my first slow shutter speed with water

I went up to Tumwater Falls which the Deschutes river flows thru the park...
this was my first try at a slow shutter speed..

Cannon T1i 70-200 1.4 L USM
focal length 73mm
exposure 1.000 sec
apt F/32
iso 100
WB auto

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It appears that F32 (and perhaps a wobbly tripod) are hurting you in terms of sharpness. What makes these shots work is the contrast between sharp shoreline and silky water. You are on the right track but you might want to use a stronger ND filter to so you dont have to do F32, and perhaps compose the shots so you have less shoreline clutter.

thank you.. i have not yet purchased a ND filter... i had a cpl filter that i had to hold up to the camera lens, as i didnt have one to fit.. I am in the process to purchase a few filters one at a time...

what ND filter would be best? the 0.6 or the 0.9?

I use either a 4ND or 10ND depending on light conditions. I find the 10ND brings a balance to the lights and darks more so than the 4ND. But the 10ND is hard to focus at times and changes the color hue. Your photos look slightly over exposed to me in the highlights and they also look a tad gray. Here's a shot using a 10ND for example.
http://www.flickr.com …davetoussaint/5​854217572/

For water blurring the stronger the ND filter the better. If you are serious about this kind of thing you can help yourself by shooting in the morning or evening hours so the light is not as strong and the shadows and contrasting highlights are not so strong as well.

Also if you have different lens sizes IE: my lens are 67, 72 & 77mm filter size I bought a 77mm filter then steup rings to use with my other lens. Saves money!

socalrailfan wrote in post #13402703
I use either a 4ND or 10ND depending on light conditions. I find the 10ND brings a balance to the lights and darks more so than the 4ND. But the 10ND is hard to focus at times and changes the color hue. Your photos look slightly over exposed to me in the highlights and they also look a tad gray. Here's a shot using a 10ND for example.
http://www.flickr.com …davetoussaint/5​854217572/

Excellent shot.

Thanks. I should also point out when I say 4ND 0r 10ND I mean 4 or 10 stop. There's too many ways of what to call these filters.

gonzogolf wrote in post #13402737
Excellent shot.

nice 1st try..much better than what i had gotten on my first try. keep up the good work..you're on the right track. ensure you have a sturdy tripod and you don't need to use F32...keep it around F8/F11 or so.

Like the saying goes "You start by starting". If you take heed to socalrailfan, he has given you excellent information. I'll post one I just shot at f16 at ten seconds with a 4 stop ND, CPL and color enhancer. Keep trying and you will get results.

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Cucamonga Al wrote in post #13403427
Like the saying goes "You start by starting". If you take heed to socalrailfan, he has given you excellent information. I'll post one I just shot at f16 at ten seconds with a 4 stop ND, CPL and color enhancer. Keep trying and you will get results.

Do you have any of this without so much processing?

gonzogolf wrote in post #13403438
Do you have any of this without so much processing?

Absolutely, but I think you will agree the original looks very dull and ordinary. I'll attach.

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Cucamonga Al wrote in post #13403526
Absolutely, but I think you will agree the original looks very dull and ordinary. I'll attach.

No, totally disagree. The first one looks like a pretty girl with too much makeup.

I have to agree with gonzogolf. The first one looks you attempted to make a "very dull and ordinary" photo into something similar to HDR but didn't quite nail it.

gonzogolf wrote in post #13403581
No, totally disagree. The first one looks like a pretty girl with too much makeup.

You know, people are funny. I guess what appeals to some, isn't others cup of tea. It was my #1 selling print over the weekend at a street fair. I guess people out here like girls with too much make-up. What are ya' going to do!!!!!