St. Croix Hydro Station

[Iguanasan]

I can't put my fingers on it but something's not right. Comments?

[Duane]

I should stay out of the critique section if I don't plan on critiquing probably . I couldn't tell you what's not right because I find it to be such a beautiful shot. It also looks like a nice place to spend a good part of a day.

[Mad Aussie]

Hmmm I'm finding it hard also Iggy.

There's a few distracting elements. Bottom left corner ... a 'stick' dissects the grass there.
Bottom right hand corner ... a fence is unsightly. But they are there so it's either crop in, compose differently, or PP them out.

I'd burn in those 3 main white water sections and also maybe burn the rock shelf a little also. Maybe dodge that dark area of the shelf also.

Colour looks like a slight yellow cast to me ... maybe add a tad of blue and red.

Constrast looks slightly low, maybe boost that a bit.

Top right corner is a white structure that's also distracting ... I'd crop that out.

Aside from that it looks fine

[Bambi]

maybe the problem is that it was a grey day and it's affecting the overall tone of the picture.

[kat]

I think everyone has it right. It does look a bit dull. I would like to be able to see the spray painted Saint Croix a little bit more, I think that would be neat to the photo. Nice place! I would be there for hours!!!!

[Marko]

Although I like this shot, I agree on the something's not quite right feeling.

For me I think it's the composition....and really, I'm not sure what i would have done differently because i cannot see what's beyond the fence except that it's white (which steals our attention so like you I probably would have cropped).

The image 'moves' via the water line toward the building and then is cropped somewhat abruptly. The actual water, to my eye is far more visually appealing than the building, but all the drama points to the building which is kind of anti-climactic. Maybe if the building had more contrast and popped harder?

[Barefoot]

I wonder, does this work any better? Without knowing what time of day the shot was made, I'd suggest late evening and HDR. I know for a fact that I'd be back in the fall for the colors that this one begs for.

[Iguanasan]

Wow! You are way better at the PP stuff than I am. I was impressed with getting rid of the power line across the top.

The time was actually about 11:00am as I was on the way home from my weekend away and hadn't made a special trip just to shoot that scene.

[Mad Aussie]

Barefoot ... that's very similar to what I had in my mind when I was giving my critique.