Hoops12751 Loc: Lexington, KY

I am planning on shooting Niagara Falls at sunrise and after dark from the Canadian side in late August. Any recommendations as to the best vantage points for those times of day? I realize that I will need to consider Horseshoe Falls and the American Falls as separate subjects, so obviously I will be moving around to various locations.

I will be using a Canon 6D and have everything from an 8mm -16mm up to a 150mm - 600mm lens in my bag. Any and all tips will be appreciated.

Also, I am taking a group to Tanzania in January for a 9 day photo safari...if you or any other hogger is interested, just email me at wayneahoover@hotmail.com.

As always, thanks!

johneccles Loc: Leyland UK

You can get right next to the waterfalls near the visitor centre, the far end is a very good spot next to the falls, it may be crowded but eventually you will be able get next to the fence. The other very good viewing point is from the Skylon.

dalematt Loc: Goderich, Ontario, Canada

Go downstream and you can get both falls in one photo. I don't think that there is any one good spot for photos. No matter where you are, it's good.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

We always stay at the Canadian Embassy Suites and we always request a high floor. At sunrise you can get both falls, the river, and sunrise. You have got to try it once.

Fotomacher Loc: Toronto

Download "The Photographers' Ephemeris" which will provide you with the exact locations of the sum and moon so that you can gauge your best positions.

whitewolfowner

They used to light up the falls at night with different colored lights; very nice. All the good spots are on the Canadian side. There is a tower you can go up up on and get great shots from above of both falls. There is also a water light show they put on and I think it's called the dancing water-light show or something like that is really good. Make sure you have plenty of card space because you will firing away everywhere you go. The last time I was the was there was in the mid 90's, so this information is 20 years old; things may have changed by then. On the American side, go to Goat island; you can get right next to the rapids (make sure you hold of any young children when there, you are that close) and you can take a walking tour and get very close the American falls most of the way down. Each falls has a cave to get behind them, but they were closed for repairs when I was last there. And last but not least make sure you take the ride on the maid of the mist; you can get on it from either side. If you are smart and want to access the many ways of getting really close to the falls rent a protective housing for your camera; you can even get hit by a wave coming over the boat while on the maid of the mist.

Jim Bob

Go here and you won't regret it.

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big-guy Loc: Peterborough Ontario Canada

As previously stated the best vantage point is the Skylon Tower. Quick access to both falls with only a twist of the waist and the guard rails are fairly wide so it's easy to hoist the lens right through the openings. Being at ground level is a crap shoot because there is no way to predict which way the wind swirls and with that wind is also mucho spray. If you do decide to take that route then make sure you have a microfiber cloth to dry off the lens and camera every couple shots. There is a nice vantage point across from the American falls (on the right hand side of the falls) that isn't as busy as at Horseshoe and if the wind cooperates you can get some nice shots of both. Especially for the sunrise shots as wind tends to be calm at sunrise... I said tends. Your night time shots will require a tripod, even in the tower (you can use 2 legs to the floor and lean the camera against the fence for clean shots) At night the tower is not crowded but being that high will probably be windy so wear a coat as it can get chilly up there.

Jim Bob

Excellent advice. Also carry a couple of microfiber towels to wipe your lenses. You can catch spray even at the tower.

nikonkelly Loc: SE Michigan

I have been to the falls at least 50 times. Along the falls near table rock is my favorite, however, this time of year it is often extremely rainy in that location from the mist that the falls generate. You will have to let the mist dictate where you can shoot. The skylon is great spot, as well as the Marriott 14th floor room, and the Sheraton by the falls with a 400-600mm lens. Don't forget the fireworks that are shot each evening in the summer... For that the Sheraton makes a great place and a short lens to get it all... 50-75mm on your crop sensor. Just a couple of thoughts. http://www.pbase.com/nikonkelly/image/72551783 This is one of my favs from table rock.

mkaplan519

You can see some of my photos here.
http://www.pbase.com/mkaplan/niagara_falls
I was not there at the times you want to be so your photos should be even more spectacular. I started walking from the left side (near the U.S. falls away from the visitor centre) to the visitor centre and back. It might help give you an idea as to what view you get.
I loved shooting some wide panoramas to get in both falls.

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drivered Loc: Capital District, NY

whitewolfowner

How long ago did you take that shot. Back in the 90's they were talking about shutting off the American falls and clearing away the fallen rocks; looks like it still hasn't been done.

mkaplan519

That was in Sept. 2012

kennard26 Loc: White Plains ny

I was at the falls this year for the first time and plan to return. The place that I scouted out was the vantage point from the walking bridge that goes between Canada and the US. From the car I was able to see both Falls which looked good for me to go back and Shoot the falls from the walking bridge.