What should I have done different?

[AustinChap]

Shot of Minnehaha Falls at 11:30am
Nikon d3100 with the kit lens 18-55mm

Number one
F/36
1/3sec.
ISO-100

Number two
F/8
1/640 sec.
ISO-800

 

[jgooz]

i like #1 better, i think the area around the falls should be exposed better with detail but thats just me. and i've never taken photos like this

 

[NikonME]

You are under exposed and loose a lot of detail in the land and foliage, which is causing a lot of blowout in the blacks. The water has a few spots that are over exposed and blown out too. The image seems a little blurred.

Are you using a ND filter?

Did you use a good tripod or was your camera just being steadied on a rock or something?

 

[AustinChap]

No ND filter and I had it on my benro tripod with a 2 second shutter delay so I wasn't touching the camera or tripod. There was no wind and it was like 101 degrees in Minnesota that day lol.
I think what killed me was the light at high noon. The rocks are under exposed. I think it's better in #2 but I like the soft water of 1. A slow shutter in the middle of the day was a challenge for me.
I probably need to calibrate my screen aswell.

 

[NikonME]

Some ND Filters would make a huge difference.

 

[KmH]

What should I have done different?

Picked a better time of day.

The middle of a mid-summer day is about the worst time of day to try and shoot landscape. The quality of the light sucks.

Landscape photographers are up early or late. Mid-day is for dringking beer and telling 'No ****' stories.

 

[tirediron]

What should I have done different?

Picked a better time of day.

The middle of a mid-summer day is about the worst time of day to try and shoot landscape. The quality of the light sucks.

Landscape photographers are up early or late. Mid-day is for dringking beer and telling 'No ****' stories.

 

[LaFoto]

Sometimes you only ever get to places like this one (the Minnehaha Falls in particular) once in your life, and when that "once-in-your-life" happens to be at noon at 101 degrees and a hazy hot and humid sun out, then you have to try and make the best of it. I happen to know - was there on 17 June and it was bright and hot and humid, and I had no tripod at all, nor any filters (as I don't own neither), and tried to take photos of the rushing water myself, too. Had to be handheld... and exposure suffered like it did here, too, I'm afraid. Well, didn't dare to go down to f/36 ... erm: lens doesn't even offer it, and did not try to hold 1/3sec., but... well.

By the way, the eyes don't see the soft, milky, white, rushing waters, the more natural look is the "frozen" one where you see all the ripples, and curls and waves and all...

But in general, of course, those who suggest filters and a proper tripod and all that for waterfall photography, plus a better time of the day, are totally right! And I wholeheartedly agree with all their suggestions. Only sometimes life... ah well, don't we all know...!?!?!

 

[LaFoto]

Just in case you're interested, I put up my pics of Minnehaha Falls here