Elegance

Adam Bykowski

Elegance

Like an eligant wedding dress, this waterfall falls like a silk draped satiny dress and the train of the dress spread out over the rocks.
Location: LaSalle Canyon in Starved Rock State Park in Illinois.

Camera: Canon 5D
Lens: Canon 24-70mm L
Heliopan thin polarizing filter
ISO 50
Aperture: f22
Shutterspeed: 5 seconds
Shooting Mode: Manual
Time taken: 2: 50 PM (daylight savings time change the night before)
Nature’s real time: 3:50 PM

Elegance belongs to the following groups:

! $$☻The Christmas Shop (Get Art Promoted)☺ !, ! 100% !, ! ♥ The "Heartland" Group ♥ !, *A Beautiful Blur, All About Water, All Countries ~ Wetlands, Ponds, Lakes and Rivers, All That is Nature (Photography Only), All Water in Motion and Reflections in Water (A Camera In The Description Before It Will Be Accepted), Creative, Talented, and Unknown, Day Hikes , Dimensions, Freedom In Words & Art, Freedom to Shine, Landscape Photography, Live, Love, Dream: May you have a Blessed Christmas Season , Midwestern United States Photography, Mood & Ambience - Strictly Photos, Nature's Wonders, Nirvana (Only 1 photographic art and 1 written work will be accepted per day ), PEACE, LOVE & TRANQUILITY, Photography - Rule of Thirds, Shameless Self-Promotion, Style! Class! Elegance! Excellence!, The Beauty of Nature (Nothing Man-Made), The true beauty, Waterfall Photography and Your Magic Place (PLACES only!!) Available for sale as

Greeting Cards, Matted Prints, Laminated Prints, Mounted Prints, Canvas Prints, Framed Prints and Posters

Elegance by Adam Bykowski
Elegance by Adam Bykowski
  • Kevin Skinner

    Kevin Skinner

    Lovely capture, Adam. Wonderful detail especially over the rocks at the bottom. Reminds me that I must do some more water shots myself – haven’t done any for a while :-) Just lovely.

  • Adam Bykowski replied

    Thanks so much Kevin. I’m sure you would do great.

  • sigfusson

    sigfusson

    Very pretty capture Adam. I’ve still not mastered the daytime long exposure for waterfalls…you must reveal your secrets! Cheers, S.

  • Adam Bykowski replied

    I’ll make you a deal. You tell me, openly and honestly what I am doing wrong to not get any real sales here and I’ll tell you everything I know about my waterfall photography. Is it not enough marketing or is it that my images are not of a good enough quality? Or is it something else?

  • Akkra

    Akkra

    Oooo pretty scene! I see what you mean about the silk drape… to me it looks like the veil. It looks fabulously delicate for a waterfall and I love the stone floor at the bottom… looks like steps going down to a seriously posh swimming pool – looks just like my back garden (Ha!!). ;o)

  • Adam Bykowski replied

    Yesss! The veil of the waterfall looks almost … ghostly! OOOOOoooooo! Thanks for the compliment and following my work. I’d compliment your work to return the favor, but you have to put something up first. LOL

  • Kim McClain

    Kim McClain

    Awesome Adam!

  • Adam Bykowski replied

    That’s actually what people have been known to call me; “Awesome Adam.” I tell them “Stop it. Adam is just fine.” LOL Thanks Kim.

  • Akkra

    Akkra

    LOL hint taken ;o)

  • Adam Bykowski replied

    GO BABY GO!

  • sigfusson

    sigfusson

    I think your images are brilliant Adam. Marketing photography is a dog-eat-dog kind of business, so I think its a matter of keeping your name and images out there. Blogging on other photo sharing sites and adding links to your work, joining stock image sites like i-stock.com, and knowing what the public is buying also helps. I also think that participating in local art shows and events where you can display your work will also help to get your name out there. I’m currently working on a project to boost image sales, and I promise to keep you posted when I know more. Hugs, S.

  • Adam Bykowski replied

    Thank you for the great info. I told myself I would try to do two art fairs this year, but ended up doing zero. Had to go through 20 years of stuff and sort, keep, and throw stuff out and hold a garage sale. That took so much time that I realized I had to get organized first. Definitely will try to do at least one art fair next year.
    I will bubblemail you with the details of my waterfall technique.
    Fairly simple really.
    Quick outline version that absolutely must be followed for it to work:
    1) tripod
    2) set ISO to lowest setting on your camera ISO 100 or ISO 50
    3) screw on a circular polarizing filter to maximum anti-glare position
    4) shoot in shade – never, ever shoot with direct sunlight on the waterfall. Only exception; mottled light, spotlit areas of light with mosty shade
    5) bracket your exposures – I start with the dead on exposure and underexpose in 1/3 increments from there.

  • keleka656

    keleka656

    This is a beauty Adam! I can spot a shot of this waterfall a mile away. So many people take photos of this but I have to say, this is one of the best. The exposure on the water is perfect and you composed the scene beautifully. Nice work. I really must get out there before everything freezes over…..lol.

  • Adam Bykowski replied

    Get out there. You will love it. Funny, most places I shoot I hardly see any photographers at all or one here and there. Matthiessen always seems to have photographers out there every time I go; many times in groups. Supposed to have another full week of great weather, so you might be able to still get out some great shots.

  • sigfusson

    sigfusson

    Thanks so much for the tips Adam. Cheers, S.

  • Adam Bykowski replied

    You got it.

  • lozzar

    lozzar

    Beautiful, lovely lighting.

  • John Absher

    John Absher

    Hey Adam … this one got by me, but glad I caught up with it. Although you have so many excellent waterfall and canyon shots, this has to be one of the best. As someone above said, the delicacy of the water coming off those couple top shelves is outstanding!!

    I like and made note of the helpful hints you passed on too!!

  • Adam Bykowski replied

    Thanks John. Appreciate that fact that you think this is one of my best waterfall shots. Quite a compliment. As far as the notes, Probably not anything there that you are not doing already. One thing I don’t do, is shoot waterfalls and adjust them in HDR. I keep it simple by either adjusting as is in photoshop or creating a layer to control lighting. thanks again

  • John Absher

    John Absher

    Actually Adam, I was a bit hesitant to call it one of your best, but only because you have so many great ones … but I really do like this one a lot.

    As for the instructions you gave on shooting waterfalls, I have actually shot most of mine in as bright conditions as possible, but I can understand why it makes more sense to shoot them in shade, especially when it comes to trying to get long exposures and minimizing “hot” spots. I actually like to try to capture a little “glistening” in the water, but it does get tricky and I have had many disappointments with that approach. I am going to have to try the approach of the master!! I believe you are probably in the majority with that technique.

  • Adam Bykowski replied

    The coolest, more special waterfall shots have a glimmer of light here and there or spotlights mottled and mixed in the image. I agree. It is difficult to get a good image if the sun hits it too hard. I try not to get too excited and just start shooting when there is a lot of sun on the waterfall. But if the waterfall is underneath some trees and the light is filtered, it usually comes out pretty cool. Lake Katherine is like that in the early morning. That waterfall is so cool with the trees filtering the sun. Great place to go in the morning.

  • Meeli Sonn

    Meeli Sonn

    Oo gorgeous

  • Adam Bykowski replied

    Thanks for the “Oo” Meeli. Much appreciated.

  • David Lewins LRPS

    David Lewins LRPS

    Fits the title perfectly…wonderful image and flow of water.

  • Adam Bykowski replied

    I like the title too. Thanks for the great comment.

  • Shani Kuhnke

    Shani Kuhnke

    this is so gorgeous. brilliant work.

  • Adam Bykowski replied 26 days ago

    Thank you so much. I like brilliant LOL,

  • Charma Chircop

    Charma Chircop 26 days ago

    a capture with class—Charma

  • Adam Bykowski replied 26 days ago

    Thanks Charma. Glad you liked it.

  • Craig Hender

    Craig Hender 21 days ago

    Beautiful work Adam, the exposure is superb and i really like the comp. Well done.

  • Adam Bykowski

    Adam Bykowski 21 days ago

    Thanks. Appreciate all your comments.

Add your comment

You need to login or signup to add your comment to this work.