{"id":486073,"date":"2022-08-19T07:02:20","date_gmt":"2022-08-19T11:02:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lightstalking.com\/?p=486073"},"modified":"2022-08-19T07:02:30","modified_gmt":"2022-08-19T11:02:30","slug":"tips-tools-waterfalls","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lightstalking.com\/tips-tools-waterfalls\/","title":{"rendered":"Tips And Tools To Help You Capture Enchanting Photos Of Waterfalls"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Waterfalls are one of the most stunning water features found in nature and it can be slightly challenging to capture them at their best. Waterfalls photos work best when you lengthen the exposure time to capture their movements and this is where photographers need to decide the settings that will work best for the image they have visualized. This article will help you with some tips and tools, to capture enchanting photos of waterfalls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo by John Rodenn Castillo<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Waterfalls are dynamic and if captured well, they can look quite dreamy, as if like a scene from a fairytale. You may like to photograph the waterfall at different times of the year and different times of the day. Some may like the moody atmosphere on a foggy day, while others may like a clear day when the sunlight makes the water and the surroundings look bright and colorful.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Waterfall photos can be captured with faster shutter speeds where the photographer freezes the movement of water or can be captured with slower shutter speeds where the photographer captures the movements in the water. Depending on your visual appeal, you will need to choose the right settings and accessories to photograph waterfalls. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Waterfalls also look stunningly beautiful when photographed at night. A little creativity, planning, and some techniques will reward you with magical night photos of these interesting subjects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo by Thomas Despeyroux<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Camera For Long Exposure: Tips And Tools<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In order to capture interesting photographs of waterfalls, especially if you wish to use longer exposures to capture the movements in water, you will need to use a camera that will allow you to shoot in manual mode\/bulb mode. This will help you to capture the movements in the water while the surrounding elements, the background, and the foreground remain static and sharp. If you want to freeze the movement of water, you can use faster shutter speeds and any camera will help you achieve this result as long as you get the settings right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo by Garrett Patz<\/a> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Neutral Density (ND) Filter<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Neutral density filters decrease the amount of light entering the camera and reaching the sensor. The amount of light cut by the ND filter depends on how much light the filter is able to stop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Neutral density filters are not always necessary when photographing waterfalls and this greatly depends on the weather and light in the shooting location and the scene in front of you. If you are in a location on an overcast or foggy day or in a location where there is heavy shade like a forest area with thick tree cover, etc., then you may get away with avoiding an ND filter and using narrow apertures, lower iso values, and slightly long shutter speeds. Or, if you are not interested in long exposures, then you can just shoot normally without an ND filter and freeze water movement.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In other scenarios, or in general, for long-exposure waterfalls images, you will be glad that you have an ND filter that can help you to control exposure times. There is an article here that discusses the filters that photographers may benefit from and what each filter does. ND filters help to capture dreamy long exposures of waterfalls and besides this, they also help to enhance the textures and contrast in the image, capture vibrance, and also render a great mood in the photos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo by Chris Lynch<\/a> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Cable Or Remote Release<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When you have the camera on a tripod for long-exposure waterfall images, your aim will be to eliminate all sorts of movements in the camera. In order to avoid movements due to shutter release, it is advisable to use a cable or remote release for shutter release. If you do not have one, make use of the inbuilt timer feature.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some cameras have apps from their manufacturers that allow them to use their smartphones as shutter releases. If your camera has that feature, make use of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tripod<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you are someone who photographs long exposures of waterfalls, then a tripod is a must in order to capture sharp images. Even if you are exposing for 0.5 or 1 second, you need to use a tripod to ensure sharp results. Using a tripod also gives you the flexibility to compose creatively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have to hike a lot to reach the waterfall, which most remote waterfalls require, then go for lightweight carbon fiber tripods. Make sure that they can hold the camera and lens combination steady during the shot and can also withstand windy situations so they do not tip over. These tripods can also come in handy when you want unique perspectives and compositions where you will be framing from within water or other rough terrains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have a mirrorless camera and lens that is quite lightweight, you can even opt for a gorilla pod that can be clamped onto trees and wooden fences in order to effectively capture waterfall shots. These accessories are very lightweight and can greatly help with minimizing the gear you will be required to carry on long hikes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo by Luk\u00e1\u0161 Va\u0148\u00e1tko<\/a> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Circular Polarising Filter<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When photographing waterfalls, depending on the direction of light, time of the day, and surrounding elements, you may come across situations where reflections may sometimes ruin the shot or may look quite distracting. The reflections can be on the surface of the water, surrounding flora, wet rocks, etc. A circular polarising filter if used well in these situations, can help with eliminating or at least minimizing unwanted reflections.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Remember that a polarising filter needs to be used at 90 degrees to the direction of sunlight in order for it to work the way it should and you need to rotate it till you get the desired results. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rain Cover And Hoods<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Most waterfalls when the flow is really high can spray mist onto your gear. Besides, one of the best times to photograph a waterfall can be during the rainy season. So it is better to invest in a rain cover, even if your gear is weather sealed. It is better to be safe than sorry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See, if you are able to find hoods that can help with avoiding mist generated in tall and heavy flowing waterfalls. Again, this cannot help a hundred percent, but you can try to see if this helps. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A lot of factors like wind direction, the flow of the waterfall, the direction of the camera, the distance between the falls and the camera, exposure times, and many other factors contribute to how much misty the lens can get and how it can be avoided. Slow falling, less water, and staying at a good distance away from the waterfalls can help to avoid or minimize misty situations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo by <\/a>Khamk\u00e9o Vilaysing<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Microfibre Cloth<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When photographing waterfalls, always have a few spare lens cloths that have good absorbent qualities. The mist from waterfalls can coat the lens or filters and degrade the image quality a lot. Also, it can leave round bright artifacts all over the image, especially in the brighter areas and this can be difficult or sometimes impossible to remove. To avoid this, make sure you check the lens and filters before each exposure and clean up the mist.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Camera Settings<\/h2>\n\n\n\n