![Waterfalls photography photo critique for Norman Christian I have only recently learned of your site and have really enjoyed the education. Until now, I have pretty much been a nature […]](https://academy-of-photography.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Finger-Lakes-2459-420x190.jpg "waterfalls landscape Finger Lakes")
Waterfalls photography
photo critique for Norman
Christian
I have only recently learned of your site and have really enjoyed the education. Until now, I have pretty much been a nature photographer but am asked more and more to photograph weddings which I am working up to.
I have attached three images for your review.
Thanks for taking the time
Norman Schillawski
Norman
thank you for your images. Very nice…Since your images have the same characteristics I will make my comments as one as they will apply to all 3 of them
Content 7 out of 10
I believe content is not that unusual, however it does take some effort to get interesting images with waterfalls. So I appreciate you taking the time and travel to get the right angle and the right position. Also it does take some knowledge to use the neutral density filters and that tells me you know what you are doing. Also in the third image do I see some light painting?
Composition 9 out of 10
Perfect execution for all 3 images, rule of thirds, perspectives balance, and zig zag dynamic perspective. Did you put any thoughts to this? was it just reflex? can you tell me why and how you took these images?
Image quality 7 out of 10
I saw the small images and i found that visually appealing and I am confident if you look at the high resolution images that will give me a better impact, but as a photographer I can see through that. Perhaps a bit of post editing can give them an extra edge….?! first 2 images a bit underexposed for my personal taste, but this is subjective
Final TRS mark 7.6 out of 10
I would classify this in the good to almost very good photography. You are skilled, I have no doubt about that and you master your equipment well. One thing it is missing in my opinion is the extra wow factor, that thing that makes you different than everyone else, that last 1% of inspiration. Your images are very good, but I have seen this type of photography before. Show us something that only you can do!
Can you tell us what camera, lens, settings, and any accessories you have used? a bit more information behind your story will paint a better picture about you. Sometimes few words help
Norman
I am happy to receive your level of photographs and I believe other people should learn from you. If you have anything else to share, I will be happy to see it
Christian
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Title: Waterfalls Photography
Content: 7.5(10)
Waterfalls are always nice subject matter if shot properly Nothing like seeing a small little waterfall with that silky smooth flow to it and the rest of the image properly exposed.
Composition: 8(10)
Nothing much to add here. The ROT’s is nicely done, the photographs flow nicely.
Image Quality: 7.5(10)
The first two is lacking slightly. I believe the first two shots seem slightly dull, but that’s just me. Maybe try to bring out some more highlights to some degree to give it more impact. The third image I enjoy, beautiful colors, not over powering or blown out and it’s balanced really nice.
TRS Score: 7.6(10)
Comments
Normal,
Excellent landscape photographs here. I enjoy doing landscape photography myself 🙂 My only suggestion is to try and get a more overall impact especially on those first two. You know how to balance and compose the photograph nice. Doing landscapes compared to say portraits or wedding photography does take a different approach. Happy shooting and I look forward to seeing more of you work in the future!
Kevin Hays
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Sorry Norman I had misspelled your name on my critique, my apologies.
Kevin
Waterfalls photography
photo critique for Norman
Norman
Thank you for your images submitted today I will also rate the images as one and may refer to each of them in some respect.
Content 7 out of 10
General Content is a popular one long exposure photography is always great and very relaxing, I like the angle here well thought out in a tier formation, for the first image again with the second image well thought out position The third image is very nice, I like the colour cast of soft blues mixed with hard darker blues
Composition 9 out of 10
Well thought out composition on all images the rule of thirds is clear here, as well as capturing the mood of the shot itself, nicely done.
Image quality 7 out of 10
Overall image quality is good the first two are a little dark for my taste it’s always nice to see bright clear colours, also post processing would be a definite advantage here to bring out the best in the images, the third image even though a little dark, its obviously dusk type landscape scene, maybe some post processing on the foreground rock to bring them up a little but happy with this image.
Final TRS mark 7.6 out of 10
I am happy to look upon your images they have clear definition and your have skill in using a camera, I would now look at the next level Post processing is key to any good photographer to give your images that boost and to make them very eye catching if your like me when I started photography I like a lot of clarity and contrast in my images but found that it made them look dark, try going the other way by making the images brighter and more eye catching everyone has there on methods and tastes and your images will not please everyone no one’s can, but with patients and practice you will achieve this is a short space of time I feel, great job Norman I like you work keep taking them would be happy to see more of your work, and if your considering weddings there is a blog on this website of my own experiences, you can also find some more information on my website.
http://www.simoneverettphotographykent.co.uk
all the best.
Simon
I appreciate the critique – I agree with the first two being a bit dark – I added one stop in lightroom and along with opening up the shadows a bit and it makes a big difference. The first two images where taken on an excursion in the Finger Lakes this past fall. Both days it was wet.
The first was in Watkins Glen, New York – along the gorge trail. I loved the flow from pool to pool and having the leaves along side gave that touch of fall I was looking for. I often use a variable ND and my polarizer. I missed using the polarizer on this image which left a glare on the rock in the foreground and probably would have added more color in the leaves.
Canon 6d EF24-105mm f/4L 1.0sec f11 ISO 100 70mm
The second image was the next day – weather about the same but the creek was running extremely fast. The yellow tree above the falls was eye catching with the waterfalls below. I walked up and down the trail looking for the right capture. I finally found it about even with the tree above the falls. I used a polarizer and found it was enough to get the longer exposure. Photographed in Buttermilk Falls State Park in Ithaca NY
Canon 6d EF24-105mm f/4L .6sec F/16 ISO100 28mm
The last image was taken early last Spring at Lake Ontario in Oswego NY. It is actually a composite of 5 images using HDR. I was waiting for the sunset and as I looked around I loved the colors, plus the rocks on the shoreline. Most of the time these rocks are covered with water. The last part of the image was that 180 color opposite the sunset which happen to light up the smokestack of Nine Mile Reactor. In order to get the results I wanted I shot 5 bracketed exposures. The wind and waves had calmed as they often do at sunset so I had very little movement making HDR a great option.
Canon 6d EF24-105mm f/4L F/22 ISO100 24mm – mid exp .4 sec bracket 1 stop increments
Norm
Norm
Thank you for your message. I would like to invite you to become a member as i see people can learn from you
As an idea, you can turn your explanations in regards to the Hdr images into a tutorial and show all bracketed images…i am sure it will be appreciated by our readers
Christian
Christian – I appreciate your invitation and will consider helping you. Do you have certain expectations? I do occasionally blog on my website – if you have time check it out – meanwhile I will work on an article on HDR
Thanks for inviting me
Norm
Hi Norman,
It’s great you went ahead and listed the ISO, aperture, SP, etc… on the photographs so all of us can get an idea what it was shot at. I would use those same settings. For some reason the 2nd picture just doesn’t seem as in focus as I would think it should with that aperture. I assume it was on a tripod with a remote shutter release with IS turned off?
I will also just walk around trying to find the best angle and composition that I like. What is funny is when you are lying on your stomach on the ground to take some photographs and other photographers are around you staring, lol. 🙂
Kevin
Kevin – I ended up 8″ above a large puddle of water precariously over a ledge – I lucky I didn’t get to go swimming. I was on a tripod for all my shots with cable release – perhaps in the second image it was not stable enough.
Norman,
Reminds me of my younger days, LOL. You are lucky you didn’t slip, but I would have done the same thing if it meant getting the shot!
Happy shooting 🙂
Waterfalls Photography
Image Title : Waterfalls [1]
Author : Norman Schillawski
Photo Critique by : Mr Robert Chircop.
Content: TRS mark 7.5/10
I like the cascading waterfall and sense of depth created.
Composition: TRS mark 7.5/10
Pleasing composition giving the image depth and perspective. Well done. Some colour might have enhanced this image though.
I wonder how the image would have look if laterally inverted; having the water flow from left to right, but this is just visual curiosity.
Image quality: TRS mark 7/10
Quality is fine. I presume that your camera was mounted on a tripod as this seems to be a fairly long exposure. Have you made use of ND filters?
Final TRS mark: 7+ out of 10
Image Title : Waterfalls [2]
Author : Norman Schillawski
Photo Critique by : Mr Robert Chircop.
Content: TRS mark 8/10
Pleasing and beautifully captured waterfall.
Composition: TRS mark 8/10
With regards to composition, I seem to prefer this to the image before. The yellow and green colours enhance this image. The water flowing in different directions is striking and visually interesting.
Image quality: TRS mark 7/10
As commented previously. The silky water brought about by your long exposure is carefully controlled. Detail in your highlights is evident and well captured.
Final TRS mark: 8- out of 10
Image Title : Finger Lakes
Author : Norman Schillawski
Photo Critique by : Mr Robert Chircop.
Content: TRS mark 8/10
A degree of simplicity that make for visual interest.
Composition: TRS mark 8/10
Good use of negative space making the tree stand out. Your fore, middle and background interest are very well structured. I like your work.
Image quality: TRS mark 6/10
Is this an HDR? I’m not sure about the ‘glow’ you seem you have in the sky around the tree. It is somewhat distracting. Still a very good image though.
Final TRS mark: 7+ out of 10
Norman, you have clearly demonstrated very good skills in photography. You also have good control on your camera and equipment.
I would be delighted if you could give me your feedback on my comments and perhaps show us more of your work. Well done.
Hello Norman,
I see that you have posted more information regarding your technique. Very interesting and informative. Please regard my critique as ‘first impressions’ prior to your technical descriptions.
Keep up the good work.
Thank you,
Robert.