photographing waterfalls Archives - Infrared Conversions, IR Modifications & Photography Tutorials

Waterfalls are great subjects to photograph. But it’s not always easy to capture photos that do the scene justice. The good news is that with just a little bit of planning and thinking before taking the photo, you will be able to see a massive improvement in your waterfall photos. In the meantime here are 10 tips to help you capture those stunning waterfall photos.

1. Time it right

Usually, a photographer is desperate for a string of clear days with some sunshine and no rain, however, the best time for photographing waterfalls is after rainfall because not only will the flow of the water be in full force but the rain will also have saturated the greens in the forest and the moss on the rocks which will give you a beautiful luminous green colour. You can also look forward to those cloudy or overcast days, as the even light will compensate for the harsh contrasts between the rocks or vegetation and the water. Cloudy days are also great for photographing waterfalls as the diffused light means you will get less contrast between highlights and shadows.

2. Get there early

Unless you pick a waterfall that is difficult to get to, it will likely attract crowds, so if you want to have it all to yourself you are best getting there very early in the morning. If you do find however that it is busier than you would like, just be patient and wait for a gap in the flow of traffic, or get as close as you can in order to crop out anyone in the way.

3. Don’t forget your tripod

Unless you use a tripod, you will find it near impossible to take photos with a slow shutter speed without having getting camera shake in the shot. Whilst you could always try using a stone or tree, this limits where you can take your photos from. It doesn’t need to cost the earth, but equally try not to go for the cheapest tripod as even a gust of wind could introduce shake. A cable release could also be a good investment as even the slightest touch on the shutter button could create camera shake. But alternatively set your camera on a 2 seconds timer if you don’t have a remote release.

4. Use a slow shutter speed

Everyone will have a different preference in the way they photograph water and there is no right or wrong way. Some prefer to capture the detail in the water, whereas some prefer to capture the smooth silk-like movement. The shutter speed you use is key to determining how much movement you have in the water. 1/15th sec should be a good starting point for blurring the water (go even slower for more blur) and 1/250th or higher should start to freeze the water. But again this will depend on fast the flow of the water is.

5. Look for people

Adding people into your photographs helps to make your photos look original and also give them context. Including people provides a sense of scale to your image, and it can also help tell a story and make the photo much more interesting. However do ensure you are using a fast enough shutter speed to shoot handheld, or better still, use a tripod.

6. Shoot in portrait and landscape format

It always seems to feel natural to shoot in a landscape format. Whilst it is important to make sure you cover this off, remembering to place your point of interest on the left or right-hand side. It is also essential that you shoot in portrait format as well. This is especially important if the waterfall you are photographing is high. But shooting portrait will also give the scene a sense of scale especially if you can have a point of interest like a person in the foreground.

7. Lenses, filters and polarizer

Having good quality lenses is essential. You could also try using a wide-angle lens if you can and want to include the whole waterfall.
If you are shooting in the day you will need the correct filters. The best ones for waterfalls are polarizing filter and neutral density filters. The polarizing filter will help control the reflections off the water and although may darken the image slightly, it can also bring out the blues in the sky and greens in the foliage. By using a neutral density filter you can limit the amount of light that enters the lens so you can use a longer shutter speed without overexposure.

8. Add points of interest

One of the best ways to capture waterfalls is when they are in contrast to the plants, foliage and rocks around them, so look out for something unique you can incorporate into your photo. Fallen leaves, trees and even people can transform an image and give it a completely distinctive look and feel. You could even sometimes make the waterfall secondary in your composition and have the focus on a different element in the scene such as leaves on the ground or even the flow of the water.

9. Be careful

Water and slippery rocks can be incredibly dangerous but also very damaging to your equipment. Wear appropriate footwear to make hiking and navigating steep pathways easier, protect your camera from any watery mist that could be coming from a powerful waterfall, and make sure any valuables are in a waterproof casing.

10. Take a few essential items

Alongside your camera gear, just taking a few of these items will also become very useful in helping your capture great waterfall shots

A plastic bag – cut a hole at the end and poke your lens through and it will help keep your camera dry.
Shorts (or swimming trunks) – depending on the waterfall that you are going to be photographing, you may wish to get into the water for a better view. Short or swimming trunks will mean that you can walk into the water without getting your trousers wet.
Towel – not only can you use it to dry your camera from the spray of water but if you decide to stand in the water you can use it to dry your feet before putting your shoes on.

By using these tips you should see a massive improvement in your waterfall photos. But you will also find that with practice and experience you will also improve. So, there you have it. Our 10 tips to improve your waterfall photos.

Who doesn’t like seeing a waterfall? And there is nothing quite like seeing a waterfall in full flow, but capturing unique images of waterfalls can be challenging. You will often be working in low light conditions and unless the waterfall takes a lot of effort to get to, you will be sharing it with hoards of other people. Just follow these few simple tips and transform your photos.

Wait For The Right Time

Waterfalls are best seen and photographed in full force which is usually after rainfall. So do your research and find out when the best time is to photograph them. Some waterfalls will be mere trickles in the summer months where as others will flow all year long. Try to work out which way the waterfall faces and plan your shoot accordingly. It will be much easier to photograph the waterfall with the light coming from behind you rather than in front. Cloudy days are great for photographing waterfalls as the diffused light means you will get less contrast between highlights and shadows.

Think About The Composition

It’s important to compose your images to work with the river and waterfall. Don’t simply place your waterfall in the middle of the picture if it doesn’t look right; instead, try to direct the viewer’s eyes with the shape of the river to the waterfall. Placing a point of interest in the foreground is also a great way of direct the viewers attention from one object to another. The key is to really study the scene, take your time and work out the composition that works best.

Decide On Your Settings

Do you want to freeze that action or get a smooth effect on the water? There’s no right answer, just what you want your photograph to say. If you want to freeze the action you will need a fast shutter speed which will be dependent on how fast the water is flowing. Start at around 1/250s and work your way up until you get the desired effect. For smooth looking water you’ll need a slower shutter speed. Again, start at around 1/15s and work your way down. Remember that if you are going to be using a slow shutter speed you will need a tripod.

Think About Surroundings

One of the best ways to capture waterfalls is when they are in contrast to the plants, rocks and foliage around them, so look out for these elements around the waterfall that you can incorporate into your photo. Fallen trees, leaves and even people can transform an image and give it a completely unique look and feel. You could even sometimes make the waterfall secondary in the composition and have the focus on another element in the scene such leaves on the ground or even the flow of the water.

Use A Polarizing Filter

A polarizing filter is incredibly useful when photographing any body of water. Not only will it limit unwanted reflections, but it will also help boost the saturation of blues and greens which are in abundant in and around waterfalls. They are fairly cheap and can also act as extra protection for your lens glass from the water.

Be Patient

Unless the waterfall you are photographing requires a lot of effort to get to, it will likely attract crowds. One way to avoid this is to arrive very early in the day when you usually have the place to yourself. But if you do find that it’s busy just be patient and wait for a gap, but make sure you are ready and have your camera set up to go so that you don’t miss the opportunity. Or, you could always incorporate people into your composition to give a sense of scale and tell a completely different story.

Waterfalls make for fantastic photos and offer many different way of capturing them. But as with all landscape photography, try to think beyond the obvious and don’t be afraid to take risks with your composition and settings. Waterfalls are pretty well photographed and to make your images stand out you need to be prepared to dedicate the time and effort needed to capture them at their best.

Show us your waterfall photos and share your tips and experiences below.

10 Tips On Photographing Waterfalls