Hunting the Hunter

As I was standing around and "waiting my turn", I decided to take a

few shots of this photographer getting his shots, since I really liked

the light that was falling at that time. This ended up being the

photo I chose from this series, partly because it contained the best

light (the golden sunlight exited when this photographer left, as if

he took it with him), and partly because I like how the three humans

in this photo are all photographers (the guy in front and the couple

on the bridge). Comments welcome.

I like very much it...

great composition with the two trees and colors and contrast are really good

Sometimes the shot you plan is not the one you end up with, so it's important to keep an open mind and look for other opportunities.  You did well in this one. This is an interesting photo that tells a story, but still reveals the beauty of the surroundings you aimed to capture.  Nicely done. Regards - michel

Interesting pic; great exposure and composition.  Very effective.

Mike:  I agree with Michel.  You told a story and the photo is also well composed and lighted.  Thanks for putting your name on the mating instead of in  the picture and taking away from its beauty and impact.  Well done.  Alan.

Thanks for all of the great comments.

I cannot understand the rating average of 4.33/7. For me, the composition is excellent; the triangle consisting of the two trees and the bridge drawing the attention to the photographer in the foreground. I also love the sunbeams falling through the tress. The only possible minus I can see is some flatness in colors and, again, some blown-out highlights in the water. But that's of little significance only. I would definitely not rate it below 5.

Kind regards, Alex

I already posted that I thought this was a great shot.  But it wouldn't be a shot I would hang on my wall because the photographer in it is not someone I know.  That probably accounts for the low scoring.  (I don't score, only critique).  People score this based on a factor that its a traditional landscape shot.  It isn't.  This photo is more of an editorial picture.  This would be a great shot for the county to put in their travel brochure to encourage photographers to come to their county to get some really great photographs.  A photographer could see him or herself as the person in the picture standing in a beautiful spot by beautiful falls getting a wonderful picture with great lighting as was shown this photo.  By the way.  Where is this falls.  I might go myself!  Alan

Alex - Thanks for the additional feedback.  I'm curious if the "flatness" you describe is due to the differences in our monitors, as on mine it looks nicely saturated (assuming the lack of saturation is what you define as "flat").  In either case, I've attached a revised version where I've bumped the saturation a little.  Let me know if you think this helps.

Alan - I like your idea of having this in a country brochure. :-) I might look into that.  The larger idea of whether this counts as a landscape because there are people in it (especially a prominent person in the foreground) has always been interesting to me.  I can see why some people would prefer their landscapes to be "unmarred" by people, but there are others who like to see people in them, so long as the people aren't specific (i.e. with recognizable faces) as it allows them to place themselves inside the scene.  Whenever I put people in my landscapes, I try to keep them "generic".  So this guy, as you suggested, is the photographer in all of us, capturing a beautiful scene (which is Sol Duc Falls in the Olympic National Forest in Washington State, by the way).

Mike:  And it has a portrait format-great for a magazine cover shot.  I could see the caption now:"Come to Olympic National Forest and put yourself in this picture."  Figures it's in Washington State 3000 miles away from my NYC home.  Why are all the really pretty places on the west coast?  Alan.

Alan - I suspect there are some beautiful spots out by you too. :-)  My wife, who studied in Boston for a few years, insists that I have to see New England in the Fall...that I would be in photographic heaven.  But yes, the Pacific Northwest is a gorgeous place to visit and photograph.