This is a very difficult photo situation. I have shot this waterfall several times and not been satisfied. The right side is always black due to deep shadow. To get detail in the shadow and not burn out the trees above the falls, or moss in the forground, I used a 2 stop ND grad on its side from the left, for 3/4 of the frame. The slide shows much better detail than this scan. I think a 3 stop would be perfect. EOS 1n, tripod in the water, EF20/2.8 at F16. 2 stop Nd grad. Velvia rated at 40. Exposure time unrecorded but in the range of 4 seconds. No reciprocity correction.

-- Bill Wyman (Bill.Wyman@utas.edu.au), January 27, 1999

Answers

The falls area seems out of focus for a 20mm at f16. Some detail in the dark green areas on both the sides of the falls would really improve the image. Maybe you should just move closer and "crop" the troublesome right side out of the frame and get a better overall exposure? Your image does show that this would be a wonderful palce to spend some time exporing with your camera.

-- Larry Korhnak (lvk@gnv.ifas.ufl.edu), January 27, 1999.

I find my eye distracted by the bright white triangle of sky up top. Cropping that part off allows my eye to wander and enjoy the details of the scene.

-- Anil Mungal (mungal@ca.ibm.com), January 27, 1999.

My first reaction is to ask why it's so green. Even the water (apart from the blown out highlights) is green! Is it the scan? I don't think Velvia shifts like that at 4s exposure, and although it's in a wooded area, and the light tends to be greenish, I've never seen it quite that green.

-- Bob Atkins (bobatkins@hotmail.com), January 27, 1999.

Bob, yes it truely is that green. This waterfall is located in Mt. Field Nat. Park in Tasmania. Mt. Field Nat. Park is in part, temperate rain forest. Horseshoe Falls is one of several waterfalls I have photographed extensively and is my favorite. The vegitation on the left and right of the falls are man ferns 3-5 meters high, very cool. It is in deep shadow even on a bright day and is a real challange. This shot was taken on an overcast day. On a sunny day there is no chance. A better scan of it is on my WWW site at http://www.fortunecity.com/greenfield/garden/91.

Larry, The entire slide is in very sharp focus. The fuzzy effect is due to my scanning ability and the reduction needed to get it down to 50K. Sorry...I do have many other images from nearer and farther, right and left and even from on top looking downstream. I really like this one and, as you suggested one from a little closer. Maybe I'll post it at another time.

Thanks for the comments

Cheers

-- Bill Wyman (Bill.Wyman@utas.edu.au), January 27, 1999.

I love this image any only wish I had taken one picture this good before. However, sometimes I get a bit tired of the wide-angle lens "here is something small and close that looks really big and something big and distant that looks quite small" 'trick'. Do you (anyone reading, including Bill) find this to be the case?

Let me say again, I only wish I could make something this wonderful, so of course I will accept your better judgement :)

-- Russell Edwards (redwards@mania.physics.swin.edu.au), January 28, 1999.

Bill, You should try pulling your film 1/2 to 1 stop or so. There will be a significant reduction in overall contrast (with a cooresponding reduction in local contrast). That is to say your foreground rock will lose some of its "pop", but will most likely look natural as the overall contrast of the scene will assume a better balance. With Fuji products there would be a color shift towards magenta, which will go a ways to countering the overall green cast of the image. I understand that with 35mm it is expensive to waste a whole roll on one image (after all, you are not shooting sheet film here), but this solution would most likely produce a more satisfactory result than the ND grad.

Also, a lower contrast film (such as Astia) might be better for this application.

-- George Stocking (gwrhino@earthlink.net), January 28, 1999.