Fuzzy Waterfall, how to...

Ash Telecaster · May 21, 2019

Hey all,

The fun continues! I shot a bird, some trees, water, and the moon but what's next!?!

Well I plan on trying to get the milky way and I think I have it figured out but that will be a time and opportunity thing. In other words; when the stars align!

In the meantime I thought I might try a waterfall with that neat fuzzy water effect I've seen others on the site get. I believe it is related to using a slow shutter speed. I was hoping I could some get some tips, pointers, and settings!

Thank you!

dxqcanada · May 21, 2019

Yes, very slow shutter speed + tripod.
You may encounter a problem if the natural lighting does not permit speeds slower than 1sec ... then you need to add a neutral density filter to reduce the light entering the lens.

dxqcanada · May 21, 2019

forgot to add
Set ISO to lowest
Use a small aperture ... f16, 22, 32 ... some lenses do not perform that great at smallest
take many shots at different speeds

stapo49 · May 21, 2019

Also either set your cameras internal timer or use a cable release to stop camera shake when you hit the shutter button. For a micro 4/3 camera around f7, f8 is good to start. If you shoot in manual mode you can adjust settings to suit.

If you use a ND filter you can focus with auto focus and then switch to manual focus to set your focus. Also turn of image stabilization if you have it in your camera.

Sent from my SM-G965F using Tapatalk

RowdyRay · May 21, 2019

Dennis has you on the right track. A Tripod is a must. A remote shutter release is helpful too. Because the shutter will be open longer, it's best if it's a calm day. Moving foliage will be blurred. Youtube has a number of good videos.

Here's one I took. Tried about a dozen different combination of settings. Liked this one best. No filters used, it was a dreary fall day. The settings are listed below.

043

Soocom1 · May 21, 2019

There are several aspects already covered, but one thing I would recommend is when you set up the camera, try different angles at the falls. Dont just shoot a straight on view.

Secondly, though more of an advanced technique, if you have a macro, set the camera close to the water level and shoot upward toward the falls with the tripod set up.
Dont go quickly and practice before you get near the water.
Also, if you have a bag and rubber band to protect the camera from spray.

Ash Telecaster · May 22, 2019

Spectacular, thank you for the help, can't wait to try it!

Nice photo Rowdy, I like how the trees frame the shot!

Amocholes · May 22, 2019

I took this one 2 weeks ago using some of the advice I learned from other members.

I used a ND filter

ƒ/22.0

55.0 mm

39.4 Sec

100 ISO

Ash Telecaster · May 22, 2019

Amocholes said:
I took this one 2 weeks ago using some of the advice I learned from other members.

I used a ND filter

ƒ/22.0

55.0 mm

39.4 Sec

100 ISO

That looks awesome! Thanks for the settings!

Original katomi · May 23, 2019

Advanced warning. Ba humbug
I think that the water fall and milk rivers are cleaver but think that they have dad their day. See so many now
I know ice cube water is not the way to go and my personal preferences is a balance between frozen moment and the milk water effect where movement is seen.
Have fun with it, prove me wrong but please don’t get stuck on one idea
And if you want to cuss me for being an old fossil.. by all means feel free

GrantWoj · May 23, 2019

One thing to keep in mind, you can achieve a similar result in post production by taking multiple pictures to fake a long exposure if you don't have a solid ND filter.

Derrel · May 23, 2019

Shutter open time.... from 1 second to 15 seconds...the rendering of the water is quite variable, depending on both shutter time and water flow/speed.

Ash Telecaster · May 23, 2019

Original katomi said:
Advanced warning. Ba humbug
I think that the water fall and milk rivers are cleaver but think that they have dad their day. See so many now
I know ice cube water is not the way to go and my personal preferences is a balance between frozen moment and the milk water effect where movement is seen.
Have fun with it, prove me wrong but please don’t get stuck on one idea
And if you want to cuss me for being an old fossil.. by all means feel free

Not ba humbug. I understand your poin and it is a good one. But I'm a novice and trying to learn by doing. It makes sense to do things that have been done before to learn. Plus, it's been done a lot becasue it produces a desirable outcome which you can apply to other shots where is makes sense. So today it's a fuzzy waterfall, tomorrow it's the Milky Way!

Ash Telecaster · May 23, 2019

Thank you everybody! I am going to try this today. Taking down notes and getting my stuff together right now. It's not my favorite waterfall and the light isn't great but its close by and good practice for when I can get to a better location.

Tomorrow night I'm going to a designated dark site to try and capture the Milky Way!

Ash Telecaster · May 23, 2019

The sun was down behind the ridge and it was a little hazy so the light wasn't great but I did get a fuzzy waterfall. I was messing with the contrast and with the contrast up high it was less real but more dreamy so I saved it like that. Thank you everybody for all the help!