Shooting moving water..

GavSt

GavSt

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Gav
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what settings should i be using to get the best effect when shooting flowing water? i.e streams... waterfalls... lakes/lochs

Ta.
 
For the smooth silky look you want Shutter 2-5 Seconds and App on lowest settings

For the freeze effect you're looking around 1/250 or higher really.
 
A Neutral Density filter can also help create a dreamy look when photographing moving water.
 
Circular polarising filter can also help remove some of the reflected light - if you don't want it in your photo.
 
Following on from this is there a way to reduce the light getting to the camera? I tried taking some shots at the beach yesterday and it was fairly overcast but still with a 90-300 lens and the smallest aperture (about f40) I wasn't able to take exposures longer than about 1/5 second without over exposing - am I missing something really obvious?
 
>>Following on from this is there a way to reduce the light getting to the camera?

You need an 'ND' filter - Neutral Density filter. linkie
 
The silky smooth water effect is a bit overdone these days - maybe try a double exposure with a long exposure to smooth it and a fast one to freeze it then play in PS (or similar) to see the different effects.

If you're after long exposures, try to avoid using the smallest apertures (highest numbers), stick to around f/11 or so to avoid softness due to diffraction. Use extra ND filtration if necessary.

To get an adjustable ND effect, try using 2 polarising filters - if using "modern" cameras (AF, AE etc), the one fitted to the lens will need to be a Circular Polariser. The one furthest from the lens will need to be a Linear Polariser. By adjusting the relationship between the 2, you'll be able to adjust how much light gets through as well as the usual polarising effect.
 
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