How to Photograph a Waterfall - Get that Misty Look

Have you ever wondered how photographers get that misty, frothy look in their photographs of waterfalls.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 35mm Camera - Film or Digital
• A tripod - essential
• Knoweldge of your camera settings

1. 
    
   This is portrait orientation.

   Start by setting up your tripod. Determine the best angle and whether you want a tight photo or a wide-area photo. Tight photo simply means to zoom in enough so that the area you want to photograph is framed. Imagine when you look through the view finder that you are looking through a picture frame. Now while looking through your frame zoom in or out until you get enough of the scene in your frame that you feel comfortable with.

2. 
    
   This is landscape orientation.

   Decide whether you want your photograph to be in landscape or portrait view. Landscape view is achieved by simply holding the camera correctly and shooting. Portrait orientation means to turn the camera sideways to get a longer look to the photograph. (See the photo captions for this step and the previous step for landscape and portrait orientations).

3. 
    
   Example of a fast shutter speed. The water looks in focus.

   Now that you have your tripod set up and your photograph's orientation established, determine your lighting conditions. If it is a sunny day you will want your ISO settings at 200. Change your digital SLR camera mode to Aperture Priority Mode. (If you do not have a digital SLR but your camera is digital see your user's guide for your camera). In this setting you will change the amount of time that your lens remains open to F22, F25, or F29. You may need to play with this setting depending on how your camera will perform. What you are doing here is trying to keep your lens open long enough to get the flowing water to blur but yet keep your landscape in sharp focus. Beware if you keep the lens open too long you will let in too much light and wash out your photograph. If you keep the lens open for too short an amount of time your water will look sharp and clear, which is not the desired effect here. (See the photograph for this step to see what happens when then lens is not left open long enough).

4. 
    
   Example of not leaving the shutter open long enough.

   You're all set now. The camera is on the tripod, your settings are correct, now shoot! If your entire photo is blurring, then you are moving the camera slightly while it's sitting on the tripod. To help correct this, set your auto timer so the camera will take the photo for you without the shake. When you press the shutter button down you can inadvertently shake the camera. If you have a remote control for your camera then definitely use the remote. Don't forget to play with the settings to get the best effect.

[jmessina10]

on 7/7/2008 These are great tips. Will have to try this out next time I'm at a waterfall.

[giddygastronome]

on 6/12/2008 I wrote a comment and posted it, but somehow or the other, it did not register.
Anyhow, I shall try again LOL!

I am really enjoying your free tutorials on photography. I really need this because of my food and soap blog. Can I ask for your advice in the future?
giddygastronome.

[TheMuse]

on 5/30/2008 I have taken some photography classes and am still learning to take photographs with the correct settings. It's a challenge to learn and practice when life is busy. Try your local township and see if they have photography classes. They usually do have these classes and they are most affordable. If go within my district the cost is only $45.00 for a four-week class, each class at 1.5 hours. I had a great teacher. In addition to learning to photography we were also taught some tricks to use with photo-editing software.

[writetruth]

on 5/30/2008 This is Excellent Information!! Thank you for writing this article. I LoVE taking pictures and learning how to correctly. LOL! I am going to our nearest waterfall, which is pretty close, and practice... 5 Stars ~!~