Waterfall Photography Simplified
QUICKLY AND EASILY LEARN WATERFALL PHOTOGRAPHY
Use these instructions for waterfall photography and any moving water photography. This is how you will get the milky water effect, as we call it. These are basic instructions. Even the beginner can get incredible milky water images. The most important thing here is an excellent Neutral Density Filter that allows you to slow down your shutter speed.
We don’t go anywhere without our Think Tank Camera Bags. Special offer!
SETTING UP YOUR WATERFALL SHOT
Step 1: Put your camera on a tripod. You will also want to use a remote shutter release to expose the image. Or use the cameras built in 2-second timer. You must use a tripod.
Step 2: Use live view
Step 3: Put your filter on your camera. Even on a cloudy day, you will want to use a Neutral Density Filter. It’s like sunglasses for your camera. You can do a more prolonged exposure, which makes the water movement have a silky effect. The darker the ND Filter, the longer you can expose it. A ten-stop ND is the darkest one. We like the Promaster ND ten stop. (More below)
Step 4: Camera Settings
- Set your camera to Manual mode
- Set the aperture to the smallest one (most will be f/22, some f/29).
- Set your ISO to 100 or the lowest your camera will allow.
Now, looking through the camera, roll the shutter speed so the exposure level indicator goes to ‘0’ on the exposure scale at the bottom of the screen. Without a filter, you may not get lower than 1/15th sec. or even that low on a sunny day. This is why a neutral density filter is so important.
Step 5: Set your Camera on a 2-second timer or use your shutter release to expose the image. Evaluate the image. If your image has hot spots (areas of overexposed white spots), adjust your shutter speed and test again until it is just right. Remember, the darker the filter, the longer the exposure, and the milky flow looks better.
Review your images on the screen of your camera and zoom in to look for overexposed areas. Take a few images, some darker. You can always lighten them in the post, but you cannot fix blown-out overexposed highlights.
SOME OF OUR FAVORITE WATERFALL & MILKY WATER LOCATIONS
You can read about the details of each location.
WATERFALL AND MILKY WATERS PHOTOGRAPHY
WHERE TO LEARN WATERFALL PHOTOGRAPHY
WATERFALL PHOTOGRAPHY – WHEN TO GO
Forget about blue skies and sunshine – overcast days are a photographer’s dream for capturing the beauty of waterfalls. The diffused lighting creates an even glow across the entire scene, making it easier to balance exposure and avoid blown-out highlights. Plus, who wants to risk being sunburnt while trying to capture that perfect shot? In this case, clouds are your friend. But you can buy organic sunscreen here.
On rare occasions when the sun peeks through and creates stunning effects like rainbows or backlighting, embrace it! But for consistent results, stick with those moody gray skies. Your photos will thank you later.
CARRY MULTIPLE FILTERS
NEUTRAL DENSITY FILTERS
Listen up, fellow photographers! This is important information. If you want to create that perfect waterfall shot, you better have a neutral density filter on hand. And don’t think you can get away without it on a gloomy day in the woods. You will not achieve more than about 1/15th of a second exposure without a neutral density filter. You’ll need at least a second or two second exposure for the Milky Water effects.
If you’re feeling fancy and heading to the beach for milky ocean shots, you might need a whopping 4 to 5 seconds with a 10-stop filter, depending on how fast the water moves. Near the bay areas the water doesn’t move as much so it’s almost always at least three seconds to get blur. Our new Promaster one is the real deal – trust me, your Instagram followers will thank you for those dreamy water pics! Make sure you do long exposure milky water effects on all your moving waters. It really makes for dynamic photography.
CIRCULAR POLARIZING FILTERS
These filters remove the harsh glare from the water, providing a more accurate depiction of its colors. However, they do not reduce enough light to capture long exposure shots that create a milky effect in the water; unless the water is moving at a rapid pace and it is an overcast day, you may have a shot with it.
We wear a belt with a filter pack that allows us to carry six filters. The pack is on our hips at all times, so we can easily try it. If it doesn’t give us a long enough exposure, we just put the neutral density filter back on. Having a variety of filters is always ideal.
CONNECT TO MOTHER GAIA AND EXPERIENCE NATURE
For those new to waterfall photography, the key is to fully immerse yourself in the experience. Connect with nature and ground yourself to Mother Earth. If you are feeling overwhelmed or distracted, take a few moments to meditate. Photography can be a meditative practice, allowing you to tap into your creativity and create stunning images. When you are in a state of mindfulness and connectedness with the environment, your art will flourish.
PHOTOS TOP OF PAGE
Athabasca Falls & Sunwapta Falls
Located in the stunning Canadian Rockies, off the famous Icefields Parkway, are two breathtaking waterfalls—Athabasca Falls and Sunwapta Falls. The powerful rush of cascading water spills over ancient, jagged rocks and glistens under the warm sun. The air is crisp and invigorating, carrying with it the faint scent of pine and fresh glacial melt. It is a true natural wonder, a sight not to be missed on any journey through this picturesque landscape.