micro waterfall 1

This is a picture I took last month at the Dworshak Resevoir in Idaho.

The environment here is nearly exactly what I wanted to present, as

how I saw and felt about the area. However, I could have "improved"

this image further by removing a stick here and there. After cleaning

up this little scene, there would not be any distractions for the

observer of the image. Should I go back and perfect this shot, or

leave in the inevitable randomness of nature? Please comment.

I like this picture. As to whether to preen the sticks, I think they give a great indication of scale. Without them it may be confusing.

 

I think the few sticks I see there add a lot to the image. When I am out in the woods, whether hiking, camping or photographing, I disturb as little as possible -- that includes moving sticks and similar deadwood (frequently dead wood seems to be someone's home!). I enjoy the challenge of making the photo with the scene "as is" -- I see myself as more of a documentarian than a groundskeeper! Most importantly, I also want to leave nature as much as possible as it was when I found it...the other points are my personal choice, but this last one is a principle that I wish more hikers and photographers would follow.

Wonderful image -- did you try any without the motion blur on the water?