Of Ghost and Glass

[Octane]

The magnificent Stirling Falls at Milford Sound.

Stirling Falls is nestled at the base of the mountain called Elephant Trunk which faces another mountain called The Lion. At 151 metres in height, these falls are three times the height of Niagara Falls.

In this image, I have presented the base of the falls. The wispy shape of the falling water resembles ghostly figures suspended in animation, and the impact of the spray then creates the illusion of broken glass on the lake. Keen-eyed observers may discern shapes resembling faces, or skulls, in the mist.

I got sprayed from head to toe in the process of making this photograph. It was definitely worth the slight discomfort.

This image was a great challenge to process.

Slightly higher resolution available here (http://users.tpg.com.au/octane2/ogag.html).

Canon EOS 5D Mark II, Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM
1/60s f/5.6 at 40.0mm iso400

Would love your critique and commentary.

Regards,
Humayun

[Clarry]

Mate, that is just spectacular. I've viewed many of your photos lately & they never fail to impress.
Do you post your pictures on deviantART? I visit it often & your work is equal to anything I've seen there.

[iceman]

Now that is stunning. Absolutely incredible, H!

[Dennis]

Hi Humayun

Wow – that is such a stunning shot that I can feel the mist and coolness of the water spray. A beautiful capture under what I imagine were quite tricky circumstances!

I’m impressed with the movement in the curtains of water and mist at 1/60 sec! You’ve done a great job on controlling the quite difficult lighting and the tonal range looks very smooth, natural and full on my monitor. Top stuff.

Cheers

Dennis

[Phil]

Great shot Humayun love your work.
Phil

[StephenM]

That's brilliant Humayun! I've seen quite a few shots of Sterling Falls (including my own), but none as good as this!

Very well done!

Cheers,
Stephen

[Liz]

Wow, that is beautiful Humayun!! Thank you :)

[acropolite]

I was going to say Stunning, but Mike made a pre-emptive post. Fantastic image Humayan.:thumbsup:

[Quark]

WOW!!!!!, Just how good is this.
Humayun, I have been a great fan of your work since I have been on IIS.

Your work is often innovative, sometimes I look at it and think that there is no way you could surpass a particularly brilliant effort, yet routinely you manage to do just that.

You seem to push the boundaries for excellence and deserve to be recognized for it.

H, I read your description for this image, however when I looked at it, into it, I was just so taken with the subtle textures the softness of it the contrast between the vertical flowing lines and veils of the falls with the wind patterns on the water below. I see the shapes of hooded people in the rocks and in the falls, much like old Prof Dumbeldor from Hogwarts.

I know what it is but I think it is more than a waterfall, it really does have a quite surreal property and it is due in no small part to the talent of the man behind the camera lens.

Regards
Trevor

[astroron]

What more can be said than has already posted:) absolutley fabulous:eyepop:

[pmrid]

That is simply stunning, at every level. Composition, texture, mood - it's all there. You have done something quite special.
Peter

[firstlight]

:eyepop::bowdown:

Words fail.

[lacad01]

Very nice shot indeed. Had to look at it a while to pick up the various details in it. :thumbsup:

[Octane]

Clayton,

Thank you so much for your very kind words. And, yes, I do; I've been a Deviant for about 6 years now. My username is octane2.



Mike,

Thanks, mate. I feel this is my best to date.



Dennis,

The water was a tricky to process to get the highlights just right in the broken glass-like area. I feel I could have done a little more, but, it would probably detract from the rest of the image as the rest is a little subdued and soft.



Phil,

Thanks, mate. Appreciate the support. :)



Stephen,

Thank you, sir. :) I done a fair bit of GIS'ing, and I cannot find a single shot which resembles this one. I appreciate your kind words!



Liz,

No, thank you! I'm glad you like it. :)



Phil,

Cheers, mate. :)



Trevor,

I'm blushing and gushing, haha! My head's about to explode! :)

The image looks deceptively simple, but, you're absolutely right, there is a lot going on within all the different features. Someone mentioned to me that the image actually looks like you're looking out /over/ a waterfall. I never realised that the broken glass-like region at the bottom looked like that. Now when I look at it, I can't help but think like the person who told me that!

Thank you so much for the very, very kind words. I'm not worthy! :)



Ron,

lol, thank you! :)



Peter,

I appreciate your kind words. As I mentioned above, I haven't been able to find an image similar to this, so, I'm quite chuffed that I've managed to grab something different. :)



Tony,

Thank you. :) More to come!



Adam,

Thank you for looking and the compliment! :)



Thanks so much, everyone. Nowadays, I'm not one for spending eons of time in post processing on my terrestrial images, but, this one just had to be done. Looks like all the hard work paid off on this one!

Regards,
Humayun

[matt]

How did I miss this?

Great shot, H. Very nice control of the midtones.

[Rhino1980]

That would look awesome hanging on the wall.

[Tamtarn]

Brilliant image Humayan. Once the faces in the water spray and hooded people in the rock are suggested they just pop out at you.

Beautifully composed. This is a very special image

[Octane]

Matt,

Cheers. :) This one was a lot of fun to work on. There was only one outcome for it, though. A subtle and subdued look and feel. I think it works quite well.



Ryan,

The 18"x12" print looks great!



Barb and David,

Thank you heaps! :)



Thanks again, everyone. I'm most appreciative of the feedback.

Regards,
Humayun

[Mike21]

I'm not worthy to critique or comment on work like that. Ask National Geographic to tell you how good it is.

[multiweb]

That's so cool. National Geographic grade :thumbsup::thumbsup:.

[Octane]

Mike,

Wow, thanks! I have a /long/ way to go before any of my work is considered National Geographic material. It would be awesome to be published by them, that's for sure. :)



Marc,

Thanks, again, but, see my reply to Mike, above. :)



Thanks, all.

Regards,
Humayun

[M54]

That's gorgeous!
I knew it would be a good one, when I saw your call sign in the list.
:thumbsup:

[Kevnool]

Awesome H you never fail to impress me.
Fantastic.
Cheers Kev.

[Lumen Miner]

I have viewed almost every photo you have loaded.... searched back a long long time....

Your a professional photographer arn't you.?
Your work is amazing.
Even with your equipment your composition is nothing short of superb!!

I would imagine your prints are very expensive. Do you have an online store? If so may I have your address please. I would like to purchase some copies, of your work.

[rick01]

Wow, simply amazing image. Perfect fantasy! Looking forward for your next image.

Roman