When it comes to photographs of nature, there’s nothing quite like shots of waterfalls. From breathtaking shots of water cascading down over moss-covered rocks to images of smaller falls lit up by the rays of the sun, waterfalls are an inherently interesting and beautiful subject to shoot.
For photographers who are just starting out, taking effective photos of waterfalls can be a bit tricky at first. To get the best shots possible, consider the following tips.
image by Dina Eric [1]
1. Get the Right Equipment
To capture Mother Nature’s aquatic majesty in all her wonder, you must have the right equipment. A tripod [2] is often essential when shooting waterfalls [3].
Because you will probably be doing some walking to get close enough to your watery subject, choose a tripod that is lightweight and easy to carry. Travel Photograph has a great guide as well as tripod reviews [4].
Also, since most photographers who shoot waterfalls end up with at least a few droplets on their equipment, be sure to take along something to dry off your expensive camera and lens. Instead of using the bottom of your T-shirt—which might actually damage sensitive lenses and filters—bring a soft and absorbent cloth.
2. Try Different Techniques
As Lightstalking notes, you can get really spectacular results by learning to freeze the motion of the water [5].
To achieve this, you will need to use a fast shutter speed—somewhere around 1/100th of a second at the very slowest. Due to the rapid shutter speed, try to shoot the waterfall when there’s a decent amount of light available. In most cases, this means in the later morning or shortly after noon, when the sun is right overhead. This will help your camera capture the perfect frozen shot. If it’s super bright and there’s a lot of glare, use a circular polarizer filter that will help offset the reflection your camera will pick up from the water.
3. Practice Basic Safety Rules
Although learning to take great shots of waterfalls can be gratifying and fun, it can also be a bit dangerous at times. It is important to follow several safety precautions while shooting waterfalls:
- If capturing the perfect waterfall means traveling down a river or stream for a while, don’t assume that you can just rent any boat and start rowing. Before heading out, find out if your state requires you to take a boating safety course or get some kind of certification. For example, boaters in Florida who were born on or after January 1, 1988, must have a Florida Boater Education I.D. Card to operate a motorized watercraft.
- Wear sturdy and slip-proof shoes, especially when getting up close to the edge of the water, where footing can get slippery.
- If photographing a waterfall takes you to the top of the cascading water, be aware and cautious of the rapidly running current that is sending the water below.
Conclusion
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