Blurring water - what am I doing wrong? (Page 5): Post photos. If you're shooting slow shutter speeds (1/2 or longer) you should get the desired effect. Full manual or shutter...

pounder35 Loc: "Southeast of Disorder"

energizerdel wrote:

I'm hoping someone here can help me. I like the effect that so many people have when they blur waterfalls, oceans etc, but have tried over and over without any success. I have a Canon 20D, have used a low ISO, small aperture, slow speed, etc etc - all the advice everyone gives, plus have used a ND8 filter and yet still can't get the effect and have no idea what I'm doing wrong. Photos are still coming out extremely over exposed. Any suggestions would be really appreciated. Thanks.

Post photos. If you're shooting slow shutter speeds (1/2 or longer) you should get the desired effect. Full manual or shutter preferred might be the way to go but aperture preferred will work also. Low ISO, tripod, ND filter if needed and you should get the results you're looking for. Then fine tune the technique once you're on the right track. :thumbup:

TonyP Loc: New Zealand

energizerdel wrote:

I'm hoping someone here can help me. I like the effect that so many people have when they blur waterfalls, oceans etc, but have tried over and over without any success. I have a Canon 20D, have used a low ISO, small aperture, slow speed, etc etc - all the advice everyone gives, plus have used a ND8 filter and yet still can't get the effect and have no idea what I'm doing wrong. Photos are still coming out extremely over exposed. Any suggestions would be really appreciated. Thanks.

Depending on volume and speed of water about 1/4sec (bracket either way). Focus important on actual water. This was 1/5th sec at f32. Never had to resort to filters myself but tripod or something for support is a good idea. (I carry a small padded 6" sq cushion with sponge in it my wife made and use this as a support when I forget the t/pod.) Don't forget to disconnect the VR if you are a Nikon user. With the best intentions VR seems to stuff up these effects. (Mind you, if using a tripod the VR should be off anyway). Hope this helps.

McLaren Falls

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

I would suggest that you check out the long exposure forum on UHH. Notice the time of day-- ND filters are fine-- and handy for bright sunny days, however you don't need one to get this effect. If you are going for that look in the water, consider the time of day-- and maybe choose an overcast day. These photos tend too look better with diffused lighting, anyway.

pounder35 Loc: "Southeast of Disorder"

LoneRangeFinder wrote:

I would suggest that you check out the long exposure forum on UHH. Notice the time of day-- ND filters are fine-- and handy for bright sunny days, however you don't need one to get this effect. If you are going for that look in the water, consider the time of day-- and maybe choose an overcast day. These photos tend too look better with diffused lighting, anyway.

I agree with the overcast days. Even lighting really helps. :thumbup:

clm Loc: Selby, North Yorkshire, UK

1. Use a tripod. 2. Lowest ISO possible. 3. Shutter priority. Don't use your Nd filter at first.
Now select a series of slow shutter speeds starting with the slowest you have. Take a series of shots, gradually increasing your shutter speeds. Check your shots and see if there is one which blurrs the water enough for your liking. Then do the same using your filter. It's often taking numerous shots at various settings and see which one you like best. Make sure you have plenty of time and be prepared to use trial and error. Best of luck.

clm Loc: Selby, North Yorkshire, UK

1. Use a tripod. 2. Lowest ISO possible. 3. Shutter priority. Don't use your Nd filter at first.
Now select a series of slow shutter speeds starting with the slowest you have. Take a series of shots, gradually increasing your shutter speeds. Check your shots and see if there is one which blurrs the water enough for your liking. Then do the same using your filter. It's often taking numerous shots at various settings and see which one you like best. Make sure you have plenty of time and be prepared to use trial and error. Best of luck.

pounder35 Loc: "Southeast of Disorder"

clm wrote:

1. Use a tripod. 2. Lowest ISO possible. 3. Shutte... (show quote)

Trial and error is great in the digital age. :thumbup:

clm Loc: Selby, North Yorkshire, UK

Spent three hours shooting Aysgarth Falls in North Yorkshire, UK, just to get 1 shot. Waited for the light to change so I got various effects. One of the problems is burn out in highlights. Try bracketing as well and various filters including polarizing - you can try it in conjunction with your ND. Experiment and use a notebook - there's nothing like getting a super shot and forgetting how you did it!

pounder35 Loc: "Southeast of Disorder"

clm wrote:

Spent three hours shooting Aysgarth Falls in North Yorkshire, UK, just to get 1 shot. Waited for the light to change so I got various effects. One of the problems is burn out in highlights. Try bracketing as well and various filters including polarizing - you can try it in conjunction with your ND. Experiment and use a notebook - there's nothing like getting a super shot and forgetting how you did it!

I'm not sure about a notebook. Everything changes especially with lighting. My notebook is in my mind. (Now that's a scary thought!). There are several waterfalls in a park in North West Alabama that has many very small waterfalls. Some would be considered just a trickle by waterfall standards and they are heavily shaded. Great B/W material. :thumbup:

Novots Loc: Grand Forks, ND

Tripod is critical as you likely will be using a shutter speed of 3 - 7 seconds to get the silky look you are trying for. You will want to be in Manual mode. You also will need the ND filter (likely at least 4 - 8) as mentioned above. You will need to fiddle around with the aperture a bit to get it just right. My suggestions are based on a shot where you have pretty bright sun. Good luck.

clm Loc: Selby, North Yorkshire, UK

There'll be somegreat water shots on your East Coast over the next24 hours for the brave (and fool-hardy) photographer!

pounder35 Loc: "Southeast of Disorder"

clm wrote:

There'll be somegreat water shots on your East Coast over the next24 hours for the brave (and fool-hardy) photographer!

I would recommend a water proof camera. :lol: If we're lucky D.C. will shut down for a while. If they're not "working" in government then maybe they can't screw anything up. :roll: :thumbup:

clm Loc: Selby, North Yorkshire, UK

Wet suit for the photographer as well. Get a politician and government involved in anything and they will 'bugger things up' as we say in Yorkshire. We get flooding on a regular basis not far from where I live very flat farm land. Everytime we have torrential rain the rivers overflow and homes get flooded. Local government actually gave permission for houses to be built on the flood planes and guess what happens when it rains! Great photo opportunnities, though!

OddJobber Loc: Portland, OR

clm wrote:

Wet suit for the photographer as well. Get a politician and government involved in anything and they will 'bugger things up' as we say in Yorkshire. We get flooding on a regular basis not far from where I live very flat farm land. Everytime we have torrential rain the rivers overflow and homes get flooded. Local government actually gave permission for houses to be built on the flood planes and guess what happens when it rains! Great photo opportunnities, though!

Same in southern Oregon. Folks spent a lot of money in the 60's and 70's building in the 100-year flood plain because there hadn't been a flood for 80 years. Then the floods in '75. Duh! :roll:

fotopop Loc: Durham NC-USA

energizerdel wrote:

I'm hoping someone here can help me. I like the effect that so many people have when they blur waterfalls, oceans etc, but have tried over and over without any success. I have a Canon 20D, have used a low ISO, small aperture, slow speed, etc etc - all the advice everyone gives, plus have used a ND8 filter and yet still can't get the effect and have no idea what I'm doing wrong. Photos are still coming out extremely over exposed. Any suggestions would be really appreciated. Thanks.

I shot a waterfall last Saturday and was going to upload them but I noticed that they have to be changed since they all all in RAW.