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Yaegerville Falls, Napanoch, NY - 10-12-15
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Nov 30, 2017 06:00:37   #
Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)
 
This shot combines a 3 exposure HDR with a 2 image stitch. I used a D800 and an 85mm PC-E. While considering this scene, I took a couple of shots - with a 24mm lens and a 45mm lens. Using the wider lenses gave me better depth of field, but both diminished the size of the waterfall in the background, and did not give me the composition I was looking for - particularly with the 24mm.

The other challenge was dynamic range. Even at ISO 100 the D800 struggled to bridge the dynamic range of the sun in the background shining on the rock in the top left corner and the shadows under the rocks mid-frame.

I shot a bracketed set of three images, then shifted the lens to take the second set of bracketed images. I used a bit of tilt to help get the foreground (twigs in the water) in clear focus as well as the waterfall in the background. F11 provided the height of focus I needed. I used Lightroom CC to merge the HDR and stitch the panorama, then did the usual raw adjustments - tone, white balance, color balance, shadow and highlight, white and black points, clarlty dehaze, sharpening/masking, denoising. I exported the image to Photoshop CC and used it to do some cleanup with the Spot Healing Brush, used a double pass of Unsharp Mask (first pass 25% amount, radius 75, threshold 3, second pass 200% amount, radius .6, threshold=0). The image then went into On1 Effects to do some local adjustment, add a bit of saturation to the warm colors, clean up the whites in the waterfalls, add a slight dark vignette. Total time in post processing was about 15 mins, including processing time to merge the HDRs and the panorama.

Though the image had it's challenges, nothing compared to the hike/slide down a steep and wet rocky gorge to get to this place. It was certainly worth the trip.


(Download)

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Nov 30, 2017 06:26:34   #
LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field
 
Well done. I appreciate the included work flow. This is well-worth the effort. The PC-E was an excellent choice.

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Nov 30, 2017 06:39:32   #
Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)
 
LoneRangeFinder wrote:
Well done. I appreciate the included work flow. This is well-worth the effort. The PC-E was an excellent choice.


Thanks - I thought it would be helpful - it clearly is not the only way, nor is the result the only way to treat it. I've got some ideas that I may try on this - if I like what I see, I will post a result.

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Nov 30, 2017 10:08:48   #
Rich1939 Loc: Pike County Penna.
 
Gene51 wrote:
This shot combines a 3 exposure HDR with a 2 image stitch. I used a D800 and an 85mm PC-E. While considering this scene, I took a couple of shots - with a 24mm lens and a 45mm lens. Using the wider lenses gave me better depth of field, but both diminished the size of the waterfall in the background, and did not give me the composition I was looking for - particularly with the 24mm.

The other challenge was dynamic range. Even at ISO 100 the D800 struggled to bridge the dynamic range of the sun in the background shining on the rock in the top left corner and the shadows under the rocks mid-frame.

I shot a bracketed set of three images, then shifted the lens to take the second set of bracketed images. I used a bit of tilt to help get the foreground (twigs in the water) in clear focus as well as the waterfall in the background. F11 provided the height of focus I needed. I used Lightroom CC to merge the HDR and stitch the panorama, then did the usual raw adjustments - tone, white balance, color balance, shadow and highlight, white and black points, clarlty dehaze, sharpening/masking, denoising. I exported the image to Photoshop CC and used it to do some cleanup with the Spot Healing Brush, used a double pass of Unsharp Mask (first pass 25% amount, radius 75, threshold 3, second pass 200% amount, radius .6, threshold=0). The image then went into On1 Effects to do some local adjustment, add a bit of saturation to the warm colors, clean up the whites in the waterfalls, add a slight dark vignette. Total time in post processing was about 15 mins, including processing time to merge the HDRs and the panorama.

Though the image had it's challenges, nothing compared to the hike/slide down a steep and wet rocky gorge to get to this place. It was certainly worth the trip.
This shot combines a 3 exposure HDR with a 2 image... (show quote)

I also appreciate your including the processing steps for this super photo. I also like the water! not too much cream.

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Nov 30, 2017 11:49:32   #
Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)
 
Rich1939 wrote:
I also appreciate your including the processing steps for this super photo. I also like the water! not too much cream.


Thanks Rich. When doing HDR of moving water it's hard to predict how the water will look after merging. This was one of the better ones.

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Nov 30, 2017 12:41:39   #
LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field
 
Gene51 wrote:
Thanks Rich. When doing HDR of moving water it's hard to predict how the water will look after merging. This was one of the better ones.

Moving water + HDR is a challenge, but to comment on the moving water and the longer shutter duration: this is what makes the foreground water that nice golden color. Much more aesthetically pleasing in my opinion.

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Dec 1, 2017 00:12:41   #
SalvageDiver Loc: Huntington Beach CA
 
Excellent image and PP. I love the colors reflecting off the foreground water pool.

I can sympothize with you about the hike. My wife and I do a lot of hiking around the west. Hiking, for my wife, is all about the journey and the final destination. For me, it's the photo ops along the way.

Nice work
Mike

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Dec 1, 2017 05:07:49   #
melueth Loc: Central Florida
 
Gene - thank you so much for this thoughtful and detailed workflow description on such an amazing image. Once again, i have learned much from you!! HDR and moving water has never had a great outcome for me, but you've given me hope and much to think about here. I'm heading to Western, MA in June to continue my explorations of remote waterfalls in the Berkshires. Can't wait to apply your wisdom!

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Dec 1, 2017 08:19:59   #
Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)
 
melueth wrote:
Gene - thank you so much for this thoughtful and detailed workflow description on such an amazing image. Once again, i have learned much from you!! HDR and moving water has never had a great outcome for me, but you've given me hope and much to think about here. I'm heading to Western, MA in June to continue my explorations of remote waterfalls in the Berkshires. Can't wait to apply your wisdom!


Thanks - and this may help this June:

http://www.newenglandwaterfalls.com/massachusetts.php

But try and go earlier, when the water volume is higher, and there may be some snow still on the ground - like April.

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Dec 1, 2017 08:20:57   #
Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)
 
SalvageDiver wrote:
Excellent image and PP. I love the colors reflecting off the foreground water pool.

I can sympothize with you about the hike. My wife and I do a lot of hiking around the west. Hiking, for my wife, is all about the journey and the final destination. For me, it's the photo ops along the way.

Nice work
Mike


Thanks!

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Dec 1, 2017 11:33:05   #
BboH Loc: s of 2/21, Ellicott City, MD
 
I do like the image and especially your thought process.

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Dec 1, 2017 14:15:16   #
Vince68 Loc: Wappingers Falls, NY
 
Beautiful image Gene. Thank you for sharing your compositional thought process and PP workflow.

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Dec 1, 2017 17:18:42   #
Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)
 
BboH wrote:
I do like the image and especially your thought process.


Thanks!

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Dec 1, 2017 17:18:49   #
Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)
 
Vince68 wrote:
Beautiful image Gene. Thank you for sharing your compositional thought process and PP workflow.


Thanks!

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Dec 1, 2017 19:21:37   #
melueth Loc: Central Florida
 
Gene51 wrote:
Thanks - and this may help this June:

http://www.newenglandwaterfalls.com/massachusetts.php

But try and go earlier, when the water volume is higher, and there may be some snow still on the ground - like April.


Yes! - they did a great job of locating and listing these falls. I used their list last June, after importing it to Google Sheets and then Maps.
https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1BqYYUaX38N3oK8KMRF5qEq_XKL8&ll=42.402378203339715%2C-72.25892425&z=10

I sure wish i could go earlier in the spring . . . alas, i'm still quite invested in a job with special education, and June is my earliest point of departure. This year i'll be planted in some of the best area to get sunrise and sunset shots though, even if the waters may be lower. Thanks for the thoughtful consideration, Gene.

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