Waterfall Photography Tips & Resources
For Digital and Film
Shooting on Overcast Days
If you have a real dark neutral density filter or and aperture that can close done very small
(f22 or smaller), you can most likely get some good shots in sunny conditions.
Other wise it is recommended that you try and shoot waterfalls on cloudy days.
This way if you want to get the classic ‘washed out’ look of a long exposure shot
then the lighting conditions will be in your favor as less light is available.
Take special care around water vapors coming off of waterfalls. They can destroy you camera if you get a big dose. If there is a lot of water vapor, try pulling back and taking shots with a telephoto lens. Another option would be return to the falls when the water level is lower.
Tripods
Always use a tripod on long exposure shots. Don’t think that you can hold the camera by hand for even one half of a second of exposure. That photo will be blurry. Invest in a good tripod. You won’t regret it.
Polarizing Filter
Using a circular polarizing filter can do phenomenal things for your photographs.
They take out the reflective glare that bounces off of water, rocks or any other wet reflecting surfaces.
Once the glare is removed, great detail is exposed and your photographs can become substantially richer.
Neutral density filter
This filter is like having sun glasses for your lens. It doesn’t allow as much light in, enabling longer exposure shots.
Bracketing
There are wide ranging light conditions in this type of photography. Be sure to bracket your photos using a variety of exposure compensation (EV) offsets. This will give a photographic series that will help you find the right settings for metering in the future. It will also give you more photo combinations to choose from. Finding the right balance between over-exposure and under-exposure can be difficult. With practice and persistence you will get it down.
Shooting from multiple angles
If the terrain allows you to move around the falls without fearing for your life (some waterfall surroundings are very steep and gorge-like), then it is best to get shots from all different angles. Be dynamic. Be bold with your shots. Lie on your belly with your tripod and get shots of flowers in the foreground while capturing the falls in the background. Straight on shots of waterfalls and nothing more are found on varnished table mats where slumbering masses stare down on them under the dim lights of truck stop diners.
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eBay can have some really good deals on cameras and lenses.
We bought our first digital camera on eBay.
Check out some of the items for sale below.
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