2da4est Loc: Pennsylvania Laurel Highlands

(hope this is in the right place, I haven't done this before)

I would like some help on getting greater impact on landscape/waterscape shots. I am never happy when I get home and look at them. I have tried many different combinations of settings and am just not happy with them. Attached is one example of a very powerful waterslide area but I have many shots that I have the same issue with.
This one was taken with a d7000 using the 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6 using auto just as an example. I typically shoot manual. I also use a d800 but usually carry the d7000 with the wide angle lens so I don't have to switch lenses. I also have a macro 1:1 lens, 70-300, 300 prime and two teleconverters 1.4 and 2x
Of course none of this is the lens its the user! Any ideas on how to better my landscape photography would greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
zora
aperture f/8
shutter speed 1/250
scene mode Auto
metrix metering
iso 320

Taken from a lower vantage point to try to emphasize the water

artwrkz Loc: Easley SC

I would have eliminated the sky from the photo as I think it distracts.

BboH Loc: s of 2/21, Ellicott City, MD

Was it you intent to capture the rocks or the water?

2da4est Loc: Pennsylvania Laurel Highlands

In this shot, I guess it was the power of the water. I do have shots where I laid on the rock as close as I could get to the water without splashing the camera and I don't like them either.
All my landscapes are boring to me.
There is a huge falls at Ohiopyle, cucumber falls that I took shots of and the falls did not look tall enough in my shots. Not impressive at all. None of them are. I want that impressive shot.

attached another shot

2da4est Loc: Pennsylvania Laurel Highlands

Good idea. Thanks.

MMC Loc: Brooklyn NY

It would be better if you post photo checking store original box. Do you have PP software? Are you using CP filter? I am sorry I tried to improve your picture with photoshop without your permission.

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

Composition is key, but a polarized filter will make a world of difference.

2da4est Loc: Pennsylvania Laurel Highlands

Sorry, posting original here.
You have my permission to edit that is fine.
I do have pp software and I can do a lot with it. But I do not think that is where my problem is. I believe it is my composition and how I am looking at things. I am also going to post one of the falls here. How do take the shot and get impact on size?

2da4est Loc: Pennsylvania Laurel Highlands

Can you describe how that would make a difference? I understand it will help with lens flare and contrast in skies but not sure how it will help with knowing how to compose for greatest impact

Picdude Loc: Ohio

Have you considered slowing down your shutter speed to blur the water movement a bit? Too slow can be a bit overdone (in my opinion) but a little blur can really highlight the water and the power behind it.

2da4est Loc: Pennsylvania Laurel Highlands

I have but I thought with the shots where I wanted to really show the power faster would be better.
Attaching one where I slowed it down on the falls.
Trouble with slowing it down sometimes, depending on my lens is hand holding it. I don't usually lug my tripod to these places. I try to set it on something near by or I squat down and use my body to hold steady. Always hard to find that sweet spot of not "too much" as I agree that can be easily done. So I take a few at different shutter speeds.
The one I am posting was at 1/60

What lens would you use for these shots? Is there a lens that would exaggerate hight or length? Making things look taller or longer?

2da4est Loc: Pennsylvania Laurel Highlands

Going back to this, I do have polarizing filters. I think I bought them and then stopped using them right away. I am thinking that it changed the exposure and I wasn't sure how to deal with that. I have dark skies here most of the time and I need every bit of light I can get. I would say it is time to get them out again and do some practicing now that I have gotten better with exposure and shooting in general.
Thanks!

Picdude Loc: Ohio

I understand your issue with hand-holding, I'm not as steady as I used to be myself.

On the tripod issue: my son and I went down to Old Man's Cave in Hocking Hills, OH this fall. Knowing that I was going to want some HDR and Panorama shots I rooted around and found an old shoulder bag strap with metal clips on each end that I was able to clip onto my tripod at one of leg adjuster screws at the bottom and a lockdown screw at the top. The strap was long enough that I could carry the tripod bandolier-style across the back, which proved to be both comfortable and secure as we climbed through rocks and crevices that were off the beaten path.

As a by product of that trip I got a monopod for Christmas that also works as a collapsible walking stick that I'm eager to try out.

As for a lens to distort and exaggerate height, I really don't know. Maybe a fish-eye lens, but that may distort too much. On the picture of the fall that you posted, you could do a severe crop on the left and right side to show the fall in portrait orientation, which would highlight the height of the drop more. On the right side about halfway between the fall and the tree in the foreground, on the left side cut out about 2/3's of the leaves and the tree trunk.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

As mentioned regarding #1, the white sky is detracting from your overall feel. Maybe try in different lighting conditions or compose to exclude it.

On the distant view of tall falls: I wouldn't slow the shutter speed on that one as part of the feeling of power would be in the fast-moving water IMO. Regarding height, you'd need something for scale that we can relate to: a person next to it, for example. Or shooting up from a lower vantage. Maybe none of those options are available to you for this setting.

Re photo #2, lower vantage point: that definitely works for me as far as powerful, rushing water. The only thing I don't care for in this composition is the out of focus rock on the right side that takes up a lot of the frame. Again, it may be you aren't able to set up in a different spot without risking limb and equipment :)

2da4est Loc: Pennsylvania Laurel Highlands

Omg climbing through rocks and over cliffs with my tripod would scare me to death. I think the monopod would be great. It is on my list! (that santa didn't open :-) )

Here is the shot cropped and yes I think that helped.