Why make water mikly or silky? I may not have searched the right sites for this answer, but I will ask it here. What are the reasons for shooting moving water with long exposures to...

chapjohn Loc: Tigard, Oregon

I may not have searched the right sites for this answer, but I will ask it here. What are the reasons for shooting moving water with long exposures to get a white silky look? What is the problem with the water looking like water?

donrent Loc: Punta Gorda , Fl

Because some people think that "to change" is somehow an improvement over what nature has created....

corryhully Loc: liverpool uk

personal preference, nothing else.

Annie_Girl Loc: It's none of your business

cause it's pretty.

Both ways achieve striking results, so why not?

haroldross Loc: Walthill, Nebraska

corryhully wrote:

personal preference, nothing else.

I like to take photos of various fountains. I usually take photos both at slow shutter speeds and fast shutter speeds. Usually I prefer the ones taken at slower shutter speeds. To me there is something unnatural about water droplets frozen in time and space. I try to find a happy medium where the fountain looks natural to me. Yes, it is a personal preference.

ecobin Loc: Paoli, PA

I never liked the silky look - for me, I use a shutter speed that shows flow without distorting the look - usually no slower than 1/4 sec.

MtnMan Loc: ID

chapjohn wrote:

I may not have searched the right sites for this answer, but I will ask it here. What are the reasons for shooting moving water with long exposures to get a white silky look? What is the problem with the water looking like water?

Well, it also isn't still.

I attended a presentation where a guy suggested 1/13 sec is kind of a nice mix if you like reality. It isn't still and it isn't pillowy.

jrb1213 Loc: McDonough GEorgia

chapjohn wrote:

I may not have searched the right sites for this answer, but I will ask it here. What are the reasons for shooting moving water with long exposures to get a white silky look? What is the problem with the water looking like water?

The "milky-ness" conveys the feeling if motion.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

MtnMan wrote:

Well, it also isn't still.

I attended a presentation where a guy suggested 1/13 sec is kind of a nice mix if you like reality. It isn't still and it isn't pillowy.

That appears just about perfect for a realistic look.

chapjohn Loc: Tigard, Oregon

GoofyNewfie wrote:

That appears just about perfect for a realistic look.

I want to say thank you for every response.

I too agree with this approach. I try to show the movement and keep the water as water instead of milk.

Big Stopper Loc: London

MtnMan wrote:

Well, it also isn't still.

I attended a presentation where a guy suggested 1/13 sec is kind of a nice mix if you like reality. It isn't still and it isn't pillowy.

Big Stopper Loc: London

MtnMan wrote:

Well, it also isn't still.

I attended a presentation where a guy suggested 1/13 sec is kind of a nice mix if you like reality. It isn't still and it isn't pillowy.

Sorry, clicked send too swiftly a moment ago.

Is the photo you've posted at 1/13th? Cheers, Bob

emmons267 Loc: Arizona, Valley of the Sun

chapjohn wrote:

I may not have searched the right sites for this answer, but I will ask it here. What are the reasons for shooting moving water with long exposures to get a white silky look? What is the problem with the water looking like water?

http://digital-photography-school.com/picking-a-waterfall-shutter-speed-for-the-best-look

mdorn Loc: Portland, OR

chapjohn wrote:

I may not have searched the right sites for this answer, but I will ask it here. What are the reasons for shooting moving water with long exposures to get a white silky look? What is the problem with the water looking like water?

What are the reasons for shooting water with a short exposure to get a frozen in time look? When you take a photo of a prop plane in flight, do you use a short exposure or a longer one?

mdorn Loc: Portland, OR

MtnMan wrote:

Well, it also isn't still.

I attended a presentation where a guy suggested 1/13 sec is kind of a nice mix if you like reality. It isn't still and it isn't pillowy.

I like the compromise here.