photographing waterfalls

[Kittykat23uk]

Hi all,

what do I need in order to photograph waterfalls so that the water is nice and blurry? I know I'll need a tripod and a long shutter speed, but I presume I will need a filter to darken the light? Which one would you folks recommend? We'll be touring through Blyde river canyon so there will be opportunities for these shots and it might not be possible to choose the time of day. Also which lens would you recommend? I have the two kit lenses and the 70-300.

Thanks again,

Jo

[theMusicMan]

Re: photographing waterfalls

Hi Jo

Yep, you're absolutely right - all you need to do is to reduce the light such that the water moves during the duration that the shutter is open, and then you'll end up with those nice smooth milky water shots you're after.

You can do this naturally, by finding a dimly lit section of the waterfall, or by getting there when the light is naturally dim such as dawn or dusk, or you can do this with the use of a filter.

You will need to get yourself what are called ND filters (Neutral Density). These simply reduce the amount of light getting to the sensor, in amounts depending on the type of filter you have. You can get ND2, ND4, ND8 which reduce the light by 1stop, 2 stops and 3 stops respectively, or you can get yourself the more expensive 10 stop whopper... the ND110. This is usually a screw in lens rather than one as part of a kit (to avoid light leakage around the outsides) and actually reduces the amount of light getting to the sensor by a huge 10 stops.

If you want to be able to use your filters with each lens, then you should consider a set such as the Cokin ND set. You then only purchase one set of filters that fit all your lenses. You need to ensure you have bought an adapter for each lens diameter so that the filter holder can then fit onto each lens.

You should also be aware that ND filters come in full or graduated forms. You would use the graduated filter for example when ensuring the sky and foreground are both correctly exposed. For waterfalls I'd use the full filters.

Hope this helps.

[Zuiko]

Re: photographing waterfalls

Hi Jo,

John has already nailed the reply for you bur the only thing I would add is that luckily your kit lenses and the 70-300 all share the same 58mm filter size, so a screw-on filter will do just fine. If there is a possibility that you might buy another lens in future you could buy a bigger diameter filter and attach it to your kit lenses via a (cheap to buy) stepping ring.

For example, my standard lens is the 14-54 with a 67mm filter thread. I also have the 70-300 (58mm) and 9-18 (72mm). I only need one filter because I bought it in 77mm size. Why 77mm when my biggest lens is only 72mm? Well, the 9-18 is an ultra wide angle lens that is prone to vignetting with a filter attached and using an over-sized filter prevents that. I use a 72-77mm step-up ring for this.

To fit the filter on my 14-54 lens I use a 67-72mm step-up ring and for the 70-300 I use two stepping rings: 58-67mm and 67-77mm. This system works a treat and the stepping rings are very cheap to buy. The only drawback is that a 77mm filter is more expensive than a 58mm, but I do only need one filter to cover my entire range of lenses and, as John said, in the case of ND filters the screw type are more effective than the ones that slot into a filter holder.

For this type of filter I've found that Kood offers a good balance between quality and value for money and this shop stocks a good range of several different brands, including Kood, plus all the stepping rings you may need at reasonable prices http://www.surreyphotographyshop.co.uk/index.php

[benvendetta]

Re: photographing waterfalls

Waterfalls are best photographed under flat lighting conditions, which will mean that there won't be loads of contrast. Also this will help in achieving longer shutter speeds.
I would agree with just about everything else that has already been said on the subject.

BTW John, where did you get your 10 stopper and what did it cost? I am thinking of getting one for a forthcoming holiday.

[theMusicMan]

Re: photographing waterfalls

BTW John, where did you get your 10 stopper and what did it cost? I am thinking of getting one for a forthcoming holiday.

Dya know Dave, I can't remember to be honest. Online somewhere?? I remember ringing around a lot to see where they were in stock.

I'll have a trawl through my emails and see if I can find the details for you.

[ndl0071]

Re: photographing waterfalls

Waterfalls are best photographed under flat lighting conditions, which will mean that there won't be loads of contrast. Also this will help in achieving longer shutter speeds.
I would agree with just about everything else that has already been said on the subject.

BTW John, where did you get your 10 stopper and what did it cost? I am thinking of getting one for a forthcoming holiday.

Not sure what size you need but I got mine from here, they seem to have most sizes.

http://www.fotosense.co.uk/catalogsearch/result/?q=nd+110&x=19&y=7

[benvendetta]

Re: photographing waterfalls

Thanks for the info. Pricey but it is a B+W!

[theMusicMan]

Re: photographing waterfalls

What lens you wanting to use it on Dave...?

[ndl0071]

Re: photographing waterfalls

Pricey yes...but I've had mine for a couple of years now I can't fault the quality of B&W..

[theMusicMan]

Re: photographing waterfalls

Though I have only had mine for a few months, the quality of the B&W ND110 is awesome.

[jonesy]

Re: photographing waterfalls

...

For example, my standard lens is the 14-54 with a 67mm filter thread. I also have the 70-300 (58mm) and 9-18 (72mm). I only need one filter because I bought it in 77mm size. Why 77mm when my biggest lens is only 72mm? Well, the 9-18 is an ultra wide angle lens that is prone to vignetting with a filter attached and using an over-sized filter prevents that. I use a 72-77mm step-up ring for this.

To fit the filter on my 14-54 lens I use a 67-72mm step-up ring and for the 70-300 I use two stepping rings: 58-67mm and 67-77mm. This system works a treat and the stepping rings are very cheap to buy. The only drawback is that a 77mm filter is more expensive than a 58mm, but I do only need one filter to cover my entire range of lenses and, as John said, in the case of ND filters the screw type are more effective than the ones that slot into a filter holder...

Sorry to but in on this, but...
I have a 9-18, a 14-54, 40-150 and 70-300, and quite fancy the one filter fits all scenario you have described
Just to clarify, I will "need" a 77mm filter, and then STEP-UP rings for the lenses? Have I understood that correctly?

Many thanks

[theMusicMan]

Re: photographing waterfalls

Sorry to but in on this, but...
I have a 9-18, a 14-54, 40-150 and 70-300, and quite fancy the one filter fits all scenario you have described
Just to clarify, I will "need" a 77mm filter, and then STEP-UP rings for the lenses? Have I understood that correctly?

Many thanks

Yep, that's right.

Always go for the largest filter size, otherwise smaller filters would block the edges of the front of the lens.

Make sure you buy the XXmm to 77mm step up adapter for each of your lens sizes.

[Zuiko]

Re: photographing waterfalls

Sorry to but in on this, but...
I have a 9-18, a 14-54, 40-150 and 70-300, and quite fancy the one filter fits all scenario you have described
Just to clarify, I will "need" a 77mm filter, and then STEP-UP rings for the lenses? Have I understood that correctly?

Many thanks

Yes Tracey, that is exactly my set-up. In theory you could make do with a slightly cheaper 72mm filter as that is the diameter of the 9-18mm lens, but a 77mm negates the risk of vignetting. Of course, you can always zoom the lens a tad until the problem disappears.

[benvendetta]

Re: photographing waterfalls

I wish my 7-14 would take filters but alas it doesn't It will be the 11-22 - my ex-favourite lens

What lens you wanting to use it on Dave...?

[theMusicMan]

Re: photographing waterfalls

I wish my 7-14 would take filters but alas it doesn't It will be the 11-22 - my ex-favourite lens

I'm happy to let you have mine to use Dave, if you don't manage to get one by the time you go away.

Just shout.