A re-edit of a shot from 2019.
During one of my many hikes along Atherton Brook in the Quabbin Watershed I came across this scene with a rock firmly balanced atop another.
Click for a much larger view
This is located just above and to the left of the scene I posted back on February 25th. Atherton Brook is a great source for cascades and the waterfall I have posted as well. I haven’t been there in a few years and should probably check to see if the rock is still there. A strong current from the spring melt or a powerful summer storm might have dislodged it just as it may have deposited it there.
My edit improvement was to place more emphasis on the rock itself by dodging it, burning the rock just behind it, and darkening the whole surrounding backdrop to lighten the cascade. It’s not a huge change, subtle, but just enough, I think.
Stephen Gingold Nature Photography Blog 
This would be a great shot even without the balancing rock.
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Thanks, Ken! If I went back there today it might just be without the rock.
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In terms of tonalities you rebalanced this Balanced Rock view.
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That’s the goal in processing.
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you seem to like shooting streams. Try this, go at night and use a flashlight to paint them
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Thanks for the suggestion. Seeming is believing. I am more of a natural light aficionado so maybe by the light of a full moon.
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There’s something dynamic and alive about that rock. I think it crawled on top of the other one.
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Maybe it’s a turtle rock and has its feet drawn in so we can’t see them. 🙂
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That’s a really cool balanced rock!
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It is and I hope it is still there.
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Looking at the image, I get the sense that the rock really is teetering atop its resting place. Of course it would take a good bit of force to move it, but it seems as though it could ‘tip and go’ at any moment. Funny, for a photo of solid rock to feel so lively.
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All that moving water probably adds to that impression. I bet if I sat on it over it would go so likely not its final resting place.
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A wonderful photo and location. One I would return to often.
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It is and the whole length of the brook is filled with interesting cascades and rocks. Thanks, Belinda!
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Outstanding landscape photograph, Steve!
All the elements seem “just right”. It would have been tempting to add too much highlighting in a couple of places or to frame the balanced rock more to the center. Thank goodness you resisted such impulses!
Once again, you have placed the viewer “at” the brook. Very nice.
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I tried to reduce any distracting highlighting by dodging and felt off center was the best composition for the entire image. It gives better location context, I think. I do have a shot of just the rock but feel this makes a more interesting picture. Thanks, Wally!
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Looks like a lot of water coming through … NICE!
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We do have our rainy periods and that made this a nice opportunity. Thanks, Denise!
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