Raging Water

[billp]

I took this shot of a river scene. It was about 30 minutes before sundown. I know some of the highlights are blown-out, but the pic still looks OK. Comments?

F 16 1/100s ISO 160

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[glenafton]

17874
Billp,
I had a little play with your photograph and tried to reduce the blown out effects but was only partially sucessful.
It is a pity about the blown out parts as this would have been quite a dramatic picture. If you return to the falls again I think that a graduated neutral density filter would help to reduce the glare,probably an ND6 or ND8

[billp]

Thanks Glen.

[Kaye]

Bill, I really like your image. It is quite beautiful. With the late sun on the water, my guess is this is probably similar to what you saw with your own eye.... and I like the dark and light in the water.
I am not very experienced with filters, but as Glenafton mentioned, a filter could greatly help a shot like this, and I must also consider buying one or two.

I am not sure if you use a photo editing software, so I hope you don't mind, but I also tried a very quick edit just to try to eliminate some of the glare. I used Photoshop CS5 - Shadows and Highlights to bring light and detail to the darker spots like the rocks, Selective Color to darken the whites, touch of brightness/contrast, and a small bit of clone tool on the really bright spot to tone it down. I will attach your original and then my edit so you can compare.



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[mdonahoe1]

Bill, I agree with all comments above and think the edits are good, too.

[billp]

Thanks Kaye....I have a polarizing filter but didn't have it on the lens when I captured this shot (duh!!!)....I do have editing software (Corel Photopaint Pro X4) but am still in the 'learning the basics' stage....I love what you did with the highlights and dark areas....inspires me to get into my software and experiment. Do you think, after some tweaking, that this photo is good enough to submit in the final assignment?

[billp]

Sorry about putting you on the spot with that last question....I am looking for an honest appraisal and have thick skin LOL.

[sandrac]

I was under the impression at least when I took the course that tweaking was not allowed
I might be wrong
I really like the shot
and Kaye's edit was really good

[Kaye]

Thanks Kaye....I have a polarizing filter but didn't have it on the lens when I captured this shot (duh!!!)....I do have editing software (Corel Photopaint Pro X4) but am still in the 'learning the basics' stage....I love what you did with the highlights and dark areas....inspires me to get into my software and experiment. Do you think, after some tweaking, that this photo is good enough to submit in the final assignment?


Sorry about putting you on the spot with that last question....I am looking for an honest appraisal and have thick skin LOL.


I was under the impression at least when I took the course that tweaking was not allowed
I might be wrong
I really like the shot
and Kaye's edit was really good

Bill, I am probably not the best person to ask about choice of shots for the final assignment. I have so much difficulty choosing images for my own assignments... I am still stuck on Lesson 7 B&W at present, partly due to lack of time, and partly due to the fact that I have not shot/found the shot I wish to submit yet.
I think it is a lovely shot, and it is important that YOU love the shot before submitting it. Some other members who have completed the final assignment may wish to comment here.

Bill and Sandra.... glad you like my edit. I am of the understanding that a certain amount of post processing/tweaking is permitted for the assignments. I feel that a small amount of post processing is just part of the process of digital photography, especially with raw images. My tutor even mentioned to me that HDR is fine.

[billp]

Thanks Kaye.....you are absolutely right, I must love the shot....my tutor also commented that a little post editing is fine...