How to Photograph Streams and Waterfalls

Contributor

By Richard Burke
eHow Contributing Writer

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(4 Ratings)

Maui Stream

Most people agree that there is no more pleasant a sound than a gurgling stream or falling water. I think this dates back to our pre-history when the sound meant drinkable water, something that humans need to survive. Moving water, however, is challenging to photograph for a number of reasons. It is constantly in motion requiring careful decisions about shutter speed and tripods. In addition, water reflects creating while specular highlights that require control. Also, water is a light modifier allowing some light to pass and reflect from objects, but also reflecting objects in the still parts of the water. Want a photographic challenge? Head for a waterfall or stream. Read on to learn some tips that might help on your junket.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

A camera
A tripod
A waterfall

Step 1

Freeze Motion

Think about movement. In many cases you may want to freeze the action of the waterfall or stream by using a fast shutter speed. This is a small waterfall in the jungle of Maui. I could not get any closer and I used a fast shutter (1/500th) to freeze the motion. This waterfall is so delicate that if I decided to blur the motion I was afraid the stream would not be visible.
Step 2

Slow Shutter Speed

This is an image taken of a stream with a slow shutter speed to blur the water motion. A tripod was used so that I could get a deep depth of field (f11) allowing me to see clearly to the bottom where the water was not moving in the foreground. The moving water at the top of the stream is blurred by motion causing the reflections to look liquid. All I needed was a fish at the bottom. The shutter speed is a critical creative element in photographing moving water. The shutter speed decision should be made first when photographing moving water.
Step 3

Reflections

Streams and waterfalls reflect light in addition to modifying light. In this picture you can see that the rocks below the stream are being modified slightly by the autumn foliage. The bright reflections of the leaves in the still water give the image most of its color. Some of the color is modified as it travels through the water changing the color of the rocks below the surface.
Step 4

Manmade Waterfalls

Manmade waterfalls can also be interesting and sometimes provide easier access than those of nature. This is a good place to practice before spending 2 hours hiking to get to the real thing. You can find interesting manmade waterfalls on golf courses, in hotel lobbies and theme parks. This one is in a resort lobby in Maui.
Step 5

Different Seasons

Waterfalls and streams look different at different times of the year. This little stream is on one of our regular hiking paths and in the summer is filled with water. Even in the winter the water is still flowing under all that snow. Thanks to the angle of the light and season, each stream and waterfall has different “looks” and should be visited frequently to determine the optimum time to photograph the subject.
Step 6

Deep Thoughts at Fallingwater

Use waterfalls as backgrounds for other sorts of images. This is an old portrait of a friend taken outside Frank Lloyd Wright’s “Fallingwater." The setting provides a great background for this “thoughtful” picture. If she had been smiling or looking at the camera it would not have been as effective. Waterfalls and streams are great places to work on your photographic skills because of the unique challenges they present for photographers. Think of them as outdoor photo labs where you can practice and refine your skills and also be one with the world.

Comments

xivyisazombiex said

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on 9/5/2009 Informative article full of important guidelines. thank you.

tnpos said

on 6/28/2009 I enjot taking pictures of nature. I really enjoy water and streams. Us Pa people think alike in so many ways. Great article! 5

cb4me said

on 6/16/2009 Thanks for the tips, I was trying to capture a good photo of a wishing well fountain over the weekend. Wish I would have had this info then!