Thread: How do you photograph waterfalls?

Originally Posted by Jack E

I want to be able to take those those nice photos of waterfalls where the water looks cloudy but everything else looks normal.

Have you tried pointing the thing at the waterfall and pushing the button? You'll probably find that there is no need for anything technical, just leave the camera on auto. The water will naturally look 'cloudy', because it is moving. Everything else looks 'normal' becuase it is not moving.

Another thing to remember is that if you ar going for slower shutter speeds then other moveable objects (trees, shrubs, flowers, animals) will also blur so they are best taken on a still day..

May be a point you have already thought of but thought i would mention it.

It is pleasing to see there are still people willing to manipulate their camers's controls to make photographs rather than point & shoot and take snaps.
The answers are all there, Jack.
Tripod, slow ISO (or ASA or even DIN if you are from Europe,) Aperture priority, f16 or smaller aperture, ND filters if it very bright, polarising filter (if the light is reflected at the right angle.)
Hope you are still somewhere near the waterfall!

Ernie.

Another thing I find with waterfalls is that a cloudy day often makes for better pictures. The lighting is more even and you dont have the high contrast between sunlit and shaded areas.

Other than that, what the guys have said, set min film speed (ISO) and aperature, set up on a tripod and let the camera pick the exposure time. Depending on light and camera type it may come out .2 - 10 secs, but that gives a nice blur to the water.

Also do some high speed shots as well, where you try and freeze the water drops, makes an interesting comparison.

Cheers

Ian

Thanks for your help guys, all good info.

I am not near the waterfall anymore but it is not far to Cape York from here and there are heaps.

Cheers, Jack

I tried my hand at doing a slow speed shot turned out Ok I guess


You want waterfalls to take pictures of, take a trip and go see Ianab... he's probably surrounded by them!
Like this

This is one of my best shots

Originally Posted by Jack E

How do you photograph waterfalls?
... all I get is a white screen ......

Jack.... get out of the waterwall first.

Yeah.. got a few waterfalls here

This one is about 10 mins up the road, Dawson falls on Mt Egmont.


Shot was taken with 35mm SLR, tripod, 100 ASA film, min aperature and time as picked by the auto exposure (around 1sec if I remember right) Overcast day gave more even lighting.

Cheers

Ian