Monday, May 30, 2011

Photographing Waterfalls

Waterfalls and streams are popular photography subjects because they can easily be made into a soothing digital desktop wallpaper. A common element in many waterfall pictures is the silky smooth appearance of the water. This is not difficult to capture, with the right tools and techniques.

Tripod
Without a tripod, the pictures below would not have been possible. This is because we typically use shutter speeds of 2 seconds or more, which is not possible to hand-hold without getting camera shake.
Polarizing Filter or ND Filter
Circular polarizing filters are designed to reduce reflections and increase saturation. As a side effect, they also cut down about 1.5 stops of light coming through the lens.

ND filters are neutral density filters, available in different strengths. They act like sunglasses for your lens by cutting down the light coming into the lens.



Timing and Location

UluYamStream 2 Photographing Waterfalls
Finally it’s time to use these tools to get the shot. Shooting a time when the sun is not too strong will give you the best chance of slowing down the shutter speed. This is because even at ISO100 and F22, your shutter speed may not reach the required levels if there is too much light. A shutter speed range of 2 seconds to 5 seconds is your target. Shooting in forest cover will also increase the possibility of lower light levels.

Vary your shutter speeds for different moods. There are many other variables to fine-tune, like composition, color balance and foreground interest. So keep on experimenting to get the perfect waterfall shot.

UluYam TreeTrunk Sunset Photographing WaterfallsSmoothening Ripples

You can also apply this technique on other water surfaces, like lakes and dams. Ripples on a lake can be smoothened out by using a long exposure. The result is a mirror-like calmness. Reflections on this surface are sometimes rendered as wavy surreal reflections. This was exactly the technique used for the 2 images below.







41 comments:

  1. very informative blog. I was thinking of taking a photography class in college, but I think the info on your blog can give a good head start.

    ReplyDelete
  2. They always look so beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Wow, thanks! This certainly is useful!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Beautiful pictures and very interesting tips, thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I wish I could take such good pictures!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Great blog! Keep the posts coming, i enjoy reading them!

    ReplyDelete
  7. beautiful waterscapes. Nice tips too.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Good stuff. You know so much about this area of the arts, tis quite inspiring.

    ReplyDelete
  9. these are absolutly amazing! really good stuff

    ReplyDelete
  10. Why are there smoke on the water?

    ReplyDelete
  11. Did you teach yourself this or did you go to school or something.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I have to say that You can take really good shots!

    ReplyDelete
  13. As always, beautiful pictures and inspiring posts! Keep them coming!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Next thing I'm gonna get is a Polarizing Filter need it big time when shooting pics of my monster fishtank.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I was just at a waterfall on my camping trip and my pictures came out meh. :( Wish you had posted this before I went!

    ReplyDelete
  16. beautiful pictures. good post ill be back for more!

    ReplyDelete
  17. wow.. beautiful pictures! That last one is simply amazing!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Great tips as usual and lovely pictures.

    ReplyDelete
  19. those are beautiful photos!!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Awesome writeup and nice photos :)

    ReplyDelete
  21. Beautiful pictures, informative information.

    ReplyDelete
  22. My girlfriend loves photography. I'll make sure she see's this!

    ReplyDelete
  23. well done man very informative

    ReplyDelete
  24. amazing pictures, it looks like steam more than water!!

    You can visit my blog here.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Its amazing the kind of things we can find if we take the time to look at them, most people don't have the perceptive skill to see beauty in simple things. You definitely have talent

    ReplyDelete
  26. Seriously, just look for what you want to find its all around you.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Excellent info for all the shutterbugs out there! Thanks!

    ReplyDelete