I proccessed the same image 3 times in RAW. One with a 2300 white balance and a dark exposure to get some detail in the sky (I later desaturated it so it wouldn't be too blue). Another one had a white balance of 6900 to get the blue water. The third one had a white balance of about 12000 to get a nice color in the rocks and grass.
This picture is a reshoot of my night shot III entry which scored a 6,5 and I was quite happy with that.
What has changed is that the moon is no longer there and the picture is taken from a different angle. Another thing that has changed is that it no longer gets dark here in Iceland so the exposure is a lot brighter.
Too get the smooth water I duplicated a layer, did some gaussian blur and changed the blending mode to lighting. I then masked out everything except the water.
Statistics
Place: 10 out of 161 Avg (all users): 6.8910 Avg (commenters): 7.7619 Avg (participants): 6.6094 Avg (non-participants): 7.0870 Views since voting: 5984 Views during voting: 277 Votes: 156 Comments: 30 Favorites: 5 (view)
Critique Club Composition
First up, i gotta say that's an awesome picture, and i very much like the it. The first thing that strikes me is the water, which you've brought out very nicely. My only qualm with the water however is that it does seem a bit surreal, especially when compared to some of the rocks (eg in bottom right corner). The angle you've chosen allows for the viewer to see the whole waterfall very nicely, but i'm just wondering if perhaps a closer view point, or a more dramatic angle would have scored higher. Also, the bunch of rocks on the top right is a little distracting. Also, i'm not sure just what time you took the picture, but unfortunately it doesn't look like 2am (perhaps change the time a bit?), even though it might be, which might cost you a little bit on the votes.
Lighting
Although the image does set the duller, quieter sort of mood, i'm wondering if perhaps a bit brighter would have been better? But this is just a subjective thing, and personally i would have liked it slightly brighter, with perhaps something going on in the sky.
Technical
No problems here... perfectly sharp where required, great DOF.
Post processing
I love the way you've done the water, the bottom half of the picture looks very tranquil, and beautiful, but unfortunately the top does look a bit too synthetic. everything else is excellent, and I think i'm going to have to try copying your technique for water :)
Overall
Excellent shot, definately a top10 winner. Only minor qualms are that it doesn't look like 2am, and just wondering what a more lit up version would look like.
I also was expecting this to be in the winner's circle -- but in this challenge any photo on the front page deserves special kudos! Congratulations! This is beyond stunning!!
Beautiful scenery although it doesn't look like it was shot at 2AM. Maybe you're one of our friends up north where the sun shines 20 hours out of the day ;) The silky smooth waters really makes this image sing. Good luck!
eeiry. the only bad part is the inconsistency. Looking at the bottom of the fall it looks big and real, but he top makes it look small and synthetic, almost like a model
Oh man! You're killing me with this photo!!! It's spectacular and I want to be there!!! What an outstanding photo!!! I don't remember the first one, but it's hard to imagine that this one isn't better! I LOVE those blues!!!!!
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