Bishop Creek in the rain, fall season.

I love the color and content, and would be proud to say I took this photo. However, it leaves me feeling like some improvement in composition might have added a little to the final result.

 

First, the stream smack dab in the middle does not feel right. Composed to the right or left in some way may have made more sense of "balance" rather than the feeling I have of the stream being a "centered fulcrum" of the shot.

 

Also the vegatation composition and inclusion might have been improved. The trees on the left seem a little cut off, on the right there's some green but nothing complete enough to show a full tree or completeness to the greenery. Lastly, that yellow bush sticking up from the center pulls the eye down and adds nothing.

 

Could a wider angle lens have brought more complete "shapes" in with the trees or would it have changed the whole prepective too much? I wonder.

 

Nonetheless, very nice colors, nice stream and nice textures in the rocks. Overall, I really like it. I hope I do not sound too critical- just want to share my thoughts as I would hope anyone else would on my photos.

I must agree with the gentleman. Perhaps a wider lens may have included more detailed shapes. I fail to see the effect of the 'rain' in the photo however, nonetheless, quite nice.

I gave this the title hoping others would see the result of rain and the light. If you notice, there are no dark shadows and high contrast like we see in so many images where the photographers do not know the films they are using and get caught up in the scene itself. I know my film and the lighting to use for the best results. Also, if you look to the back of this scene you will see the packed in clouds which were to the left as well and I was not going to show that in this image as they are not going to add much other than white or semi white space. Also, the dark rock on the left continued up the slope and really was not as in tune with this feeling here in the rest of the image. I found the canyon rock on the right side much more interesting since there is plenty of detail due to the excellent lighting here at this time which it is raining. I used a wide lens (24mm) for this scene and because of the rain and subsequent wet rock, was unable and unwilling to get myself slipping down the rocks into this creek. I did go into the creek and shoot from there but not this scene. I included the yellow aspen in the foreground rock to add more color as the trees are getting past their peak and dropped many of the fall leaves due to again the rain. I am going back this year and will shoot this scene again (with my 4x5) at an earlier time for more color and hopefully the aspens will co-operate along with the weather. Thank you for adding the comments here and bringing up these points. Dale Proctor

I don't know if it's me, and I really do like the photo, but it seems a bit cluttered to me for some reason.

I like the photo Dale. We have similar country here in New Zealand. The one problem I have is the way my eye is drawn out of the frame at the bottom right hand corner, along with the water.

If you print a copy of this maybe try darkening the white water in the creek a tad. But still a

nice example of this type of country

I like it. I sometimes think we get hung up on "rules". I like the creek where you put it,a slight diagional. Looks great to me.

I personaly like this photo. I think it's good to move away from "rules" in some cases. I think this is a good example. The streem may be in the middle of the picture however it is diagonal enough to look good. I like how the whole photo has a feeling of "depth". Almost like looking down a valley. Not one part of it is flat. The dark rocks on the left veer up the hill. The rocks on the right slope out of the sceen with the river. The river has trees spaning over it near and far off, with a touch of the sky included. The photo does have a complex look to it, but I enjoy looking at complex images.

 

Great photo Dale!

I like this photo, I have been in many situations where it is wet, and you are looking upside down, and backwards (large format camera) through the finder, and it is easy to be a monday morning quarterback....give the guy a break, I've seen similar photos on Hallmark cards....don't they care enough to send the very best???

The texture of the rocks against the water is really interesting. I think the composition is great - the diagonal creek works well. The lighting really is great.

I actually like the creek centered as opposed to offset, as has been suggested. If the creek were to be offset, you would have to sacrifice one of the distinctly different rock formations. I think the difference in aestetics of each side of rock is interesting, and would hate to see either one not included.

 

I like it. The impression of wet rocks and rain is very strong, I can almost feel the damp air... However, there's something disturbing in this image, maybe too many details, structures, ... In comparison to the softly flowing water the contrast seems rather big. I don't want to criticize, just describing my feelings; it might be an aim to create a resless and kind of disturbing atmosphere. I like your photo. Thanks.

There is a lot to be said for a symmetrical composition - not everything has to be divided neatly into thirds. On one side of the creek you have the trees, on the other a darker section of the rock that balances them. The outer rocks on both sides are much the same value. This gives a balanced composition which I find very appealing. Plus of course the colours are mahvellous . . . very nice!

I consistently ignore the "suggestion of thirds" when it's convenient. I very much enjoy the even distribution of contrast here; in or just after the rain is the best time to shoot water against rock. I would like to see your results from 4x5.

 

As for the above comment about not seeing the rain -- it's hard enough to catch rain on film without a high-speed exposure, strobes, and copious amounts of descnding moisture. It's nigh impossible at long shutter speeds such as this (I'm guessing a second or more) unless you're in a hurricane / typhoon, or have a hose.

If a photograph evokes an emotional response that

brings joy to the viewer, then it is very good,

and the photographer has done his job well. The technicals (thirds, or diagonals etc.) are important, true. But this photo took my breath away. So, to this viewer, the photo is VERY GOOD. Bravo, Dale!

Some people really need to get a life (#1 falls into this category) and some people will agree with anything to make it look like they had a comment rather than have to come up with their own thoughts (like #2). I was truly happy when I read your response and those that followed yours. The first two comments took away the wonderful feeling that the picture had given to me and thats a real shame. I along with all the others feel that this picture is superb (whether it is technically right or wrong does not really matter). It is the inner peaceful feelings that the picture itself evokes in others that is of utmost importance. A picture that can touch the soul of others will be remembered forever by many and those who cannot see the beauty in it will continue to make comments. Keep up the good work!

i like it. i think it looks like a painting.

I liked it immediately and continued to like it; so it's good.

 

 

Everyone for leaving comments here on this picture. I am headed up to the Sierra again to shoot more fall color images now and will be posting more in my folder here at photo.net You can also come to my web site for a look at more of California's scenic nature.

 

 

 

http://www.californiapictures.com/

Composition is fine, river cuts through diagonally

is always nice. Great Color. Trees are best done

with cloudy light or early, otherwise you'll have

too many shadows and bright areas. This is perfect. But, what I can't see on the web image

is whether the leaves are really still. If they

are still, you waited for a lull in the wind,

then it should be a great pic. Now, try this with

8x10 and I'd be real impressed. I was just up to my elbows in Aspens between Woods lake and Caples lake on hwy 88 1hour away from Tahoe, week of Oct 7. Real nice yellow, and starting orange color.

Very windy though, making it especially hard at 1/15 at f32 w/ 8x10. But remember with Aspens,

wind usually stops after a big gust finishes.

 

www.marchinglight.com

 

the effect of water flowing and looking like cream is a facsinating subject.the water looks great.what apperture and speed did you use.(i have just begun taking photos so i think silly questions like that i can get away with).lovely yellowish colour on the leaves well balanced photo.the negative part of it is the colours are a little dull in my eyes,and thus sometimes gives a negative effect.overall a brilliant picture deserves to be framed.

this picutre would be absolutely gorgeous in a misty environment...creates a fantasy sorta air, but i like the colors in this one.

i never see this type of photo.very good composing

good contrast. ithink this is beautiful photo

you can't improve on nature...

simply beautiful