WhiteIsWhite - Water In Nature - Longexposure Tutorial

Jackson Falls
I thought I'd talk more about HOW TO rather than where I was on this post.
#LongExposure for waterfalls means a few VERY important steps.
So, let's all sit at our desks, take out a pencil and get to work studying for our tests.
I'll assign homework at the end!

1. FIRST AND FOREMOST is a Sturdy tripod. No two ways about it, you need a tripod. If you would like to try handhold for long exposure, you will be disappointed. It's simply not possible to hold a camera perfectly steady for long periods of time without at least a tiny amount of camera shake or movement.

2. A Neutral Density Filter. I use a variable ND filter. That means, there are two counter crossed lens filters (often polarized) that by rotating the lens, can give you more or less light cut. If you take a long exposure shot without a filter, you image will look Over exposed. TOO WHITE. Nothing left.

3. Not absolute, but most people use a remote trigger for the camera. Even just pushing the button to make an image gives the camera some slight shake. No matter how careful. So, a simple cheap remote, wireless or wired, will make your image MUCH better.

1. Camera settings:

• Set the camera to Manual mode.
• Use a small aperture. Sounds ODD but Small Aperture means largest number. I shoot at f22. That means, the most is in the sharpest detail. What makes a great long exposure is the amazing, sharp detail of everything else and the soft, whisps of silky smooth water.
• Use the lowest ISO speed on your camera. Mine does ISO 100, so, I shoot at that.
• Start with a shutter speed of a few seconds. Take a test. Add a second. Shoot. Subtract a sec. It's all personal taste at this point.

1. Research. Check online for local falls, and find the best time to go. Usually, spring is best. Snows melt, and the streams are running more. Also, the greenery of mosses and leaves makes for wonderful contrast.

This was a good one for the White Is White - Water In Nature - Photography Challenge. Thanks Diane @dmcamera #wiwcontest
Check Out this week's White Is White Challenge

Be sure to read Diane's posts, and follow directions.
It helps ALL of us, when we help each other!

• Monday: White Photographed Against White
• Tuesday: Animals
• Wednesday: Flowers
• Thursday: Food And Drink
• Friday: Architecture
• Saturday: Water In Nature
• Sunday: Anything Goes

More of my White Is White Photography

TODAY'S HOMEWORK:
Post a link to your Long Exposure Water shots.