Ithaca, NY - Fall Pics! - DPChallenge Forums

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

11/22/2010 10:40:12 AM · #1

I was in Ithaca in early October for a few days, and I visited and took pictures at Ithaca Falls, Buttermilk Falls, Taughonnock falls, and Watkins Glen.

You have already seen this...

But now I am finally working on processing and prints for the best shots from those locations. I rarely post like this here, mainly because I wait until after the eligible free study, but partly because I too rarely get back to editing the batch of shots! But there's a fair number of shots in there with potential, so as I process them, I thought I'd run them through here for comments/critiques.

Since I won't be able to make big prints of them all, besides any technical critique, I'm looking for the ones that have the most appeal. (The Autumn Riches one is definitely going to print...I'm going to make a canvas print, maybe a standout.)

I'll post them piecemeal as I get them, but here are the first few... (I tried to post this all last night, and before I could finish, the site was hosed!).

Note that I wanted the black borders here for contrast (things look better on black.) The border is exta width...full 800 pixels height/width is there, but you need to view full size to see it.)

Engorged:

A Cut in Time: (I need a better title than that...ideas?)

More to come...let me know what you think, please.

Adz

Nikon D80

11/22/2010 10:45:18 AM · #2

The first one is really nice. The POV is very original and something I've never seen before. The second one is still excellent but it seems a bit dark for my liking.
Both are really nice, keep them coming.

cryan

Nikon D700

Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro for Nikon

11/22/2010 10:57:26 AM · #3

Both are outstanding shots Neil. however I'm really liking the first shot. Very original perspective and the feel of the shot comes across like something you might see from a Hollywood movie. maybe a scene from "King Kong".

SandyP

Canon EOS-5D Mark IV

Canon EF 200mm f/2.8 USM

11/22/2010 11:52:54 AM · #4

Great job, Neil! One of my best buds

ButterflySis lives there, so I've seen many beautiful pictures of those falls. You totally did them justice! We're trying to get up there next year to check out the area for ourselves. You've certainly inspired me!

sfalice

Canon PowerShot SX60 HS

11/22/2010 04:12:12 PM · #5

You are taking splendid images of my old stamping grounds, Neil. I lived in the Syracuse area for a long time and my guy graduated from Cornell. Watkins Glen? Well sure, and plenty of stories to tell about camping out during the early sports car races at the Glen.

Okay, 'nuff reminiscing.

A Cut in Time (A Cut Through time?): Lovely, moody and rich colors. Has a sort of 'old masters' painterly quality to it. One thing that caught my eye immediately (and I see these things easily for some reason) is the face in the lower part of the cliff. Sometimes when I find such a thing, I adjust a shadow or two to remove it. Sometimes not.

Engorged(Powerful Force?): Dramatic and compelling. One is drawn into the picture and held there, mesmerized, tracing the water's path.

kirbic

Canon EOS R5

Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS

11/22/2010 08:07:01 PM · #6

Originally posted by nshapiro:

...A Cut in Time: (I need a better title than that...ideas?)

More to come...let me know what you think, please.

How about "Slicing Through Time"?

Really nice work Neil...
Seeing your photos from Watkins renews my desire to go back. the last time I photographed there was, maybe, 2003, and I had limited time in less than desirable light.

11/23/2010 02:32:14 AM · #7

Thank you all. That helps to see I'm on the right track. I was a bit worried the last one (A cut in time) was too dark, but I like the mystique and feel it adds. But we'll have to see how it prints, and how it looks on different monitors.

I have a few really long exposures at Buttermilk falls. Here's one I worked tonight...

All comments welcomed...this one may also be too dark...

"Buttermilk Swirl"

Fritz, certainly a better title than mine, but it also gives me another idea...

"Carved by Time"
or "Nature's Path"

Message edited by author 2010-11-23 02:37:20.

sfalice

Canon PowerShot SX60 HS

11/23/2010 10:36:02 AM · #8

Another lovely rendition of the area.
It would make a fiendishly difficult jigsaw puzzle.
And yes, maybe a little dark, especially on the right...

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 USM

11/23/2010 12:38:18 PM · #9

Thanks...here's a lighter version...better?

RayEthier

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

11/23/2010 12:55:11 PM · #10

Originally posted by nshapiro:

Thanks...here's a lighter version...better?

A very nice image my friend but if there are a few things that catch my eye:

- The focus on the leaves on the right hand side seems a tad soft; and,
- The light shining on the stones on the left hand side is such that my attention is really drawn to that one spot.

In closing, I do prefer the lighter version, notwithstanding the fact that it does tend to accentuate the light shining on the stone.

Beautiful images,

Ray

eqsite

Nikon D7100

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED

11/23/2010 01:04:21 PM · #11

These are great, Neil. It really is challenging getting even lighting in those gorges. You need to pick your time of day carefully or work with overcast skies (which I know wasn't an option for you). Still, you've got such a great, fresh perspective in these that it's inspired my to head back into the gorges next change I get.

11/23/2010 09:37:01 PM · #12

Here's another...

This is the falls downstream of Taughannock falls. I'm not sure if it has it's own name. But I call it "fishing gold":

It's a four second exposure, and those two people hardly moved. It's not my favorite of the set, and I got an even better fisherman later, but I liked the reflections, and once again, I was trying to record the swirls. Let me know what you think.