How to shoot a stream or waterfall with a SLR?

Waterfalls are a spectacular natural phenomenon, which almost attracts the attention of landscape photographers. Waterfalls are the favorite theme of experienced professionals and novices. However, novice photographers often face various challenges and disappointments again and again. Because of the seemingly obvious shooting skills, the effect after shooting is not ideal.

Different from other natural objects, waterfalls are full of various features. You need to know them. It is unrealistic to rely on expensive photographic equipment. To take an impressive waterfall photo, you need to be familiar with the function of your camera. In contrast, the secret of success lies in good lighting rather than photography skills. No matter what kind of camera you have, you can improve the art of taking pictures. These five waterfall photography suggestions are well worth seeing.

First, choose the right weather. Most waterfalls are located in tropical rain forests or dense vegetation areas. If you are familiar with the lighting rules suitable for shooting them, there will be no problem. In this area, the most successful shooting is in cloudy weather, when the clouds make the light uniform and the contrast is low.

On a cloudy day, the waterfall has no dazzling shadow, but you still need to try, not destroy the picture. Try to avoid flashing lights, otherwise it will destroy the atmosphere brought by dim natural light.

In addition, shooting on windy days is not recommended: when working with a low-speed shutter, swaying trees will blur the background in the image.

Second, choose the appropriate shutter speed and tripod position. Everyone knows that photographers can get a soft effect when shooting running water with a very low shutter speed. This is a popular and well-known photography technique, which is often used, but it is not the only possible way to shoot this kind of scenery.

Some photos taken in this way look amazing, but it's boring if all the photos are taken with the same technology. In addition, the "thin" fluid effect does not apply to all waterfalls. As Andrew said, when shooting at low speed (usually Goode will set the shutter speed to 1 sec), cascading and falling on multi-layer rocks looks great. But the waterfalls directly along the windowsill to the swimming pool look better and the images are clearer-try removing them by 30/s or15/s with the camera.

No matter what speed you choose, you must have a tripod. If you are in the forest and it is cloudy during the day, then the light is not enough. Whether you like it or not, we must shoot at low speed.

The photos taken in this way will look amazing, but if all the photos are taken in the same way, it will be boring. In addition, the flow effect is not suitable for all waterfalls. When shooting at low speed (usually the shutter speed is set to 1 sec). This waterfall looks better and the image is clearer-try shooting at a camera shutter speed of 30/s or 15/s to test it.

Third, try to photograph the water flow in different areas. When you get to the waterfall, the first obvious reaction is to stand in front of the waterfall and shoot directly. If you carefully observe the direction of the waterfall, you can get better results. You will find an interesting perspective (the main waterfall is in the background) or you can cut the scene through branches. When shooting waterfalls, it is not limited to one photo, and you can take multiple photos from multiple angles.

Fourth, the use of wide-angle lenses For several reasons, wide-angle lenses have come in handy. First, a wide-angle lens has a natural depth of field. If you shoot water at a low shutter speed, it is very important that the rest of the picture is clear. When moving the main object, it is important that the environment is not out of focus, otherwise the image will become blurred.

Secondly, the wide-angle lens has a magnified angle of view, which makes the viewer feel as if he is in a tropical forest and sees a real waterfall instead of a flat picture.

Fifth, let the water flow shoot according to the predetermined direction in the picture. Photographers use the lines and shapes in the picture through composition thinking. The direction of water movement can produce a strong visual flow in the picture, and the audience's eyes will follow it inadvertently. So it should be used as a tool for synthesizing photos. If you stand downstream, the water will flow in the direction of the camera lens, and the image will show a clear direction. The current will attract the audience's attention.