Waterfall Prism

Chris, Really beautiful and impressive. 

Beautiful work!

Fascinating shot!

Fantastic work! It approaches painting with artful p/p and light/color transaction. Really great work. Bravo.

Hamid.

wow! that seems to be a difficult exposure. you did a good job. great photo.

Amazing light and perfect composition!

Beautiful and creative. Congrats.

Really a fantastic moment and shot.

regards,

fabulous shot which i have added to my favorites. You have done a remarkable job in capturing and processing this image. I don't believe that any camera out there today is capable of capturing this image with a single shot and no processing but anything is possible. 

I am presuming that this is a skillful blend of 2 images or more with a 'special' polarizer. I am not expecting you to give away the 'cookie jar' but just wondering if you could confirm with broad strokes some of my assumptions. 

Congrats on a superb image (7)

This is one exposure- no photoshop blending or trickery.

Please note the following:

• This image has been selected for discussion. It is not necessarily the "best" picture the Elves have seen this week, nor is it a contest.
• Discussion of photo.net policy, including the choice of Photograph of the Week should not take place here, but in the Help & Questions Forum.
• The About Photograph of the Week page tells you more about this feature of photo.net.
• Before writing a contribution to this thread, please consider our reason for having this forum: to help people learn about photography. Visitors have browsed the gallery, found a few striking images and want to know things like why is it a good picture, why does it work? Or, indeed, why doesn't it work, or how could it be improved? Try to answer such questions with your contribution.

This is a very odd photograph in the sense of the optical illusion that is presented. Chris' comment under the photo suggests that there is no photoshop or other blending of images here, so we are left with a bit of a puzzle. The diagonals of this prism light do not bend with the dimensions of the subject as one would expect if this light were hitting the surfaces here and thus one must assume it is therefore "in front" of the actual scene--on a mist of water?

In any case, it is an unusual phenomenon. But for me the question is whether it is an interesting photograph? The answer is not really. Other than the "puzzle" here, I don't find the image to have much substance to be engaging. Without this light phenomenon, the image is a bit predictable and not very elegant or well composed, IMO, and the light just makes it even more awkward as a visual. So, I am just left with a bit of an immediate hit of interest because of the contrasting light but nothing that really makes me want to look further--other than maybe trying to solve that puzzle.

Your eye for nature is flawless and your photos are perfect.  I have seen nothing better in this genre.

I pity you John. Your head is so far up your photographic derrière you seem incapable of enjoying most of the photos put up on PoW. Lighten up, dude, and enjoy the sunshine. Beauty is more myriad than you care to appreciate. I'm nowhere near your level of understanding, but jeez man you're so *dour* in PoW discussions (I notice you're more positively engaged / constructive in comments on photos you choose yourself).

Chris - love it. Amazing capture.

Second the thought by Jon. Only a grinch would find this image unengaging or "predictable". To assume the absence of the light, then declare the scene "predictable" is like assuming the absence of a spectacular sunset, then declaring the beachscape predictable. We are all chsing light here. It is the one ingredient that elevates an ordinary scene. Catching it is the GOAL of the photographer, and catching splendid light like this--I'm taking the photog's word this is a single image unmanipulated--and having the knowledge to handle the extreme dynamic range is the fabulous marriage of skill and opportunity we all dream about. This is an absolutely stunning image, and well worth the distinction.

wonderful work,

I agree, that we need a good eye not only to shoot images but also a good eye to enjoy others images, this is absolutely well taken photograph and I did enjoy viewing it, the elves picked a good one which as been said do worth the discussion.

This POW is a little bit strange,obsecure.
The greatest view point is in tones,atmosphere and processing.
Best regards(Bobby).

I find this piece so eye catching that I can't quit looking at it; and that is the most successful result an artist could hope to elicit from the viewer. I too had questioned the 'realness' about how the light could not conform to the subject, as did John A., but with the answer coming forth it now makes sense. However, unlike John, it does not then make the piece less interesting to me.

John is usually quite astute in his observations, for the most part, as he pens my exact thoughts most of the time, saving me a lot of typing. This is the first one I've disagreed with on the overall feeling/end result that I get... that's cool, and as they say to each his own.

I also love the contrasts here, and the glowing white/blue of the highlights help one believe there are imaginary people's heads throughout the scene, or? I was drawn in when it was small, and blown away with it large. Wish it was mine, and I don't say that often here, or anywhere else for that matter. Well done. I noticed an excellent shot of the Aurora-Borealis, which is hard to capture properly and it looked like you mastered that too, I'm off to go check it out.

A masterpiece, I've not other words. Congratulations.

Marco

Fantastic. A dream image ....
The play of water and light is really beautiful.
The time and occasion is unique, ephemeral, ... that ensures a good image, but also you've made very well.
The diagonals of light rays, together with the diagonals that mark the small waterfalls, give a lot of rhythm to the composition.
The three touch of color of rainbows, of course, what makes it transcend.
Congratulations and thanks for sharing!

I'm not sure if I like it or not. However, it does capture & hold the viewer's attention. It's very interesting in that respect

There's a rainbow effect from the sunlight on the wall, possibly from a skylight or window source, combined with a slow shutter speed. I don't see any photoshop trickery here, just a well taken photo. Nice job.

I'm with John A. - just a bit curious about the non-bending light but overall, not very interested. I find this image aesthetically unappetizing.
About John being dour - can't agree there either. I find his examination and report thorough, educational and eloquent.
As for Chris VenHaus - I know we're supposed to comment on this week's selection by the Elves, but I never would have picked this photo as representative this photographer's capabilities. There are treasures in his trove. I just don't think this is one of them.