Rocks in Creek

*wtlwdwgn* · 10-25-2009, 03:58 PM

Taken with a slow shutter speed to get some shimmering water over some colorful river rock. DA*50-135.

*Ash* · 10-25-2009, 04:18 PM

Good start Steve.
You may have wanted the shimmer to be smoother, in which case a slower shutter speed, like 1-2secs, may have been your intent. To get a sharp shot, you'd have to have the camera mounted on a tripod.
The colours seems to have a slight bluish hue to them, which may be reflective - and may well have needed a CP-L to eliminate that.
The subject matter is dispersed throughout the frame making the eye wonder around looking for something to hone to. Perhaps framing the shot with a few more prominent stones on the backdrop of a pleasant non-distracting scene may have helped here.

*wtlwdwgn* · 10-25-2009, 04:34 PM

Thanks Ash. I agree there is no central focal point as I was trying for an abstract mosaic type of image. The blue cast is likely from the intense blue sky. I did use a tripod. To have used a longer shutter speed I would've needed an ND or CPL filter neither of which I had with me (no excuse!).

*Jimbo* · 10-25-2009, 04:40 PM

I like the shot Steve for the reason you shot it with the slow shutter speed. It does add to the image. JIM

*dadipentak* · 10-25-2009, 08:33 PM

I think you've done well, Steve. I'm on the fast shutter speed side when it comes to water. The faster speed here gives more definition to the "shimmer"--a matter of personal preference, I guess. I understand your point about the mosaic but I agree with Ash--even when you're not showing anything in particular, you have to provide the eye some sort of anchor &/or frame. It can be very subtle but it has to be there. Getting a shot that does that and still has the quality of randomness you're after is hard--but very rewarding (I'm told ;~)

**Damn Brit** · 10-25-2009, 08:56 PM

I like the transition from the bottom up, first clear, then the light shimmer and then blurred at the top. It does need a focal point to balance it though.

RoxnDox · 10-26-2009, 10:21 AM

I like it just the way it is

But then, I'm one of those oddball geologist types who think a picture of a whole bunch o' rocks is perfect all by itself without needing any particular focal point

This would make a great wallpaper image on the computer.

Jim

*wtlwdwgn* · 10-26-2009, 03:37 PM

Originally Posted by RoxnDox

This would make a great wallpaper image on the computer.

Jim

As a matter of fact I have done just that.

Thanks for the C&C. I'll have to look at trying to include a focal point. It'll be a year before I can reshoot though after the winter and then the spring runoff.