Just had to get out and shoot

[Jeff Blakemore]

Hey everybody! It's been a busy holiday. Between work, family, and rainy days we were all cooped up for way too long. Went down south to spend a little Christmas time with my in-laws, and the first day the sun broke through we took advantage and went straight to the mountains for a hike.

Got to stop and relax for a while at this waterfall. Not a lot of color and a little harsher light than I like, but I couldn't resist setting up and doing what I love to do anyway. Besides, gave me a chance to try out the D810

[Shadowman]

Nice shots.

[Wavelength]

Very beautiful images....

[Ziggy]

Both very nice. Think the first one is my favorite.

[DanK]

Nice. I also prefer #1.

[tbob]

Number one is my pick. I suspect you might be able to reduce the brightness on the trees in upper left in post processing.

No matter the shots you got, looked like a great day for a walk.

[Mike Buckley]

Beautiful compositions, light and post-processing!

[SamRothstein]

Both quite nice!

[rawill]

I like the shots too, especially the first one, I like the water below the falls.
Looks very natural.

But I have a question,

does the water coming over the fall look that silky in real time, or is it a slow shutter speed to get that effect?

[Sam W]

Beautiful shots Jeffery!

[IzzieK]

OK...I have the same question as Robin here...it is a different achievement I think...

[Jeff Blakemore]

Thanks so much everybody. It was very refreshing to get out a little while. Robin and Izzie, yes the silky flow effect comes from longer shutter speeds.

These were shot at 3:30-4:30 in the afternoon so the light wasn't optimal for longer shutter speeds. Technically one should shoot at least 1/5 to achieve this effect, but I like to shoot at 1/3 for a smoother flow. I was using a circular polarizer so that helped a bit, but I also took advantage of the D810's ability to shoot at lower ISOs. My final RAW files did have some very strong highlights, but luckily I was able to bring those down quite a bit in ACR.

[IzzieK]

I still have a lot to learn, Jeff -- especially not forgetting to use my CPL. Darn! that thing is on each all my lenses but when I don't need it, it is there, when I removed it and need it, it isn't. I have a very limited brain sometimes... I have to take a list with me...old age seeping in quickly. Thanks for the suggestion of how much to use. I really do not like smooth milky water effects but in yours it works, so I use that as a guide. Thanks again for the hint.

Thanks so much everybody. It was very refreshing to get out a little while. Robin and Izzie, yes the silky flow effect comes from longer shutter speeds.

These were shot at 3:30-4:30 in the afternoon so the light wasn't optimal for longer shutter speeds. Technically one should shoot at least 1/5 to achieve this effect, but I like to shoot at 1/3 for a smoother flow. I was using a circular polarizer so that helped a bit, but I also took advantage of the D810's ability to shoot at lower ISOs. My final RAW files did have some very strong highlights, but luckily I was able to bring those down quite a bit in ACR.

[bnnrcn]

Very nice images. I especially like #1, very nice composition, exposure and light