Big Sur is California’s 90-mile stunning landscape. Henry Miller once remarked, “Big Sur is the California that men dreamed of years ago; this is the Pacific that Balboa looked at from the peak of Darien, this is the face of the earth as the Creator intended it to look.” It is truly spectacular.
Among its numerous waterfalls, Salmon Falls stands out as a personal favorite. Visiting this waterfall evokes a sensation akin to entering a world crafted by Tolkien. The entire surroundings possess an undeniable charm. Within view of Salmon Falls, there is a serene pond, complemented by a small cascade of its own.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, which instilled fear in many, I maintained an optimistic perspective and aimed for my photograph to serve as a symbol of hope. As I began editing the photograph, I intended to convey this sense of hope.
Utilizing Photoshop, I pursued this objective through various adjustments. Initially, I sought to impart a sense of calm to the waterfall and its reflection by applying a Color Balance layer that enhanced the blue hues.
Subsequently, I warmed the remainder of the image, except the waterfall, with another Color Balance adjustment. To make the waterfall stand out, I darkened the rest of the image using a Curves adjustment. Finally, I focused on the rock in the lower right corner of the frame, which was ‘touching’ the reflection of the rock above it. To separate the two, I employed a Dodge and Burn layer to brighten the rock.
My intent was to illustrate that this gentle waterfall remained serene amidst a threatening environment. To help viewers recognize my intent and possibly associate it with the pandemic, I provided a hint in the title – “Free Flowing.” I hope “Free Flowing” captures the viewer’s attention and encourages them to explore the image.
