IMG_5398g

I realize this photo is extremely dark and as a consequence of that

some of the background detail is lost... but I liked that effect. Any

thoughts or suggestions are as always much appreciated.

Dear Chris,

I like it!..I think exposure is one of the important tools we have in creating the ambience of a given scene and what you have done here works. I also find that sometimes it seems we loose just a little light uploading, so if an image is "borderline" on exposure it might go over the edge on the upload...have you had that sense, or is it just me?

Either way, I find your use of light in this image to be very engaging. Darkness and shadow are part of visual art as silence is part of music.

Tim

Thanks to all who commented!

Chris, if I may weigh in. David duChemin makes a statement in one of his books, I believe it is Within the Frame. He says (paraphrased) that we have a great deal of latitude in getting exposure correct but we have very limited latitude in getting our ‘vision’ captured. Vision, IMO, always trumps conventional photographic wisdom. Personally, I feel, and I believe this is the case in your photograph, black is the most important color in a photograph—a rich black. It is where we can put what we do not want the viewer to see or to concentrate on. It is what we use to be sure that what we want to convey to the viewer is the most attracting part of the image. You have used black here to do both. I would much rather see an image with plugged blacks than to see an image that is less than what the photographer saw and felt at the moment of conception.

The blackness gives a wonderful sense of awe and power to this photograph.

Chris, the black parts are no problem for me. They help the composition, and they look like a natural vignetting. The blacks were unavoidable in a single exposure, if you exposed more, the water would be blown out. I like the mysterious atmosphere the darkness around the waterfall brings about. Best regards. Peter

Chris, I don't think this is underexposed at all.  The white of the falling water is just as bright as it can and should be.  There's enough light in the background that I know what's going on.  Plus, you haven't made it so entirely obvious that I don't have to think about what I'm seeing, and that engages me more in your photograph.  I think your work is excellent.

Thanks everyone.. I value all your input immensely.

Simple and beautiful.