HIgh Land Dew

Very nice done,beautiful landscape and depth. I think the contrast is a bit low and high lights are not really sparkling.I hope you do not mind I made a some smal changes. Her it comes

Regards/ janis Lukas

Lovely work! Best regards, Ilkka

Gee, coming in to the discussion this late it's hard to offer any thoughts that haven't already been expressed.  I tend to agree with Jerry's and Tony's observations and Kaushik is right about the shutter speed; you've aced it for the speed of the water flow.  I ran this one through PhotoShop >auto levels and the resulting brighter image makes the colours simply glow as you stated of the original file.  (less so if viewed at 511 px width).  Every artist's tolerance for colour balance and intensity is different but mine fall towards the version I'm including.  But as has also been said your original probably reflects what you felt while you were there.  I've no problem with the composition.  It's excellent.  Also, it's best viewed 'Larger'.  Best, LM.

ALBERTO

Many thanks for your interest and very kind words, much appreciated!

Best Regards

Alf

PATRICK

Your opinion is what I seek and value. I can see why you would take the view, and agree that the tree adds colour., and yes depth too, but in the ideal world, for me at least, I would just prefer it not to break the profile of the mountain. Sincere thanks for your contribution Pat.

Best Regards

Alf

NEIL

Many thanks for your imput and thoughts, very much appreciated. I didn't have any water spots on this one thankfully, a few other shots I did and they were deleted straight away. Interesting solution to grainy skys I shall remember that one. You are perfectly correct about the f22 aperture too. I would normally use f8  or f11 in this kind of shot. In this case I tried to get a slightly longer exposure for the water, which seems to have worked, but on reflection, maybe a light ND filter would have had a similar effect. I probably decided on the easy option of adjusting the aperture, rather thatn trying to rummage through my gear in the wet to find the correct filter.

Cheers Neil!

Alf

DROR

Sincere thanks for your interest and suggestions, much appreciated. I like the crop as it give a kind of even border of vegetation around the river, on the other hand it kind of makes the mountain a bit too central, but it's an interesting alternative. As for the Gunners, they had a 2 goals to 0 lead too! I was hoping they would give the other two a run for it....but time and games are running out.

Cheers Mate!

Alf

IOANNIS

Many Thanks for your thoughts and suggestions, much appreciated. Your alternative version is not unlike the original file, but I decided to tone it down a bit, as I believed the original looked too surreal. After viewing your version I'm beginning to think I should have left it as it was.

Best Regards

Alf

ILKKA

Many thanks for your positive feedback, much apprecated.

Best Regards

Alf

LEN

Sincere thanks for your thoughts and suggestions. Your version is about as close as possible to the original. I should explain that whilst we were in Scotland, the colours appeared so vivid, that at first I thought it was something to do with my "Transitions" glasses that adjust to the light. But it wasn't just me , my companions also remarked on the vivid colours. Maybe it was just the time of year combined with the wet, but the resulting photo's I felt might look a bit too vivid to the casual observer. So in this case I tried to balance the inclement weather with what I thought would be more natural subdued colour. After seeing and hearing the alternative viewpoints I'm inclined to concede I should have left it more towards the original state. I uploaded it large, as I didn't think the small version looked very appealing. ...........Auto levels eh.......thats cheating Len : - )

Best Regards

Alf

Alf...  Wow, coming to a party late makes for tough conversation.  All of the responses are very well stated and all make beautiful photos; each are reasonable assumptions for as seen.  This looks like it's taken right at the beginning of the blue hour, the sun is gone, it's cloudy and the water has taken on a blue tint from the atmosphere as well.  A moody capture that is well in line with your opening description.  Good shot... Mike

Ok... I'm back editing my comment:  I couldn't resist a little monkeying around with this.  Here's my offer with setting the white point on the brightest water and the black point on the dark underside of one of the rocks, then just a tad of levels adjustment, and slight sharpening (just for resizing)...  Interestingly, the blue tint to the left of the mountain remains to some degree, but is reduced in intensity.  However, I still think your version is well representative of the moody lighting that is visible at this time of the day. 

Alf,

After so much having said and done to this shot, hard to add anything new...

I feel indeed the right side could have been cropped tighter as the rich vegetation there is not so interesting and the composition has so many nice triangles that the rectangle there is like "a goose on the fish-market". I hope you excuse me if I also take part in the happy frolic here and add my illustration of this argument.

I do not think you need more contrast as it will mess up the nice foggy-rainy mood. Maybe (as it has been said above) having the whole a bit lighter would help but I like it as it is too.

Best Regards, Tibi

Really beautiful work again Alf! "as all ways" regards Grant.

".....Auto Levels.....", cheating?  Why do you suppose they put it in there?   Let's have some good natured fun here.  Let's see, there's Auto Focus, Auto Metering, Auto Shutter Speed, Auto Aperture, Auto White Balance, Auto ISO, Auto Flash, etc.  I've probably missed a few.  I could go on & on but you probably get the point by now.  But 'Auto Levels' is cheating!  :-)  On a more serious note Auto Levels produces a satisfactory result for me in about half the times I use it.  It usually gets me in the ball park but if it fails then I resort to a more disciplined approach.  In this case it worked for me so I quit.  I think the end justifies the means.  Best, (no purist) LM. (even drives a car with an automatic transmission)

MIKE

Sincere thanks for joining in, all contributions very welcome, it's good to see such healthy interest. I Just looked up the time that the photo was shot, it was 5.22 pm in late Autumn so yes, the sun had gone and maybe it was close to the "blue hour" but I did also tweak the white balance to give it a slightly cooler look. I do like your version though with the slightly less obvious blue tone. And it was interesting to note the method you used to balance the light / shadow.

Cheers Mike!

Alf

TIBI

I'm just very flattered that everyone has gone to so much trouble, to lend me thier advice and opinions, and I'm very pleased to hear your thoughts too. I agree that some of the vegetation on the right could have been cropped, but having done that it leaves the mountain a bit too central for my tastes , but I concede the rectangle less pronounced. It is interesting to note your observation of the triangles within the image, something I'd not thought to do myself. I think Lens version and Mikes are fairly representative of the original file before processing, but I felt a bleaker look, the foggy-rainy look you mention, was more in tune with the actual atmosphere we encountered when we were there.

Many Thanks Tibi and kind Regards

Alf

GRANT

Sincere thanks for your kind words, much appreciated.

Best Regards

Alf

LEN

Auto levels, Auto Contrast, Auto Focus..........why not take it a step further we could have,  Auto composition, Auto location.........even Auto photographer :  - )

I'm no purist either, but in all honesty I perhaps skip the Auto features, because I was told "You shouldn't use them features or you will never learn how to use photoshop properly"...........well the person that made that observation had a good point, but I think it's fair to say you have an equally valid one, when the auto features can in fact be a great quick fix, and perfectly good shortcut. I agree with that sentiment entirely "the end justifies the means"

Automatic transmission eh...........suprised you haven't got Auto Pilot! lol

Cheers Len!

Alf

Beautiful image from the country of my Mother's heritage. There is much beauty to behold in this image despite the rain Alf. Excellent detail and processing. Thanks so much for sharing, especially today, kind regards, GAil

Hi Alf,

Once again another strong composition. What really makes it great for me is that waterfall, just the right shutter speed. There has been a lot of suggestions posted for this image and they are also very good in there own right but I think that is because there are so many possibilities with this image. Great work!

Warm regards. Sarah

Hi Alf, As always everything that needs to be said about this image has already been said by the many posters above. What I like about this image is your tenacity to get the image and the amazing results you achieved despite the circumstances. As always take care my friend.

Sincerely,

Holger

Kudos for the detailed reactions to all.

I can totally imagine the problems when trying to compose. The times that I wished to be just a few foot taller or wanting a hole in the ground (or longer arms) have been beyond counting.

Of all the suggestions I read I especially like the crop from the right making it more harmonious.

All the best,

Matthijs.

To me it is an awesome shot and work as it is.

Have never been in Scotland so far but have seen similar places and experienced similar moments at higher elevations in foggy weather in the Alps a lot... Hence, I can imagine at least a bit I think that these colors and lights reflect the actual situation nicely.

Maybe, as Stephen wrote, there is a slightly bluish cast, but I like it. Ok, Michael's version equipped with a more "golden touch" is also attractive (maybe more emphasizing on / recalling an autumnal scene).

Would not crop here, my eyes need the right area, too, because thus there is a good balance compared to the dominating creek in the foreground and the mountain in the background, just to provide a (better) impression of the vastness and secludedness of this wonderful scenery to the viewer. Hence, I like Tibi's compositional analysis a lot, because it nicely shows the excellent arrangement of the different shapes and lines, but I would highlight the right area in green... ;-)  

Bw, Volker

One can do a lot to change this from what it is, but, I believe this to be a relatively true representation of the highlands in the rain.  It could be warmed by any number of means, but I believe a et day in Scotland would be akin to this.  Keep up the good work and tenacity.  B/R

-Dave

GAIL

Good to hear from you, I hope you are keeping well.

I found that Scotlands beauty was amazing, despite the rain, mist & clouds, I am pleased to say it remained defiant in its splendour.

Thank you for your thoughts and comments Gail,much appreciated.

Kind Regards

Alf

SARAH

Many thanks for your thoughts and positive feedback, much appreciated.

The shutter speed was one of my main objectives, so I'm really pleased you liked the result. The composition, I was reasonably happy with, despite the intruding tree, but the processing was the real challenge, something I might attempt yet again, particularly in light of all the excellent ideas and suggestions this image has recieved. Yeah you have a goodpoint too Sarah, there are a great deal of possibilties, reassuring to know we all think differently though.

Warm Regards

Alf

HOLGER

Sincere thanks for your visit and positive feedback, much appreciated! It is interesting you mention tenacity, I merely got a soaking, wet feet and some mild discomfort. I have just read an article by Marc Adamus, who undergoes extremes of temperatures and conditions to get the most incredible images. He mentions that his work is very much a reflection of the conditions and experiences he encounters, his dedication is second to none, as indeed are his photographs. Well worth a read if you get a chance.

Warm Regards

Alf

MATTHIJS

Many Thanks

I agree, a really amazing response with some excellent feedback.

Composition wasn't too much of a problem, but I can empathise with your experiences on other images I have tried to compose, wondering where I could find a ladder or scaffold tower, or wishing the ground wasn't  soaking wet so I could lay down for the shot, however processing the image was more of the problem in this case. There are some excellent variations of the original above, and demonstrate our very different perceptions, and not least processing techniques.

Best Regards

Alf

VOLKER

Sincere thanks for your thoughtful and well considered feedback. If you ever get the opportunity to visit Scotland, I reccomend that you take it, as it is a landscape photographers heaven despite the weather, or maybe even because of it.

I tried to process the shot from the original with a good deal of my memories of how it was, I'm not sure if it was 100% succesful, the bluish cast that Stephen mentions was my attempt to cool the temperature, but I think this needs reducing, and yeah Michaels version work well as an autumnal scene. I don't think it needs much in the way of cropping either, maybe a small amount from the left if anything. I agree Tibi's method of shape recognition is well worth future contemplation when composing the shot. Yeah green is a more errm appropriate colour : - )

Best Wishes

Alf

DAVE

Good to hear from you, I hope you are keeping well.

I struggled with this one, and I don't think its a million miles away from being accurate, just a few more touches I think, or possibly a few less.

The weather here is glorious at the moment.......but this is the UK we all know it won't last!

Cheers Dave!

Alf

I like this image just as it is...:) You have captured the atmosphere of this place very well. Great work, Alf! Kind regards.

I think all of the well meaning suggestions are valid, unless you've been there.  This image captures and recalls the freshness of the cool mist on my face and the feeling of the eternal naturalness of the place.  I can almost hear the distant echos o' the pipes playin' boys!  Well done!

Alf, I like it the way it is. It certainly evokes the cool and damp very well with the muted grays and yellow/greens. I like the way the water seems to coming from behind the small hill on the right. 

ANABELA

Sincere thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts, I appreciate your encouragement and positive feedback.

Warm Regards

Alf

STEVE

Many Thanks! You have a fair point, Scotland is unique,  it's weather cycles, atmosphere and even colour of its vegetation is something you can't forget. I would imagine the presence of Golden Eagles would be another magnet to lure you back there Steve. I will definately return in October, It's an awesome place!

Cheers Steve!

Alf

TONY

Many thanks for your thoughts and positive feedback. These mountainous regions of Scotland and Wales are amazing, they spout water from every orifice, even when there has been no rain, these peat covered mountains act like giant sponges storing water and gradually releasing it into the numerous waterways. I don't exactly know the direction of the meandering stream, it could well be coming from behind that hill, but the scale of the image probably doesn't convey that the small hill is about 5 miles away.

Cheers Tony!

Alf

Took me 10mins to scroll through to the bottom:-))  of the fully deserved comments. When you have to juggle against the weather and you can still produce a production as good as this ..well it speaks for itself...very very well done Alf!!!

You will look back and think, "why did I do them all that way?"  I know lots of people like it, but it's too easy.  You should move forward.  that said, i like it, and i absolutely love the bizarre graffiti national-flag-thing attachment above! best, j

Hi Alf! This must be seen larger to be fully appreciated. This is wonderful and I am impressed with your dedication to your art. I feel chilled as I look at it; you captured the cold, dampness so well. There is so much living energy in the rushing water, so powerful, determined, and very beautiful. Those rocks are fascinating. They look familiar, are they same ones that were in "Cathy Come Home"? The only way I can imagine you improving this would be, for you to run over to that mountain and shove it to the left a mile or two.  Best wishes, Linda

KEITH

I know, took me the same to find your comment : - ) In all fairness the magnificence of the Scottish landsdcape is rarely lost in the weather, apart when you can't see anything at all of course, but it was a struggle to get a shot without a water droplet spot on the lens. Sincere thanks for your feedback Keith, much appreciated.

Best Regards

Alf

JAMIE

See! you like even though you shouldn't!  : - )  lol Now thats an achievement. Some great feedback from this posting, it's so encouraging that there are such a variety of perceptions. My sincere thanks for yours.

Best Regards

Alf

LINDA

You described it perfectly, because even though it was raining and damp, there remained a vibrance and sense of life that was quite invigorating, and it is very gratifying to know that I succeeded in conveying that atmosphere. The rocks in "Cathy Come Home" are from Yorkshire some 200 miles south of this spot, but they are probably limestone and therefore look similar. As for moving that mountain........the opening lines of Jimi Hendrix "Voodoo Child" comes to mind : - )

Sincere Thanks for your feedback Linda.

Best Regards

Alf

Very beautiful Alf, I do not think any improvement could be done to this. Your work is outstanding.