Raging Waterfall

[viking79]

Pentax K-7 with DA 16-45mm f/4 @ 18mm, ISO 200, f/16, 1/10th x 9 image multi-exposure (in camera).

See a larger size at flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/28177041@N03/4024406793/

1. Find a good waterfall.
2. Have the light illuminating the face of the waterfall.
3. Be sure your body is not casting a shadow on the falls.
4. You need to be able to get a long shutter speed, 1/4th should be enough to significant water blurring, but the longer the better.
4.a Use an ND filter to get significant reduction in light. They sell these from 1 to many f/stop reduction.
4.b Use two polarizers to make a variable ND filter. I think a friend said be sure the front polarizer is linear.
4.c Use your camera's multiple exposure mode, this is what I did as I don't have a strong ND filter. This adds together subsequent exposures (9 in this case), which will give the impression of movement of water, especially when coupled with the longest exposure you can get.
5. Find a good spot, this is often times in the water. Be careful not to slip on moss. Often times the issue with shooting anything is you want to get into a position where people wouldn't usually get.
6. Your camera might get a little wet if you get too close. A weather sealed body/lens would help or just take precautions not to let the camera get too wet. A plastic bag rubber banded around the body and lens would help. Note that the above lens I used isn't weather sealed, but the body is. I could have used the DA 18-55mm WR or DA* 16-50mm f/2.8 if I wanted a sealed lens.
7. Warning: Water is dangerous. Don't get into a position to put yourself or someone else in danger (don't try to stand under Niagara falls for example, except in designated areas). This was a fairly small waterfall.
8. Have fun!

Thanks for looking!

Eric
Read my blog on this at: Behind the Glass Eye

[arlon]

Thanks for the DANGER warning there.. (-:}

Lovely shot but if you're trying to slow down the shutter speed, why did you shoot at f4?

Got it, sorry I was reading the f4 as the exposue not the LENS.. DOOH..

Like the multiple shot idea. I use the self timer with multiple shots from time to time for HDR work.

Wish I had some waterfalls like that around here!

[Kirsten Moody]

What is the reason for holding the shutter open for the waterfall pictures. I don't get my slr camera until my birthday this year so i've only been taking pictures with a cheap digital one, but is there a reason for people doing this other than looks? Because personally, i prefer the look of the water bubbling rather than being...wispy i guess the word would be.

[composter]

awesome shot bty and great pointers on how to shot them.

@Kirsten Moody there is no real reason other than it is just preference to the out come of the shot. some like it smooth flowing and others like it crisp and stopped looking.

[leonaashlee]

WELCOME to DPS
Wow! This is absolutely amazing.