[Rob Barron]

Just spent a delightful week in Wales on the Gower Peninsular and whilst there we took a trip out to find this beautiful spot. We went to Aberdulais Falls first but were a bit disappointed so we asked if there were other falls nearby and the lovely lady pointed us to this one.

This is exactly as the shot came from the camera, obviously with the frame added!

Cheers,
Rob

[sweet_sac]

Aye, quite good. Seen it it a million times though Rob! Maybe thats saying more about Pixalo's quality than anything though.

With shots like this i want to see some weird angles or something just to make it look THAT bit original.

I still love you though.

[Rob Barron]

I chose this composition very carefully for the following reasons:

~ I wanted the line of the waterfalls vertical drop and then pouring away diagonally to the left which then works as a lead-in line

~ I liked the way the leaves drop in 'threads' on the left of the picture, naturally mirroring the fall of the water

~ I wanted to use the foliage to create a natural framing of the main subject. There was so much foliage in my face I had to make a very precarious crossing of wet rocks carrying £1500 worth of gear to get into a position where a decent shot was possible. I was still stood with water lapping around my right foot as it was!

~ I wanted a traditional shot, not something funky or weird.

This photo is going into my poster portfolio (some of the long-standing regs on here will know I make posters using my pics with added words and sell them professionally) and despite only finishing it 3 days ago has already resulted in several sales. I know it might be more modern but the fact is weird angles are appreciated by photographers on fora like this but the rest of the world actually prefers the relatively mundane as long as it looks good!

I guess it goes to prove the old adage: take for your market. I love doing fun stuff to see how things can look different but I rarely get sales from them and sales is what pays for L series lenses LOL!

Don't get me wrong Sweet_Sac, I completely understand what you are saying and even agree with you as a photographer. But the fact is I go with the shots that put food on the table and glass on the front of my camera

Cheers,
Rob

[sweet_sac]

Damn right Rob I 100% understand that to the non-photographer this photograph will sell by the bucketload! It's difficult to comment when you see this shot on Pixalo a few times a week but you are right, people love it and will buy it!

To be fair, I think I would appreciate this a whole lot more if the image was larger as I am not feeling it as it is so small.

Did you use an ND filter for this? If so which one as I am looking at the B&W ones just now!

[fionaB]

love it, have already told you that but will tell you again, i think its gorgeous. it pulls you in and almost gives you the feeling that you are actually there.

Fi

[Rob Barron]

I used a 2x ND filter but just a Kood version, cheap as I can't afford a Lee or something like that (much as I'd like to!). You are entirely right, it does look a lot more impressive printed larger. All my posters are A3+ so they have a reasonable impact. Thank goodness for the lovely Canon i9950 that I found a company accidentally selling for £125 a couple of years ago when they were listed as £500 each! I ordered two, they delivered, so I sold one on Ebay for £350 and kept the other. So all in all I got a printer and £225 for my £125 outlay!

Shame those deals don't come around very often, I could do with two more to keep up with the amount of posters I now need to print! Oh well, a few late nights don't hurt <g>

The B+W filters are very good so I can certainly recommend them.

Cheers,
Rob

[Markulous]

A good classic shot of this 'fall, tho' I would've preferred more detail in the white water and a little less brightness.

I've never visited but been passed many times, both on my way to the waterfall area and visiting partner parents in Neath. In fact I'm surprised you weren't directed to Pontneddfechan (just a couple of miles away) as much more impressive (and photogenic/saleable!) 'falls

Must admit that I've yet to get any filters (beyond CP, of course) - but if I had them I'm not sure I'd want the hassle of putting on/taking off and I've yet to come across a situation where I've needed them anyway!

[Dabhand16]

I like it Rob! It has an enchanting 'grotto' feel to it. Like Mark, I'd have preferred a little less milkiness in the water, but that is a minor point.

[Rob Barron]

Agreed Mark and Graham but to be honest, that is mainly due to compression. The high res printed version has a lot more detail and sharpness, both of the water and the rocks and things. The rocks are sharp enough to make your eyes bleed in the hi-res but as often seems to happen, they become rather flat when shown at 72 dpi and compressed.

Oh well, that's life :o)

[Ken Hawk]

Hope I get photos as good as that one day.
Cracker Ken