Waterfall Photography Ep 131: Take and Make Great Photos with Gavin Hoey

Waterfalls can be the most amazing subjects to photograph but they can also be tricky to get right. To give moving water a silky soft look needs the right choice of shutter speed and that's what Gavin Hoey explores in this video.

Then join Gavin as he selects the best image in Photoshop and processes it in Adobe Camera RAW to create a beautiful final image.

Adorama Photography TV features talented hosts including: Mark Wallace, Gavin Hoey, Joe McNally, Joe DiMaggio, Tamara Lackey, Bryan Peterson, Diane Wallace and Rich Harrington.

Related Products

Canon 5D Mark 2

Canon 24-105L

Vanguard 283 CT Tripod

Vanguard GH-300 head

Hoya Circular Polarising Filter

Adobe Photoshop CS6

[GavinHoey]

You'll love Norway. I was there in May last year and the place looked amazing.

[BrotherBloat]

Gavin is incredible in taking a strong picture and then making it even stronger afterwards! So awesome! :D

[GavinHoey]

Most lenses (on paper) perform better at f/11 then f/22 but you get less depth of field which can lead to blurring. You have to make a decision shot by shot on what aperture is best. There are no rights and wrong in Photography. If f/11 does what you want, that's fine :-)

[GavinHoey]

Has staying in a stunning watermill just outside Harlech. This was in the back garden!

[GavinHoey]

An ND filter will work just fine too. The 8-10 stop ND filters tend to be to dark for waterfall shoots as you don't need a super long exposure. A polarising filter is/should be in most photographers bags and will reduce reflections on shiny rocks if the water is in direct sunlight.

[GavinHoey]

There's always a work around Antonio, try this...

Exposure Delay Mode (Page 183 of your manual) will delay shutter release for 1 second after the shutter release button is pressed and the mirror is raised.

D90 setting for Exposure Delay Mode:
Custom Settings (Pencil) OK: d Shooting/display OK: d10 Exposure Delay Mode OK: On OK

I hope that helps.

[johncundiff]

I appreciate your use of the circular polarizing filter. Most people seem stuck on only when sunny at 90 degrees to the sun when using a CPL. Thank you for showing that you can use a CPL with no sun.

[charmtom]

Gavin, your videos are always interesting and full of information. Keep up the wonderful work.

[GavinHoey]

I check/uncheck the preview box in order to shee the effects of the adjustment brush flash on / off.

[SimonHeimbuchner]

Really nice editing! Never thought about the idea of adding light variations by creating little dark and bright areas to the picture. Made me rethink some old pictures I could have made more interesting with that technique. Keep it up!

[prasannabanwat]

I did this couple of weeks ago!! :)
Absolutely loved it!!
It's a great tip!! :)
Thank you Gavin.

[GavinHoey]

My thoughts exactly. Combine it with Photoshop Elements and you're on to a winner :-)

[GavinHoey]

Fair point and gives me an idea for another video... scene cleaning. Now all I need to do is to pop over to Yosemite and record it ;-)

[GavinHoey]

Depends on the lens... If in doubt take a test shot at f/22 and find out ;-)

[GavinHoey]

No problems like that on any of my cameras. Exposure errors happen all the time due to lots of dark / light tones in the frame but you can test your meter by shooting a grey card that is evenly lit and fills the frame.

[amazinggadgets]

I find that my 9 stop filter works great on waterfalls. If I am shooting a waterfall at a tourists attraction area, the darkness really helps gets rid of the tourists walking around. It does a good job until there is another guy shooting a long exposure. LOL Which is what happened to me one time in Yosemite.

[GavinHoey]

Thanks Char, I'll certainly try :-)

[MikeGoodwin]

Another great video Gavin. I quit Facebook and miss your updates on Google+. When are you coming back?

[dafvincimedia]

Where in Wales were you Gavin? I found 2 small waterfalls close to me in Swansea area a couple of days ago and had a bash at long exposure. Just need to get on the computer now for a bit of Post Production.

[rogereriksen]

Great tips! I do find the ND filter works best for me. We can assume you meant the polarizer 1/2s or 1/4s the shutter speed, not doubles or quadruples the speed as stated, right?