I've been experimenting with waterfall photography. I always used to argue that natural was best. But I think that was mainly because I didn't know any other way to do it.
Here are two photos of Abrams Falls, in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee. The first was taken at a shutter speed of 1/100, which captured the waterfall as it looks naturally. The second was shot at a slower shutter speed so that the water has a softer, blurred look.
Following is a short video of Abrams Falls:
So...how do you like your water?
Linda, I love water! The sound, the relaxing feeling, the fresh smell. Gorgeous captures and I love the video, so nice to hear the falls!
ReplyDeleteNice photos, Linda!
ReplyDeleteI usually like my water as natural as possible, but sometimes a little tweaking is good, too. Both photos are beautiful. Love the video. There is nothing like the sound and feel of the mist from a waterfall. Linda, thank you for sharing with us. Have a great day.
ReplyDeletealways a fan of water falls - always & forever. i am sorry i don't know shutter & that. i understand but i don't know how to tell you what my camera does ... do you have a better or what? great video. ( :
ReplyDeleteboth are beautiful, eh.
ReplyDeletewho says you have to chose.
the softer look always makes me think of calendar photos. :) i like them both.
ReplyDeleteThe soft can sometimes have a good effect. I am not sure why your video doesn't open for me.
ReplyDeleteBoth effects are nice and well done.....:)
ReplyDeleteI like both ways on your photo. The soft look of the water is nice. Also enjoyed the video.
ReplyDeleteIt's probably no surprise that I like to use a slower shutter speed when photographing flowing water and waterfalls, but I usually shoot the same scene in a 'natural' speed as well. Which version I like best depends on the scene. You've captured Abrams Falls beautifully in both versions.
ReplyDeleteBoth are lovely, but if I had to pick I'd probably go with the natural one.
ReplyDeleteI love the blurred one, since it's technically perfect. And I love that you have finally added your video footage in your posts as well. It's so nice to see some of the locations you visit in moving frames! :D
ReplyDeleteMersad
Mersad Donko Photography
I love that blurred look!! I've never been able to achieve it, even with a tripod. Well, once I came close, but not as good as this. Very nice, Linda!
ReplyDeleteHi Linda Both are lovely in their own way. I do like the blurred one however I am not as keen about the surrounding foliage but if it was cropped into the Waterfall, that might be better. In the first one, I love the natural look and also the yellow foliage on the left of the shot leading your eye in. (this is nearly lost in the 2nd one. Just my opinion!
ReplyDeleteHI Linda Sorry forgot to saw I loved the video. More of these would be great in your posts.
ReplyDeleteNatural is more how we see it but I've always been intrigued with capturing water movement with a slower shutter speed. Did you use a tripod?
ReplyDeleteI'll take either one.Both are pretty.
ReplyDeleteYou sound like my hubby... He LOVES to take 'fancy' water photos....I do it too--but his are much better than mine... We both love water --and taking water photos. There's no better place to do that than the Smokies!!!!!
ReplyDeleteYours are awesome.
Hugs,
Betsy
Hi Linda! I have never been to the Smokies, but everyone says that they are gorgeous. This is such an interesting tutorial for me. I just uploaded some new images for my header, and one of them is a waterfall. It must have been taken with the slower shutter speed, because the water looks just like your second photo. I love it...it makes the water look like frosting!
ReplyDeleteGreat video too. It's fun to 'hear' the water!
Ceil
I just have a little point and shoot so high tech is way beyond my expertise. As to water a few ice cubes and a shot of Scotch will do quite nice. We love GSMNP when we were there as few weeks ago with our friends from Maryville and the waterfalls were everywhere and spectacular!!! You picture are both great though I like the first one just a wee bit better...:)
ReplyDeleteI'd love to learn how to work a fancier camera. My new camera does have manuel settings so hopefully I'll get a chance to play around with them.
ReplyDelete