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Entries in Waterfall Photography (1)

Sunday
Mar132011

Hunting The Ever Elusive Perfect Waterfall Shot!

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My Wife thinks I have a one track mind and she is correct. Once I try something I am not happy with the outcome unless it gets close to perfect as possible. That is why I had to hike back up to High Shoals Falls three times, as I was unhappy with the first shots and wanted to try them again. I think I nailed how to get that silky/blurred moving water effect but the light was all wrong. I still think I could do better, but I am happy with what I got.

 

Some people wonder what kind of gear I carry and a bunch of it is based on the Boy Scout Mantra, "BE PREPARED". That be prepared applies to camera gear as well as basic wilderness gear. 

 

For waterfalls you really get great shots if you use Neutral Density filters. They basically act like sunglasses for your camera, which allows you to keep your shutter open longer to get that beautiful blurred water without over exposing the scene.

 

 

 

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For shooting those longer exposures, sometimes as long as 2 seconds, you need a stable platform to keep your camera still, so a tripod is a must. I also use a delay to prevent camera shake.

 

I also carry extra batteries as well a spare lens and a point & shoot.

 

 

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I carry my extra camera gear in my Maxpedition Versipak shoulder/hip bag and it gives me a safe place to hold my lenses and filters as I swap them out. Nice to have with you!

 

 

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I also carry my Spec-Ops Brand backpack that I can lash on my tripod and carry 3 liters of water in a hydration bladder. I also have my first aid kit, snacks, water purification system, rain gear and survival kit in case I have to stay put for whatever reason.

 

 

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If the light is good and you hold your mouth right, you might be able to capture some decent shots of moving water. These two are some of my favorites I took in South Mountain State Park, but...

 

 

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... this one of my Daughter and I standing at High Shoals Falls, to me, is priceless!

 

Thanks for reading,

 

Mark