Shooting water/waves

[d1ddy84]

Hi guys anyone give me some simple guidance on how to catch waves and moving waves? Thanks

 

[Dale_tem]

play with shutter speed, you may need 1/500 to freeze motion (or even faster), or try 1/25 handheld or slower with a tripod to add movement and if you go into seconds (will need an ND filter) you can make it milky smooth

 

[d1ddy84]

Thanks! Think ill have to purchase a ND filter then, will this make much difference or just give that cool smooth effect?

 

[rohit]

Follow these steps!!!
1.Wait for the Right Time.
2.Use a Wide-Angle Lens.
3.Use a Fast Shutter Speed.
4.Capture Movement
Hope it helps

 

[Dale_tem]

Find a position and try different shutters speeds, it can make a huge difference. The photo of HMS Belfast in my Flickr account was a 30 second exposure.

 

[markmullen]

It all depends on what effect you want.

This was taken at 1/160th and froze the wave breaking

Rough Seas At Sandsend by mark_mullen, on Flickr

A bit slower you get some action in the waves; this was 0.6 seconds

Wet Feet by mark_mullen, on Flickr


A bit slower still, 2 seconds, and you still get some action but it is smoother

Washed Up by mark_mullen, on Flickr

At the very long exposure end you can make the water all silky, this was 3 minutes 20 seconds

Scarborough South Bay Sunrise Long Exposure by mark_mullen, on Flickr

 

[Mystery57]

some nice shots Mark - Im guessing you had to use an ND filter for most of them ?

 

[markmullen]

some nice shots Mark - Im guessing you had to use an ND filter for most of them ?

Thanks Andrew,

The first had just a grad for the sky, the second and third used a 3 stop solid ND and the fourth a Big Stopper, all in conjunction with grads for the skies.

 

[Mystery57]

Certainly an incentive for me to consider starting to purchase them.

Ive heard of a Big Stopper but havent a clue what it is though

cheers
Andrew

 

[markmullen]

Certainly an incentive for me to consider starting to purchase them.

Ive heard of a Big Stopper but havent a clue what it is though

cheers
Andrew

This blog post might help

http://www.markmullenphotography.co.uk/blog/2012/8/long-exposure-photography---my-tips

 

[Mystery57]

nice one Mark thanks for that - some amazing photos on it

cheers

 

[d1ddy84]

Great replies everyone thanks 👍

As for wait for the right time to take the shot, I waited so long the other day I could hardly press any buttons as my hands were numb lol

Some great example shots of the waves posted above if I came anywhere near close to these I would be well impressed!

Big stopper!! Ill have to research that one too cheers

 

[Seajay]

Great thread with very good information and Mark amazing photos I loved seeing them

Cathy