To Crop Or Not To Crop, And If So Where: This shot was taken some time ago, in a patch of rainforest near my home, late one afternoon, hence the gloomy light. I have always liked the...

conkerwood

This shot was taken some time ago, in a patch of rainforest near my home, late one afternoon, hence the gloomy light. I have always liked the pic, particularly because it was a bit of a lucky shot, no tripod, just an old post to lean on, but there wasn't a breath of wind so a long exposure for the water and for the low light didn't end up with blur from moving leaves. You can get lucky sometimes. But much as I like the chaos of the the blocking trees following heavy rain, the balance doesn't feel quite right. I put the pic aside for a while and have just come back to it with fresh eyes and at the same time I noticed this section on UHH which I hadn't posted to before. So I would appreciate any thoughts.

Regards

Peter

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

What I think is good about this photo:
Although it is a very busy composition, it is not a confusing image. Which is often not the case with rugged wilderness shots. With this one, you still get a sense of space, and individual objects and elements with the picture are easily identified as such. I think lighting, contrast and level of saturation have much to do with it. A nice photo.

No, I don't think it really needs cropping.

R.G. Loc: Scotland

conkerwood wrote:

....But much as I like the chaos of the the blocking trees following heavy rain, the balance doesn't feel quite right....

Hi, Pete. I think it never will look right, for the reason that you say - too chaotic (i.e. too messy) - and it's not a balanced mess. I can't envision a crop that will leave this shot looking balanced.

You ask about cropping, but I think it needs the opposite. The shot should have been taken wider. If that takes attention off of the stream, I would have done a vertical shot, showing more of the stream in the foreground and more of the creek in the background.

I've been in a very similar situation myself, and there's something magical about being "in" a scene like that. However, the only way to convey that feeling is to shoot wide, despite the fact that the fallen trees are screaming "Shoot me close!".

Bob Yankle Loc: Burlington, NC

I agree with the folks who say leave it as is. I tried a whole host of different crops, but they only served to "shave a little off the edges" and ending up taking out elements that actually added interest to your photo. My opinion: no new cropping.

Bmac Loc: Long Island, NY

Here's a crop Pete where I tried to eliminate some of the background confusion and bring the waterfall in as the focal point by using elements of the forest to frame it. I also sharpened, increased structure, lightened shadows a tad and warmed. Just another view you may like, or not. :)

Uncropped

Cropped & Edited

magicray Loc: Tampa Bay, Florida

I like Bmac's crop. He beat me to it. Looks like HDR. Is it? Beautiful colors and contrast. The lighting and IQ are excellent.

Bmac Loc: Long Island, NY

magicray wrote:

I like Bmac's crop. He beat me to it. Looks like HDR. Is it? Beautiful colors and contrast. The lighting and IQ are excellent.

Not HDR, but did lighten the shadows some. The photographer gave me a beautiful waterfall to work with. 8-)

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Bmac wrote:

Here's a crop Pete where I tried to eliminate some of the background confusion and bring the waterfall in as the focal point by using elements of the forest to frame it. I also sharpened, increased structure, lightened shadows a tad and warmed. Just another view you may like, or not. :)

Very pleasing image. You know your stuff, Bmac :)

lightchime Loc: Somewhere Over The Rainbow

I also thought that the original was a bit busy and was lacking in visual focus.

I liked Bmac's crop to accent the water area. I felt, however that the vision could be more refined so I made an additional small crop. I removed the rock area in the foreground - I believe this more accentuates the water because they were a minor distraction. Although I do not feel that the logs on the upper left were a severe distraction after the original crop, they now provide some framing to increase the feeling of depth and make the image more tailored.

I believe that what I have done is consistent with the original request. I thank Bmac for providing the original stepping stone.

Sorry, the image did not come through as anticipated, but I will continue with the narrative.

conkerwood

Very interesting responses for which I thank you all. The opinions ranging from 'too busy' to 'don't crop at all' to 'a crop which made the waterfall focus' are all thoughts that i have had about the pic at various times. I like Bmac's crop and lightchime's suggestions also seem to be going in the same direction and they have produced a pleasing pic, in fact probably the best pic that could have come from the pic that I posted. But I still find myself drawn to the original story of the jammed up logs after a flooding rain rather than a beautiful waterfall, which I guess brings me to R.G.'s suggestion of shooting wide. I shall return, its a favourite spot with tripod in hand. Again, many thanks for the input.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

conkerwood wrote:

This shot was taken some time ago, in a patch of r... (show quote)

I think this could be about six fine pictures, but as is, it's way too busy. I have cropped it and converted it to monochrone. I know I took out too much and again changed the theme of the entire scene. But remember, this is but ond jewel I saw in what is potentially a treasure box.

conkerwood

Mogul wrote:

I think this could be about six fine pictures, but as is, it's way too busy. I have cropped it and converted it to monochrone. I know I took out too much and again changed the theme of the entire scene. But remember, this is but ond jewel I saw in what is potentially a treasure box.

A nice analogy, I like that. Always good to see through someone else's eyes.

Peter

UP-2-IT Loc: RED STICK, LA

conkerwood wrote:

This shot was taken some time ago, in a patch of r... (show quote)

Everthing appears to fit in the picture quite well, non of the usuall confusion ffrom background, sky etc. As far as cropping is concerned I can't really see where the picture would benefit from any cropping.

R.G. Loc: Scotland

conkerwood wrote:

....But I still find myself drawn to the original story of the jammed up logs after a flooding rain rather than a beautiful waterfall, which I guess brings me to R.G.'s suggestion of shooting wide....

Hi, Pete. I thought I'd take the liberty of posting a shot of the scene that I was talking about. I think it benefits from the fact that the fallen trees are contained completely within the shot. (Perhaps this won't be an option for you). This is straight from camera, so please ignore the telegraph pole and wires.

I can remember having to force myself to back off, because my initial impulse was to get right in amongst the trees. And no, I didn't cut the top off of the trees so that they would fit into the shot.... honest.... :-)

Straight from camera - please ignore colourless sky and telegraph pole :-)

Nightski

Peter, I have to be completely honest with you. This is a shot I would not have taken. It is too messy with the fallen debris. The waterfall is beautiful, to be sure, but the clutter ruins it for me.