Brad Becker
October 2025 - Exuberance
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About the Image(s)
I started with this striking image from the town of Mendocino. I wanted to blend the ocean with a waterfall and did the best I could to make this look somewhat realistic. I then added my son jumping to further enhance the surreal aspect of the image.
4 comments posted
I am currently on the West coast of Australia and have visited several places last week on a photo tour where the ocean comes pouring in over the rocks. Brad, your rendering of the ocean flowing into the waterfall is very realistic especially as the ocean is quite calm in your image. I saw rough seas with a lot of white surf.
Your boy jumping adds an eye catching element and is certainly unexpected. I hope he is a good swimmer. Posted: 10/19/2025 11:52:59
Your boy jumping adds an eye catching element and is certainly unexpected. I hope he is a good swimmer. Posted: 10/19/2025 11:52:59
Hazel, Thanks for your comments. I am still looking forward to seeing Australia and New Zealand one of these days, hopefully soon. Posted: 10/19/2025 22:07:20
Hi Brad,
Nice merge of the falls and the ocean. I think this is very interesting, but I do have some technical thoughts about the image.
It is very dark for a daytime shot, but maybe that is your purpose. However details are lost in the shadows.
Your son gets lost as everything is a the same midtones. Maybe move him into the sky?
The horizon cuts into his head, usually not a good idea.
Posted: 10/19/2025 15:20:44
Nice merge of the falls and the ocean. I think this is very interesting, but I do have some technical thoughts about the image.
It is very dark for a daytime shot, but maybe that is your purpose. However details are lost in the shadows.
Your son gets lost as everything is a the same midtones. Maybe move him into the sky?
The horizon cuts into his head, usually not a good idea.
Posted: 10/19/2025 15:20:44
Tom, Thanks for the helpful feedback. I had played with a variety of heights of his jump and thought too high looked too surreal but I get what you said about the horizon. With regards to the darkness I wonder if it may be a bit darker on your monitor or if my monitor is too bright! I will take a look again and consider brightening some of the shadows. Posted: 10/19/2025 22:09:32