How to Photograph an Object Splashing in Water

Photographing water action requires a fast shutter speed.

Whether you're covering a college water polo game or just taking snapshots of your children splashing around in the backyard pool, the ability to successfully capture fast aqua action is a great photographic skill to have. Unless you intend to blur your image for artistic effect, a sharp image requires a camera with high ISO (sensor sensitivity) and a fast maximum shutter speed. With this combination, you'll be able to produce crisp captures in a range of lighting conditions.

Instructions

1. Access your camera's shooting menu and set your ISO according to the lighting conditions. If you are shooting outside on a sunny day, an ISO of 100 or 200 will suffice. If you are in deep shade or shooting at night, increase your ISO to 400 or 800. As a general rule: the dimmer the lighting, the higher the ISO.

2. Set your camera to shutter-priority mode (indicated by an "S" on selector dials or "Tv" on LCD screen menus). This allows you to choose the shutter speed while the camera automatically selects an aperture (size of lens opening) that will result in a properly exposed photo.

3. Change the camera's shutter speed to 1/1000th of a second or greater, as this will freeze both the moving and the splashing water that surrounds it. If your chosen ISO does not allow for 1/1000s, increase it. The higher your ISO is, the faster your maximum shutter speed will be.

4. Point your camera at the subject and compose the image in the viewfinder.

5. Hold the camera steady and press the shutter button gently to take the photograph.

Tips & Warnings

• If your subject is moving quickly through the water (i.e. as in a fish or swimmer), pan the camera along with it and press the shutter when ready. This keeps the subject sharp and in focus while adding a slight motion blur to the surroundings.

• Hold the camera with your elbows pointed toward your body, and exhale before pressing the shutter to reduce camera shake and vibration blur.

• Ensure that your camera does not get wet while photographing the subject. Wipe away any water droplets using a lens tissue or a soft microfiber cloth.

References

• Shutterbug: Action Photography
• The Digital SLR Guide: When to change your ISO setting