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2 AM in the middle of nowhere
2 AM in the middle of nowhere
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Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Take Two (Advanced Editing IV*)
Camera: Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT
Lens: Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM
Location: Iceland, Þingvellir
Date: Jun 4, 2006
Aperture: 11
ISO: 100
Shutter: 10 seconds
Galleries: Landscape
Date Uploaded: Jun 4, 2006

 I proccessed the same image 3 times in RAW. One with a 2300 white balance and a dark exposure to get some detail in the sky (I later desaturated it so it wouldn't be too blue). Another one had a white balance of 6900 to get the blue water. The third one had a white balance of about 12000 to get a nice color in the rocks and grass.

This picture is a reshoot of my night shot III entry which scored a 6,5 and I was quite happy with that.

What has changed is that the moon is no longer there and the picture is taken from a different angle. Another thing that has changed is that it no longer gets dark here in Iceland so the exposure is a lot brighter.

Too get the smooth water I duplicated a layer, did some gaussian blur and changed the blending mode to lighting. I then masked out everything except the water.

Statistics
Place: 10 out of 161
Avg (all users): 6.8910
Avg (commenters): 7.7619
Avg (participants): 6.6094
Avg (non-participants): 7.0870
Views since voting: 5854
Views during voting: 277
Votes: 156
Comments: 30
Favorites: 5 (view)

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AuthorThread
 06/14/2006 10:00:18 PM
Critique Club
Composition
First up, i gotta say that's an awesome picture, and i very much like the it. The first thing that strikes me is the water, which you've brought out very nicely. My only qualm with the water however is that it does seem a bit surreal, especially when compared to some of the rocks (eg in bottom right corner). The angle you've chosen allows for the viewer to see the whole waterfall very nicely, but i'm just wondering if perhaps a closer view point, or a more dramatic angle would have scored higher. Also, the bunch of rocks on the top right is a little distracting. Also, i'm not sure just what time you took the picture, but unfortunately it doesn't look like 2am (perhaps change the time a bit?), even though it might be, which might cost you a little bit on the votes.

Lighting
Although the image does set the duller, quieter sort of mood, i'm wondering if perhaps a bit brighter would have been better? But this is just a subjective thing, and personally i would have liked it slightly brighter, with perhaps something going on in the sky.

Technical
No problems here... perfectly sharp where required, great DOF.

Post processing
I love the way you've done the water, the bottom half of the picture looks very tranquil, and beautiful, but unfortunately the top does look a bit too synthetic. everything else is excellent, and I think i'm going to have to try copying your technique for water :)

Overall
Excellent shot, definately a top10 winner. Only minor qualms are that it doesn't look like 2am, and just wondering what a more lit up version would look like.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/14/2006 02:17:27 PM
Congratulations on your top ten finish! Glæsileg mynd!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/13/2006 09:47:02 PM
What a hypnotic and silky rendition! Congratulations on your top 10 finish.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/13/2006 05:26:12 PM
Awesome photograph!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/13/2006 10:19:46 AM
I also was expecting this to be in the winner's circle -- but in this challenge any photo on the front page deserves special kudos! Congratulations! This is beyond stunning!!

  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/13/2006 06:24:58 AM
This is incredible! I gave this a ten, worthy of a ribbon! Sorry to see you were underrated in my mind.

  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/13/2006 01:04:30 AM
Very nice remake! Congrats on top 10!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/13/2006 12:12:07 AM
amazing...after seeing all these beautiful pictures in Iceland, i am wanting to move there just so i can take such amazing pictures!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
06/12/2006 11:56:39 PM
Most impressive! In my top 10!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/12/2006 11:41:10 PM
Love the texture of the water! Great use of long exposure. Great work.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/12/2006 11:24:06 PM
Beautiful long exposure. Well done!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/12/2006 11:15:47 PM
Beautiful scenery although it doesn't look like it was shot at 2AM. Maybe you're one of our friends up north where the sun shines 20 hours out of the day ;) The silky smooth waters really makes this image sing. Good luck!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/12/2006 04:18:09 PM
Beautiful colors, great water shot!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/11/2006 12:34:49 AM
Great exposure.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/10/2006 12:24:44 AM
Wow.....just perfect.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/09/2006 01:35:13 PM
Nice
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/08/2006 11:07:59 PM
wow, that is what comes to mind when i saw this.... love the effects with the waterfall. 10~
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/08/2006 07:04:43 PM
This is just beautiful 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/08/2006 08:52:08 AM
In the center of the Western World to be precise!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/08/2006 05:47:25 AM
A magnificent waterfall shot - just a shame the sky hadn't been more interesting that night. Still gets a 9 from me.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/07/2006 05:27:14 PM
Wow .. look at that sky at 2 am ... here it is always dark no matter what season it is.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/07/2006 07:38:05 AM
Breathtaking...
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/06/2006 03:46:24 PM
how is it so light out at 2am? Sweet shot BTW!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/06/2006 02:38:18 PM
Nice photo, nice technique, just doesn't look like a 2 a.m. photo...should have the moon in it, or something, it seems like... 6...
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/06/2006 02:23:43 PM
eeiry. the only bad part is the inconsistency. Looking at the bottom of the fall it looks big and real, but he top makes it look small and synthetic, almost like a model
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/06/2006 02:18:36 PM
Silky white and very dreamy looking. Very cool and very beautiful. Great job!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/06/2006 01:07:58 PM
After seeing many long exposure waterfall shots the flow of water in this shot still suprises and intrigues me. Great shot.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/06/2006 01:02:15 PM
Oh man! You're killing me with this photo!!! It's spectacular and I want to be there!!! What an outstanding photo!!! I don't remember the first one, but it's hard to imagine that this one isn't better! I LOVE those blues!!!!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/06/2006 09:22:14 AM
don't recall the original, but this looks fantastic and I hope you do well with this

This is spectacular and deserves to finish in the top 5
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/06/2006 07:58:52 AM
nice use of slow speed.
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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