Freezing waterfalls?

[tigerimages]

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=111690&highlight=waterfall

How is this technique achieved? Whenever I've tried it's usually hopelessly overexposed

 

[Demonid3e]

Use ND filters to extend exposure time.

 

[birdy961]

From my limited knowledge and experience you would need some ND filters to allow for a slower shutter speed.
had a couple of tries but have not suceeded yet, think it is trial and error

 

[stan the man]

yep use neutral density filters to achieve the shutter speed you require for the desired effect...normally around the 1-2 sec works quite well

this was shot with a 2 sec exposure...

 

[tigerimages]

Any recommendations for ND filters to buy? I'm a total noob in that field...

 

[birdy961]

I have the Cokin P series filters
Seem ok, Shop around as they can be expensive. I can't remember the other brand that are a bit cheaper:bang:



Edit - That's a lovely picture stan

 

[stan the man]

cokin are pretty cheap when you compare them to lee filters.you will need an adapter ring,a filter holder..and whatever filters you decide to but.you could start off with an ND8(3 stop)filter to get you going....this would be okay for waterfall shots i should think.

thanks birdy...

 

[J4MIE_P]

Surely can u not just increase u're F number to like F22 and then have a slightly longer exposure to get that effect on the waterfall?

 

[Tazzie]

Have a look at Hitec Filters, similar prices to Cokin and I think slightly less colour cast http://www.teamworkphoto.com/index.php?cPath=78&main_page=index

Team photo did me a really quick turnaround although postage was a little steep

 

[birdy961]

This may help tigerimages?

http://www.ponds-and-fountains.com/how-to-use-neutral-density-filters-for-waterfall-pictures.html

 

[stan the man]

Surely can u not just increase u're F number to like F22 and then have a slightly longer exposure to get that effect on the waterfall?

that may work IF it's an extremely dark day...on a bright day,ISO 100,F/32...may still give you a shutter speed of say 1/50 sec....way to fast for the wanted effect.with filters,you can shoot on any day,simply by changing/adding filters as they are needed.

 

[Scotty B]

An ND8 filter should do the trick.

Try and shoot the waterfall early morning or late afternoon as the overhead sun won't spoil the party then. Also try and get no sky like Stans shot above.

 

[stan the man]

yeah...a little blue sky would have made the shot nicer,but it was a dull and obvercast day,with the sky completely being blown out....

 

[Blue Eagle]

that may work IF it's an extremely dark day...on a bright day,ISO 100,F/32...may still give you a shutter speed of say 1/50 sec.....

I wish..... usually f/4 iso 800 = 1/50 (at least during these dull winter days)

 

[Caledonia]

I managed to get this one without the use of an ND filter. F29 @ ISO100 gave a shutter speed of 6 seconds. It was a very dull and overcast day.

 

[theMusicMan]

I certainly agree that ND filters greatly assist here, but as caledonia says, the same effect can also be achieved without them too.

You want a long enough exposure to allow movement of the water in the shot so that you get the 'smooth running water' effect. So, a tripod is a must. Depending on the lighting conditions at the time, use a high ISO, and a tiny aperture and experiment. I did some test shots at a local stream a little while ago and was please with the way they came out.

This one is f22, ISO100 and 6s exposure

 

[Oakey22]

just limit the amount of light with the aperture and put it on a low ISO like 100 to keep the shutter speed down. But NG filters do help when it is sunny and you cant get the shutter speed down low enough.

 

[Dudie]

I have the Cokin P series filters
Seem ok, Shop around as they can be expensive. I can't remember the other brand that are a bit cheaper:bang:

Kood? Got a couple of their ND grads and can't complain. Fraction of the cost of Cokin.

 

[jerry12953]

I've never used ND filters on waterfalls.

One of the reasons is that they photograph better on dull days when light levels are lower anyway. On sunny days you tend to get contrast problems between lit and shaded areas.