Creek at the bottom of the gorge

[joebranko]

Visited Felker Falls last week. While walking along the adjacent trail ( the Bruce Trail) I looked down into the gorge at the creek which exited the Falls and took this shot.







I was happy with the shot, but thought that I could highlight the creek better if I cropped away as much as I could to get more creek into the frame. If I cropped the sky I could accomplish this, as below:





Unfortunately this cost the sky which I thought was sad. However the focus of the shot was the 'Creek at the bottom of the gorge'. Oh well....

[Geoff F]

I wonder if there is another way to approach this scene, Joe. Crop away part of the left side to give a 4 x 5 ratio; or even 2 x 3, which would leave the sky but reduce the 'clutter' somewhat.

[Manfred M]

Sorry Joe, this shot is not working particularly well at all for me.

There is simply far to much clutter from the underbrush and the subject, the creek, plays too minor a role in the overall image. I think you would have to get down to the creek itself to get a shot that works well.

[joebranko]

I wonder if there is another way to approach this scene, Joe. Crop away part of the left side to give a 4 x 5 ratio; or even 2 x 3, which would leave the sky but reduce the 'clutter' somewhat.

Thanks Geoff. I will look at that option.

[joebranko]

Sorry Joe, this shot is not working particularly well at all for me.

There is simply far to much clutter from the underbrush and the subject, the creek, plays too minor a role in the overall image. I think you would have to get down to the creek itself to get a shot that works well.

Thanks Manfred. If I can get to the bottom....

[Wavelength]

More than any thing it is the long trees that appears to be the main subject for an observer. If nearly 1/3rd is removed from the left of the first image, it will give a vertical tree-scape.....

[DanK]

Manfred beat me to it. I agree with him. this is really a photo of tree limbs more than of a creek.

On a more general note, I find it very difficult to create interesting images in settings like this because of the visual clutter. I've done a bunch of flower macros in situ in places like this and have thrown almost all of them out.

[selig1656]

If the main subject was the creek , you should have canvased the terrain for a better angle, patience is essential in composition.

[joebranko]

If nearly 1/3rd is removed from the left of the first image, it will give a vertical tree-scape.....

Thanks Nandakumar. I will try that.

[joebranko]

I find it very difficult to create interesting images in settings like this because of the visual clutter. I've done a bunch of flower macros in situ in places like this and have thrown almost all of them out.

Thanks. I agree with both of you.

[joebranko]

If the main subject was the creek , you should have canvased the terrain for a better angle, patience is essential in composition.

Thanks Raymond. Why did you assume that I did not canvass for a better angle? This shot was taken from the edge of a (200?)ft deep gorge with dangerously steep walls. There was no better angle without risking serious injury. As Manfred pointed out , I would need to get down to creek level to get a better shot. If I find a safe route to get there in the future I will get a better shot. Thanks for your comments though.

[Manfred M]

This shot was taken from the edge of a (200?)ft deep gorge with dangerously steep walls.

Sometimes there just isn't a good shot to be had. Putting one's life in danger in order to get one is something I strongly advise against.

If you are shooting in a situation where these types of restrictions exist, it can make sense to include a comment in the notes accompanying the posted image just to give the viewers an overview of the practical issues the photographer faced in getting the shot.

[joebranko]

to include a comment in the notes accompanying the posted image just to give the viewers an overview of the practical issues the photographer faced in getting the shot.

Good point.

[joebranko]

I wonder if there is another way to approach this scene, Joe. Crop away part of the left side to give a 4 x 5 ratio; or even 2 x 3, which would leave the sky but reduce the 'clutter' somewhat.

Here is my take on this suggestion:

[joebranko]

More than any thing it is the long trees that appears to be the main subject for an observer. If nearly 1/3rd is removed from the left of the first image, it will give a vertical tree-scape.....

Like this?

[Manfred M]

Sorry Joe - these edits do not work significantly better than your originals.

The comments I made in #3 still apply.

[Geoff F]

It does look better to me, Joe, but admittedly this is a somewhat confused scene of branches.

Possibly a revised name like 'Tall Trees in Winter' might be a help in encouraging viewers to look differently at the image ?

[joebranko]

It does look better to me, Joe, but admittedly this is a somewhat confused scene of branches.

Possibly a revised name like 'Tall Trees in Winter' might be a help in encouraging viewers to look differently at the image ?

Perhaps this is one of those shots which look good in my imagination before shooting, but not so good in reality?

[Wavelength]

Like this?

For me, yes, because i feel there is more focus on one subject

[Geoff F]

I suspect the viewing size is having some impact on this scene, Joe. I have often found myself in a similar situation. In real life where you are seeing the 3D scene with fairly wide gaps between branches it looks different to a photograph. Possibly, if projected onto a large viewing screen it would appear differently.