How to shoot waterfalls to look fluid...help for a starter in photography please !!

[mikefirecracker]

I've only just started TRYING to take decent photos and could do with some help please. I am only using Fugifilm Finepix S2500HD and would love to take shots of waterfalls that appear to be "fluid", any idea how this effect is achieved?

 

[TCR4x4]

You need a shutter speed over a second at least, so you need to stop light hitting the sensor. To this you need either a small aperture like f/22 on a dim day or you need to use ND filters to lower the exposure. You'll also need a sturdy tripod.

 

[cam1986]

ND filters are the available in dif types? How would i know which is the right one? I tried to take a pic of running water myself to ghet that smooth look but it was all blurred!

 

[HoppyUK]

ND filters are the available in dif types? How would i know which is the right one? I tried to take a pic of running water myself to ghet that smooth look but it was all blurred!

You have to work it out. The starting point is how long the shutter speed needs to be. Fast moving water like a fountain blurs quite quicky and you might get the effect you want at something like 1/8sec. Waterfalls a bit longer. Milky seascapes need at least a couple of waves to pass, so maybe 8-10 secs, streaky clouds depend on the wind, but a few secs. You get the idea.

So you lengthen the shutter speed accordingly, and depending on the light level, by raising the f/number and dropping ISO. Then if you still need more, add an ND filter. To cover all those subjects, you probably need a couple. I use ND16 which is four stops, and ND500 which is nine stops. YMMV.

 

[Digifrog]

Slow shutter speed is key. Usually by choosing f/16 (using f/22 might affect the images sharpness) and then attaching an ND filter or two. Waterfalls I know tend to be enclosed by rocks, foliage etc so the avaiable natural light tends to be lower which is ideal.

Shoot as the sun gets low (late afternoon, wel before sunset) and I would say 3-5 stops of ND goodness at f/16 should see the results you want. The 10 stop filter probably be the best idea here though.

 

[John Doran]

ISO set to lowest: 100 or lower..
f/16
Shutter as mentioned

I have a circular polariser and a Lee 0.9 ND filter.

Shot late afternoon would be superb or as mentioned, if in woods it should be fine in relative daylight....

Tripod and cable release/self timer are a must.

 

[Yardbent]

you dont 'need' expensive Lee filters [wish i could afford them..]

if you want an 'average' amount of slow water effect, you can use a slow shutter 1/2 sec on a tripod, ISO 200 and f32 and with a C-PL filter to get this amount

in hindsight - i was lucky to get away using f32 -- better say f16 at even slower shutter speed
.

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[mikefirecracker]

Thanks for all the advise. I'm off to find a waterfall to give it a go. My camera has settings like P, S, A, M, and C which is all new to me as my last camera was just a point and shoot.

 

[cam1986]

You have to work it out. The starting point is how long the shutter speed needs to be. Fast moving water like a fountain blurs quite quicky and you might get the effect you want at something like 1/8sec. Waterfalls a bit longer. Milky seascapes need at least a couple of waves to pass, so maybe 8-10 secs, streaky clouds depend on the wind, but a few secs. You get the idea.

So you lengthen the shutter speed accordingly, and depending on the light level, by raising the f/number and dropping ISO. Then if you still need more, add an ND filter. To cover all those subjects, you probably need a couple. I use ND16 which is four stops, and ND500 which is nine stops. YMMV.

Nice advice. Cheers

 

[John Doran]

Thanks for all the advise. I'm off to find a waterfall to give it a go. My camera has settings like P, S, A, M, and C which is all new to me as my last camera was just a point and shoot.

P = Program
M = Manual
Av = could mean: Auto, Aperture Priority
Tv = Shutter Priority
S = could mean: Scene/Shutter priority
C = Custom mode.

Dependant on type and make of camera....

 

[John Doran]

P = Program
M = Manual
Av = Aperture Priority
Tv = Shutter Priority
S = could mean: Scene/Shutter priority
C = Custom mode.
A = Auto (possibly dependant on the camera).

Dependant on type and make of camera....

 

[stockwell]

Thanks for all replies to this thread - not my question, but its an effect I've been keen to get as well, and I'm joingin the waterfall hunt!!!

 

[Yardbent]

Thanks for all replies to this thread - not my question, but its an effect I've been keen to get as well, and I'm joingin the waterfall hunt!!!

are you near Richmond - visited there once and remember a weir somewhere that could be promising

 

[stockwell]

Not a million miles away - im in Harrogate.

Theres some lovely places to shoot water around here - among the best I would guess is Aysgarth Falls - just a bit west from Richmond

 

[stockwell]

oh, and for interest, its where they shot the river scene in Robin Hood Prince of Thieves!!!