Using Slow Shutter for WaterFalls?

[dfuccillo]

My goal is to photograph a waterfall/Fast running river with a slow shutter speed resulting in the water being blurred, but still having it exposed properly.

I'm using a Canon EOS 10D with the Canon 28-105MM 3.5-4.5.

I experimented today and found I was limited. I wanted to use F11 but was foreced to use 1/30 sec.

How would I be able to use a slower shutter speed but still keep good exposure?

Thanks

Dave Fuccillo

[ssim]

First and foremost you should setup on a tripod.

When I do this I set the ISO as low as your camera will allow and then I experiment with a variety of shutter speeds and f stops. In part it depends on how fast moving the water is. If it is fast then a shutter speed in the neighborhood of 1/15-1/30th should be sufficient. It all depends on how much blur you want in the water. On the occasions that I do this I would normally take around 30 shots across the different exposure levels.

Of course I always shoot RAW so that I can get the most of the image.

[steven]

This is one time that having a ND filter will come in handy.
Use these filters to reduce the lighting by 1, 2, or 3 stops.
They are not expensive and easy to use.

[Scottes]

Definitely experiment with shutter times. I've taken a lot of shots of waterfalls - well at least 10 shots each of 15-20 falls - and each fall has it's own "best" setting. I can't even begin to estimate the "best" shutter speed for any falls I see. (Though perhaps I should line up all the best ones and put some thought into it.)

But each waterfall has a personality, and lighting, and surroundings... And the speed of the water can change depending on season or recent rainfall. Experiment!

A set of Neutral Density filters is a great - perhaps necessary - addition to your kit if you're going to do a lot of waterfalls. Even if you don't have those, a polarizer will add about two stops. Be warned though - the polarizer can offer many more possibilities which lead to more exposures. Should you put the polarizer on full or partial polarization? Where's the sun coming from? What about reflections on the surroundings?

I go crazy thinking about all this when I shoot falls. Let alone if you get a set of cascades or pools... Here's some shots from a shoot of such falls, where I spent about 2 hours shooting several hundred exposures and another hour just enjoying the place. http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?p=339414

[Scottes]

dfuccillo: I just noticed that you're from Derry, NH. The shoot above was from Diana's Baths in Conway. Git Yer Butt Up There! Gorgeous place.

I very highly recommend the books "New England Waterfalls: A Guide to More Than 200 Cascades and Waterfalls" and "Waterfalls of the White Mountains" if you don't already own them. They are both spot-on for the 15 or 20 that I've visited so far. Great books for a waterfall hunter.

[Homer]

dfuccillo,
A good tripod is a must to get the best out of your waterfall shots. Last time I was shooting a waterfall there was too much light and I wish I had a ND filter, I did have a polarizer and that did help considerably but there was still too much light and I couldn't get a long enough exposure. I set the exposure compensation to +2 to get a longer exposure and because I was shooting in RAW I was able to correct the exposure with post processing. It made enough difference to improve the shot.

[nat869]

I have got some great waterfall pics with my 10D. Use a tripod and remote release, set your iso to 100, use aperture priority and try to shoot in the early morning or evening. That should get your shutter nice and slow.

[Citizensmith]

Tripod for the slow shutter speeds, slowest ISO you have, tighten down the appeture (f/16ish) and slap on a ND and/or polarizer, and shoot in a shadowy area or at the ends of the day. You are aiming for at least 5 second shutter speed. Something around 30 seconds can give some really soft effects.

[mbze430]

Here is a little sample I did recently. Shooting info is on that same webpage

http://mysite.verizon.net/turbo2/album/Nature/Landscape/slides/waterfall002.html

[dfuccillo]

Thanks to all that replied. I will experiment with all suggestions...

Dave Fuccillo:)

[12345Michael54321]

I'll repeat what's already been stated - tripod and ND filter.

BTW, steven, they're not just 1, 2, or 3 stops. B+W offers 6-stop, 10-stop, 13-stop, even 20-stop ND filters. Although you'd be correct in assuming that a 20-stop ND filter is of somewhat limited value to most photographers, requires some special techniques to use properly, and isn't likely to be in stock at most mall camera shops. (The darkest ND filter I own is the 6-stop version. On the rather unlikely chance I'll have need of more light attenuation than that, I'll stack a 3-stop ND filter on top of it.)

Waterfall pictures from Bushkill Falls, PA: http://www.time4email.com/falls/

Great Falls of the Potomac: http://www.time4email.com/1487-1491-800.jpg
Great Falls w/kayaker: http://www.time4email.com/1316-1324b-800.jpg

The first Great Falls picture is a panorama derived from 5 images, the second a panorama derived from 9 images. Both taken with a Digital Rebel, 50mm f/1.8 lens, and Bogen 3001 tripod.

[dfuccillo]

Thanks to all of your suggestions, I got some neat waterfall shots.

Thanks again!

Dave Fuccillo

[Citizensmith]

Thanks to all of your suggestions, I got some neat waterfall shots.


So you going to post some then??? :)

[Steve Parr]

Waterfall pictures from Bushkill Falls, PA: http://www.time4email.com/falls/

THIS is a great shot:

http://www.time4email.com/falls/photos/falls4.jpg

Nicely done, man...

Steve

[byso]

that is a top shot....something to aspire too.

[smittymike19]

really, that is a great shot. but after all of this discussion you didnt tell us how you did it. nd? exif info? etc... cmon man, dont hold back :)

[mbze430]

Velvia 50

8 sec exposure, at F/18. Cir-Pol used. Didn't need a ND on this one because it was overcast in the area.

http://mysite.verizon.net/turbo2/album/Nature/Landscape/slides/waterfall001.jpg

[hickory]

Here's one I shot of Leesburg Falls in Pennsylvania.
0.70s f/32.0 at 28.0mm iso200 with a uv haze filter no tripod I was laying in snow with the camera on a log.

[12345Michael54321]

really, that is a great shot. but after all of this discussion you didnt tell us how you did it. nd? exif info? etc
I'm not sure, but are you referring to my shot? Because I give quite a few technical details at http://www.time4email.com/falls/ and clicking on the thumbnail for the picture in question brings up a larger image complete with specific exposure information.

[Theorist]

Lots of sense been posted above. I'm new to digital so I've not tried this on my 300D, but something I used to do on film was to superimpose several shots (rock solid tripod essential) at differing shutter speeds. the effect is to get movement and detail in the water. especially good if the water is splashing. You will need to experement - but that's one of the great advantages of digital, experementation is free!