Is it safe to shoot sparkling water with a telephoto lens?

[kirstinriga]

Hello,

I would like to take photos of surfers and moments captured of sparkling water but I am concerned about my eye safety. Is it safe to do so?

I work with a Nikon D850 (DSLR) and 2 lenses - 24-70mm and 70-200mm and I am wondering if it is safe to point my camera towards sparkling/glittering water and shoot it? It just seems to me that it's pretty much the same as shooting the Sun as it's a reflection of it? Is there anything to know when taking photos in these scenarios? I'll also attach a ton of photo references of exactly what I mean.

I'm just super concerned. Could anyone help me with this please?

 

[wfooshee]

If you can look at the viewfinder image, you're OK. Obviously, don't look at the sun through the viewfinder, but in these instances, the sensitive part of your eye is where the eye is actually looking, which is an astonishingly small area. if it wasn't, you couldn't even walk around in sunlight without going blind.
Unless you stare at the bright reflections, it's nothing.

 

[Don Fischer]

The only reason you can see anything near you is the sun reflects off of it.

 

[RAZKY]

Hello,

I would like to take photos of surfers and moments captured of sparkling water but I am concerned about my eye safety. Is it safe to do so?

I work with a Nikon D850 (DSLR) and 2 lenses - 24-70mm and 70-200mm and I am wondering if it is safe to point my camera towards sparkling/glittering water and shoot it? It just seems to me that it's pretty much the same as shooting the Sun as it's a reflection of it? Is there anything to know when taking photos in these scenarios? I'll also attach a ton of photo references of exactly what I mean.

I'm just super concerned. Could anyone help me with this please?

Some good information here:

Understanding & Using Polarizing Filters

www.cambridgeincolour.com

 

[JoolsW]

I spent many hours shooting surfing with long lenses years ago - with no ill effects at all.

 

[kirstinriga]

I spent many hours shooting surfing with long lenses years ago - with no ill effects at all.

That's good to hear. And you didn't use any precautions or exra gear? I have a polarizer but I think you don't want to use it if you want to capture sparkles.

 

[Woolsocks]

If you live in an apartment like I do, you can get a LCD panel instead of using a standard peephole. Well they make a similar item for videographers who shoot with DSLR's. Buy one and watch the LCD screen live, instead of looking through the view finder. You have to search for them with google.