Skogafoss Rainbow Bride?, a photo from Rangarvallasysla, Sudurland

Photographer's Note

Following on from my last photo, a long shot of Skogafoss - this time a crop taken from a photo which you'll be able to see as a WS. I couldn't choose so I tossed a coin. What do you think?

The young woman in the photo was, it turned out, modelling for a professional, but before the pros appeared, she advanced without any self-consciousness on to the stony banks of the stream below Skogafoss and began to 'loosen up', as it were. She must have been cold, despite the sunshine! I stupidly imagined, for a moment, that a wedding was about to be performed. I was close by, and one of the first people to see her, so I quickly took some shots before she would notice and inevitably become annoyed with my amateurish presence. Fortunately, her eyes remained closed for this one.

In the note for my previous photo I mentioned the fact that one could often see a rainbow in the cascade. John Cannon (tyro) was kind enough to tell me he thought he could discern some colours, but I couldn't. In this one, you can see a trace of rainbow on the left behind the woman, so I think my previous note has been vindicated.

Exposure: 1/2000
Aperture: f/4.0
ISOs: 200
Focal Length: 24 mm

tyro, ktanska, CLODO, snunney, holmertz, jhm, Eric_vd, PiotrF, Royaldevon, macjake, maloutim, alvaraalto has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

jemaflor (146330) 2017-11-18 23:01

Hi Andrew,
An interesting portrait and landscape with waterfall in the BG and the colors of a little rainbow. Good light capture.

tyro (30513) 2017-11-19 0:03

Hi Andrew,

Crikey, having only the other day critiqued Craig's fabulous photo, I now see that you have been blessed with the same good fortune, luck, serendipity or whatever you want to call it - something which unfortunately never seems to happen to me! Of course, as I said to Craig, I suspect, if such a wonderful opportunity as this did befall me, I would probably be fiddling around trying to change lenses or camera settings and end up totally "guffing it" and not getting any pictures at all.

First of all, I like your note - and thank you for mentioning li'l ol' me too! Of course, in these pictures we can easily see the rainbow effect but, looking back at your last photograph, those rainbow colours are in exactly the same place - just above that large mass of rock at the left side of the bottom of the waterfall.

Secondly, this is a fabulous photograph, very well seen and very well taken, particularly as it was shot on the spur of the moment. The light and colours are superb and the details and sharpness in the main subject are exquisite. And, of course, I love how the young lady and her white dress stand out so remarkably against the darker background. Technically perfect!

I realise, of course, that these are one and the same photograph, only with different crops. Personally I think I prefer your workshop photograph in which we can see the entire waterfall because I like how the lady there appears smaller, more insignificant in this vast landscape, and sort of "lost". The only trouble with that image is that there is almost a suggestion that the lady might have been inserted into the frame by some clever Photoshop jiggery pokery - even though I know that is not the case. So, yes, a difficult decision - to crop or not to crop.

Fabulous!

Kind Regards,

John.

tenretin (3275) 2017-11-19 0:59

Hello Andrew,
Sacré coup de chance que vous avez eu là. Tout est réunis, la lumière sur l'involontaire modèle, l'attitude et sa pose, l'arc en ciel à gauche au fond... ce jour là vous pouviez en plus jouer au LOTO !...
Bien réalisé,
Bon WE.
JP

ktanska (44492) 2017-11-19 1:14

Hi Andrew,
Very surprising view. That certainly isn't a typical dress to wear next to a waterfall which constantly throws mist on you in chilly Islandic weather. Light is wonderful and the professional photo session was surely a success as well as your shot. I thhink this landscape framing works better the the WS.
Kari

CLODO (45116) 2017-11-19 1:37

Hi Andrew

Hard work for the top girls! She is as a ghost in this area.
Cheers
CLODO

snunney (130967) 2017-11-19 2:23

Hello Andrew,
I like very much the composition and the perfect placement of the model against that fantastic backdrop. The fact that her eyes are closed contributes much to the mood in my mind, as if she is in a trance. The rainbow is a delightful bonus. Superb technical quality.

holmertz (102042) 2017-11-19 2:48

Hello Andrew,
It's a strange photo and the cropped version makes it even stranger, because it brings the lady with the closed eyes closer to us and it's hard to really grasp what kind of scenery she is in. I still prefer the original photo shown in the workshop, where we get the entire view and she is a small part of a fabulous natural spectacle. It's an almost surrealistic photo.
I think a small theme could be created of "stolen" photos of professional models, or ordinary persons posing for other photographers. Taking such pictures is quite amusing,
Best regards,
Gert

BennyV (34746) 2017-11-19 3:30

Hello Andrew

I'd expect her to burst out singing an aria, or at least being involved in some kind of performance art. That's the effect of the expression on her face (in combination with the fairyland backdrop, of course).

Benny

jhm (211734) 2017-11-19 6:34

Hello Andrew,

Your picture is very extraordinarily with the woman in foreground.
But the background cares for a nice contrast.
Nice depth and perspective created.
Sharpness and clarity are pleasant.
Very well done, TFS.

Have a nice day,
John.

Sergiom (117241) 2017-11-19 7:24

Bonjour Andrew,

Je ne sais pas qui te servais de modèle pour cette photo qui force notre admiration, mais tu as réussi à lui faire prendre un aspect dramatique des plus réussi. Magnifique arrière plan.

Amicalement

Serge

abmdsudi (95869) 2017-11-20 6:22

Hi Andrew
I like this 'accidental' shot, i think her expressions says alot about her disapproval of her pic being taken without permission but great to see the lady in white 'wedding dress' gives us a great colour contrast! The trace of rainbow as you said, can be seen seen clearly here but it doesnt distract from main interest - I go for this one. Nice grab, Congrats
Best regards

GyurMaster (24672) 2017-11-20 7:31

Hello Andrew,

Excellent shot. I had to fave it.

Best Wishes,
Gy.

rychem (72187) 2017-11-20 7:59

This here is an elegant photo with perfect quality, but the photo in WS is excellent and very well composed, it shows the whole might of the waterfall and the delicate woman in the front of the water mass, my compliments Ryszard

Eric_vd (859) 2017-11-20 12:03

Hello Andrew,

You lucky guy, it turend out to be a amazing capture.
A beautiful model in front of a impresive waterfall making it wowwwwwww.
Excellent work!!!

Kind regards,
Eric

PiotrF (54246) 2017-11-20 12:51

Hello Andrew,
Amazing portrait of young woman with big waterfall in background.
This is an interesting and unique place.Beautiful female model...very well seen and well taken.
Nice presentation.
Regards
Piotr

Royaldevon (85638) 2017-11-21 9:11

Hello Andrew,

Long time, no see!

This is a cracker of a shot to re-engage!
It has such power!
I think that because the lady has her eyes closed she adds an intangible something to the shot; is she reminiscing, is she preparing to take a huge, emotional step, is she trying to come to terms with something! The suppositions are endless but intriguing.

Like you, I imagined a wedding but, one which had gone sour or why was she putting herself and her dress under such threat!
The rainbow, clearly visible adds to the story-like scenario.

It's a tough one, which to favour.
They both hold the viewer captivated!
Perhaps, but only very slightly, this one because of the more intimate details of her expression and b/g.

Thanks for sharing this,
Bev :-)
p.s. Is there any chance that 'favourites' and 'favourites photographs' can be activated again. I do miss not being able to check up on their recent posts.

macjake (98262) 2017-11-21 23:20

Hi Andrew
haha...great shot! great moment, experience and memory. I often have luck with walking in on models - not quite sure how it happens but it happens to me alot!

Happened to you as well here, and if I were 100% honest I prefer the WS photo. However, its like picking between two sports cars...i want both :)

The best part is the fact nobody else is in the frame, and the lighting is A+. wonderful TE Photo, good for you to have been at the right place at the right time.
cheers
craig

maloutim (13617) 2017-11-21 23:42

Hi Andrew,
Very appropriate shot ! You caught it just at the right moment ! She could have been performing in a concert ! That would have been great !
But you got the rainbow AND the lady's facial expression.

Anyhow, this looks very dramatic ! I like both the WS with the full view of the fall.and the main picture. Always difficult to choose ! I suppose you did well choosing the closer crop, as you can see better the expression on the lady's face !
Thanks for sharing.
Marie-Louise.

emka (157280) 2017-11-24 0:08

Hello again, nice contribution to the theme of the wedding sessions, or maybe she is just the model. Anyway, attractive picture. The rainbow is visible, but it is quite obvious, when there are water droplets around and sunrays, there is also a rainbow. Beautiful both picture, this is more original , I think.

Kind regrads Malgo

PS. You have quite many pictures from Toulouse. I have just visited the pink city and I like it very much Maybe I also will post something :). (As usual, I have MANY picture and I have problem what too choose in short time).

alvaraalto (42804) 2017-11-25 2:50

Hello Andrew
You made a bold, but appropriate decision by cropping the top of waterfall from the scene. To much highlight in a scene doesn’t work and wakes a picture less interesting.
Here the lady is the star and the water and rainbow underlines this and improve the scene. The top of this Waterval should have divided the interest.
Excellent work, like a still from an Icelandic opera-movie.
Have a good weekend. Groet Rob

kasianowak (17672) 2017-11-25 4:41

To be honest I like both photos very much but I would probably also choose the cropped one as the main upload as it focuses attention on the model with a hint of landscape behind her, rather than the other way round. It's an unusual sight, as you observed yourself, her dress is not exactly suitable for the weather.
The rainbow is a nice touch.
Have a great weekend
Kasia