Comments on: 6 Tips for Photographing Waterfalls, Streams and Moving Water

By: Darlene

Darlene — Wed, 09 Oct 2013 03:04:11 +0000

In reply to Betty. Thanks, yes see we are our own worst critics - even those of us who've been doing this a long time!

By: Betty

Betty — Wed, 09 Oct 2013 00:28:00 +0000

I enjoy reading so many of your articles and this one did not disappoint. My favorite part was when you lamented the sharpness of the columns and how you are not 100% happy. I think that gives me as much help and hope as the technical information. Even when the image is perfection the artist stares in horror!! We are our worst critics. Thanks Darlene!!

By: Darlene

Darlene — Wed, 18 Sep 2013 02:51:04 +0000

In reply to Olivia. Keep it in your head for next time!

By: Olivia

Olivia — Wed, 18 Sep 2013 01:16:27 +0000

Wow, I love that one from behind the water! I was in the perfect place to try that this past weekend too, bummer!

By: Darlene

Darlene — Fri, 06 Sep 2013 03:32:54 +0000

In reply to ramel. Wow, very nice!!! Did you need the ND filter or was it more dim evening light? Could you have done this before reading this article?

By: ramel

ramel — Fri, 06 Sep 2013 00:53:01 +0000

thanks darlene. here is a shot from what i’ve learned from you.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/rrifani/9684039598/

By: Al

Al — Wed, 28 Aug 2013 20:19:16 +0000

When in New England I use “New England Waterfalls” by Greg Parsons & Kate Watson, The Countryman Press, Woodstock VT. Accurate descriptions and good directions. Enjoy

By: Lanna

Lanna — Tue, 20 Aug 2013 09:03:05 +0000

Stunning photos! =)

By: Darlene

Darlene — Wed, 14 Aug 2013 20:34:47 +0000

In reply to Philip Hallam. Hmm yes a comparison would have been good, but I'm glad you like the change I suggested.

By: Philip Hallam

Philip Hallam — Mon, 12 Aug 2013 08:21:02 +0000

In reply to Darlene.

Flickr would not let me log in last night but OK tonight, so have reposted there. I deleted the other one as I prefer your recommended changes. Maybe I should have left it there for comparison.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/76371166@N06/9491841188/

By: Darlene

Darlene — Sun, 11 Aug 2013 19:12:46 +0000

In reply to Philip Hallam. Sorry Philip the link just goes to my own Google drive and I can't see your updated image. Did you not put it on Flickr with the others?

By: Philip Hallam

Philip Hallam — Sun, 11 Aug 2013 08:34:50 +0000

In reply to Darlene.

Thanks Darlene for your comments. It is the subtle adjustments that I have the most problem in seeing for myself until they are pointed out. I have made the adjustment you recommended and now I can see you were right and reposted the adjusted image.
It seems I get so focused on the things I need to fix but lose sight of the overall image. In this case, I did lighten the branches quite a bit without blowing the highlights in the ice and darkening the waterfall while trying to retrieve a bit of the detail in the falling water. The detail in the top right hand corner was totally lost.

Critique is something I always welcome and I always try the suggested changes and repost the results. In this case, I agree!

https://drive.google.com/?tab=wo&authuser=0#folders/0B6JeipkyqEabYjJRODd4ZXRncms

By: Darlene

Darlene — Sat, 10 Aug 2013 20:07:50 +0000

In reply to Vinh.

@Vinh – sorry which “3 photos a day” exercise? Something in the ebook 10 Challenges?

Which Facebook plug-in are you referring to? So you can log in with Facebook for comments? Or something else? Do you mean for sharing on Facebook?

By: Darlene

Darlene — Sat, 10 Aug 2013 20:06:39 +0000

In reply to Philip Hallam.

Oooh I do like the icy branch and the waterfall Philip nicely done!

Just one suggestion, and this may not have been possible due to positioning down there. Look at the icicle shot, what do you notice first, where does your eye go? Is it just me or do you go the dark area in the center of the image?

The eye is drawn to 4 things:
– contrast
– brightness
– sharpness
– color

In this case it’s contrast. Most of the image is light and bright and that one dark area really draws attention. If you were able to move over to your left a tiny bit and get the waterfall in that spot instead of the dark ground it might make a big difference. Or if you can lighten it a bit in processing it may help keep the eye from going there. Give it a try and see. And of course you’re welcome to disagree with me because this is just my opinion and I’m one person.

Regardless it’s still a fabulous shot.

By: Darlene

Darlene — Sat, 10 Aug 2013 20:01:07 +0000

In reply to Anil. @Rinda glad to help clear up the mysterious filter for you @Anil great, good luck with your tripod shopping!

By: Vinh

Vinh — Sat, 10 Aug 2013 12:40:50 +0000

Thank you for your tips. They are easy to understand yet easy to exercise. On my way to do your “3 photos a day” but too lazy for them 😛
P/s you should put a Facebook plug-in to your website.

By: Philip Hallam

Philip Hallam — Sat, 10 Aug 2013 11:23:12 +0000

Another very good, informative article with detailed images and settings.
Out of dozens of photos I took of waterfalls a year or so ago, I really only ended up with these 2 that I liked because I didn’t really know what I was doing or how to go about it.
The first one was taken at f22 at 1/5th second.
The second one was taken with a 100mm macro lens because it was all I had with me after I climbed (slipped?) to the bottom of the waterfall. The ice-coated branches were about 3 metres away which was my reason for going down there but I could not get as close as I intended. The unexpected bonus was the waterfall in the background. Half second exposure at f20..

https://www.flickr.com/photos/76371166@N06/9478935788/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/76371166@N06/9478932292/in/photostream/

By: Anil

Anil — Sat, 10 Aug 2013 11:05:56 +0000

Hi Darlene

Enjoyed reading this article and the beautiful photographs. It’s almost a year that I got my first dslr-Nikon D5100. Reading and rereading your articles has helped me improve my photographs.

Unlike many others you have recommended tripods confidently.
And I’ve been waiting to buy a tripod for the longest time but wasn’t sure which one.
You’ve helped me make up my mind.

Thank you for all the effort you put into each post.

Kind regards

Anil

By: rinda

rinda — Sat, 10 Aug 2013 05:08:42 +0000

Hi Darlene, thank you for this article. I’ve been toying with the idea of buying ND filter. Now, after reading your very helpful article, I’ll go out and buy one. Cheers.

By: Darlene

Darlene — Fri, 09 Aug 2013 17:42:24 +0000

In reply to Henk. You're most welcome. I took extra shots when I was on my trip with an article in mind. My husband is very patient waiting for me!

By: Henk

Henk — Fri, 09 Aug 2013 16:57:00 +0000

Hi Darlene.

Great article, I’ve started photography ten month ago, and was immediately interested in blurred water. I bought all the necessary equipment and took a few photos. Your article is now just making everything so much clearer.

Thanks for all your sharing and making things so much easier for people like me.

Kind regards.

Henk.

By: Darlene

Darlene — Fri, 09 Aug 2013 16:07:13 +0000

In reply to Ray. Thanks Ray, glad you liked it!

By: Ray

Ray — Fri, 09 Aug 2013 15:55:22 +0000

Darlene,

Excellent post! Extremely helpful and fun. It’s obvious you put a lot of hard work went into this. The step by step examples are so helpful. Noteworthy are your links providing directions on gear at the bottom. I think that speaks to the great teacher in you that equips others to go find their place in the wonderful world of photography! Now off to look at ND filters!

Ray