

Stu,
Very nice series.
+1 to Donald and Mike's comments.
You might want to check out the west side of Hog's Back falls. There is also apparently a small fall off Montreal road just east of Orleans. I've never been there myself but plan to check it out sometimes.

Andre

[Kaye Leggett]

I have had lots of opportunity to photograph waterfalls this year, and I confess most of the images are still to be looked at as I always take far too many. But one thing I have done is to watch the water as it falls - you think it does the same thing all the time, but it really doesn't. If you can catch some of that in camera I think the composition of the images would improve. Don't forget your subject is the water, not necessarily its surroundings or the perhaps overused foreground interest mantra.

Just a very humble thought.

[mknittle]

3 for me also, I too am of the thought that old buildings can work well especially in monochrome.
Nice set Stu.

[Rider in the Sky]

Hi Stu,

I like your #4. Your capturing the 2 waterfalls' flow to the left, then to the right, seems "alive".

[IzzieK]

Although I like the composition of #3, I like the water treatment of #1 and #2...but that is not to say #3 and #4 are not good...they are BUT don't like silky water. The experiment is a good way to find out if one can do it or not in the shoot than in pp better...nice series.

[Sailorstu]

But don't necessarily dismiss the ugly building as unsuitable. It could make for an interesting contrast in the image. Just got to think out-of-the-box a little.

As I've written before, I am not a fan of this silky waterfall look. However, I hope that doesn't prevent me from being able to acknowledge skill when I see it and to make what I hope will be useful comments.

Compositionally, #3, 'Water Wall' is the standout image for me. Following on from what I just wrote above, I don't think the other 'bits' in the frame in the other4 3 images quite work as part of an overall composition. But because of the absence of those and the fact that the waterfall fills the frame, 'Water Wall' is a real attention-grabber. For me, it's the one that makes you stop as you're walking around the gallery. A really good image.

Thanks Donald, all very helpful feedback. I'm honestly not sure whether or not I'm a fan of the milky water. The other shots with foreground items (1, 2 and 4) aren't doing it for me either and I favour 3 as well. I'll work to find a spot where I can use a wider angle and incorporate the waterfall in a more complete landscape.

[Sailorstu]

Nice series.

Thanks John.

[Sailorstu]

Perfect situation in my mind to use a slow shutter speed. Consider making the black point closer to black. Photo #3 would also work great as a monochrome.



Completely agreed with every detail in those thoughts.

Thanks Mike. I'll give monochrome a try and you are right moving black point to black helped.

[Sailorstu]

Stu,
Very nice series.
+1 to Donald and Mike's comments.
You might want to check out the west side of Hog's Back falls. There is also apparently a small fall off Montreal road just east of Orleans. I've never been there myself but plan to check it out sometimes.

Andre

Thanks Andre, yes, I need to get over to Hog's Back and while I have heard of the small one East of Orleans, I'm still trying to track that one down.

[Sailorstu]

I have had lots of opportunity to photograph waterfalls this year, and I confess most of the images are still to be looked at as I always take far too many. But one thing I have done is to watch the water as it falls - you think it does the same thing all the time, but it really doesn't. If you can catch some of that in camera I think the composition of the images would improve. Don't forget your subject is the water, not necessarily its surroundings or the perhaps overused foreground interest mantra.

Just a very humble thought.

I much appreciate your humble thought Kaye! I enjoyed this first experience and look forward to further looking for that perfect waterfall photo!

[Sailorstu]

Although I like the composition of #3, I like the water treatment of #1 and #2...but that is not to say #3 and #4 are not good...they are BUT don't like silky water. The experiment is a good way to find out if one can do it or not in the shoot than in pp better...nice series.

Thanks Izzie, verdict isn't out on the silky water here yet either!