IR Waterfalls (Need C&C Help)

[KevXman]

I was experimenting with shooting waterfalls in IR today. I think it is working but just not there yet. Before trekking back in I need some other sets of eyes to tell me what is and is not working. Its not the mile and a half getting there, its the 1000ft change in elevation going down and coming back up that makes this a tough location. Please tell me what you think — good, bad, and other wise. All comments and suggestions for and against will be really helpful.

These were shot at 1.5-2 second exposures with an 8XND filter on a Modded D70. Some questions that come to my mind are:

1. Do I need to underexpose?
2. Should I stack the 8X with a 4X for a longer exposure?
3. Is there a different (better?) filter that I should be using?

#1
http://photosbykevin.smugmug.com/photos/608108508_untFb-XL.jpg

#2
http://photosbykevin.smugmug.com/photos/608107492_NwX5E-XL.jpg

Thanks for looking.
— Kevin

[CavalierPhoto]

Pretty cool!

I think you're headed in the right direction.

Two questions:
1) What ISO did you have these set at?
2) What time of day were these taken?

[KevXman]

Pretty cool!

I think you're headed in the right direction.

Two questions:
1) What ISO did you have these set at?
2) What time of day were these taken?

ISO 200
Between Noon and 2pm. (Tree canopy in the area is only semi-open.)

[chrismoore]

I agree, you're on the right track, these are good compositions. The filter is fine, it looks like the time of day gave you some highlights and wide tonal range despite the filter as a couple areas are borderline blown out. For both images I would see what happens with the "recovery" slider in ACR, if that's what you're using. The second image needs a tad more contrast as well. Just IMHO.

[Panther]

Howdy Kevin,

Really neat images, great looking location and subject.

Looks like a wonderful subject for a long exposure, and the details are

very nicely rendered.

Not sure exactly how to make these beautiful images stronger or more pleasing, but they do appear to not have a distinct light and dark areas, to add more mystery and interest.

Regardless, these are very nicely done, and I think if any, only minor tweaks in curves or levels might help.

Also, I didn't see what your F-Stop was, may have overlooked it, but that might be an area in the future to look at and maybe someone might have suggestions on.

[CavalierPhoto]

ISO seems right, if the D70 is like my D50 that's the lowest you can go. Time of day may certainly be providing too much light for you. Try it a little earlier or a little later in the day. With less visible light available it will keep the highlights from blowing out on the longer exposure and should help give more dramatic shadows.

:thumb

[KevXman]

Thanks for the comments everyone. I will definitley be returning to this spot in the future. Craig, the f-stop was 22. After looking at the suggestions I do think that the time of day was working against me even though with IR you want the middle of the day. I tried reworking the files that I have but #2 is probably a lost cause. Here's #1 with some tweaking.

http://photosbykevin.smugmug.com/photos/609138345_o6tzk-XL.jpg

BTW, here's what it looks like with the color camera (D300).

http://photosbykevin.smugmug.com/photos/609137044_9bcsL-XL.jpg

Thanks again!
— Kevin

[Panther]

Howdy Kevin,

Got to thinking about it, what about doing an HDR,

running the full gamut from say -2.- to say +2.0 with 2 or stops on each side of -0- that way you can bring in the highlights and the depth of shadows, while keeping the details in the darker and lighter areas?