Terrestrial Light and Magic

Finally got lighting cooperative enough to photograph this small waterfall and pool the way I want it. I admit to pushing a couple of these in Lightroom a bit to accentuate the sense of drama in a serene setting that I hope to convey. Yes, those are water spots on the filter...it was rather splashy. Originally I took them out, but then put them back in since it conveys something of the physicality of the place.

http://wickeddark.smugmug.com/Nature...9_JEoWi-XL.jpg

http://wickeddark.smugmug.com/Nature...4_hASYB-XL.jpg

Of course I have to do one black and white version -
http://wickeddark.smugmug.com/Nature...9_8sx2t-XL.jpg

And now for the total perspective vortex (fairy cake not included) -
http://wickeddark.smugmug.com/Nature...3_mfxzg-XL.jpg

And a really cool detail giving the illusion of a lone tree silhouette and star trails -
http://wickeddark.smugmug.com/Nature...8_AS92A-XL.jpg

All taken with the E-30 and the amazing ZD 12-60mm lens mounted on my 25-year-old tripod. A polarizing filter brought out the best in the pool itself, eliminating the harshest of the glare. A couple friends buzzed on by me in search of more and better things downstream and missed out on what I consider to be a great location and one I hope I've done justice to. Thanks for checking it out. Comments welcome.

a magical place to be sure. Love the whirlpools. I think my favourites are #2 and 4.

well done

These are awesome WD! :clap:
Love the swirls! Neat stuff!

That whirlpool is seriously cool!! Never seen anything quite like that before!

thanks guys. the Whirlpool one is a 20 second exposure and it made Explore on Flickr. A first for me.

Was it the 4th shot (2nd last) that got into Explore? That's a seriously nice shot that one.

yeah, that was the one MA. It's sort of a strange experience, but I'm glad at least it's over a picture I deliberated and spent time creating.

Well it's not only a cool scene with a unique element in it (the whirlpool) bit it's well taken also. I love the little green bonzai in it as well :)

thanks MA, I call that the Charlie Brown tree. It had to be in there, not only for its own merits, but to balance the composition. My photographer friend came by 1/2 hour later (while I was taking the down view of the falls) and almost trampled the poor thing. I had to tell him to lay off. : )

Horrors! That tree is precious!