Flowing Water
Jun 8, 2018 07:11:15 #
saidel42
Loc: NJ
I agree with most of you that it is the self-selection issue. I like it x-way. But there is another issue. The slow exposure produces a silky, smooth structure that contrasts with the sharp edges of objects around it. One's brain detects that as "odd" as in "odd in an interesting way" and requires addition mental interpretation. In my opinion, that makes the image potentially richer. It also makes the water move and adds a shape of an object not there.
Jun 8, 2018 07:12:06 #
cdayton wrote:
I have always wondered why some photogs prefer the silky look for flowing water. My preference has been to convey some sense of movement in the image. I’ve included an old iPhone shot in Sabino Canyon, Tucson that is one of my favorites - won’t really take much enlargement. What are the arguments for silky other than person taste?
I can't understand why all people don't buy silver cars. That's what I think looks best.
Jun 8, 2018 07:34:59 #
I tend to shoot both modalities, still and flowing. Many times I go for the still shot.
Jun 8, 2018 07:52:21 #
Jun 8, 2018 08:05:13 #
Unrelated.... Sabino Canyon is one of my most favorite spots in the country. We winter there. Amazing spot.
Jun 8, 2018 08:58:46 #
I think you see a lot more of the smooth water effect in the U.S. In Asian countries - Japan I think, they like the stopped action water fall photos. To each their own.
Jun 8, 2018 09:08:55 #
gvarner
Loc: Central Oregon Coast
I don't particularly like silky but if it's used at all it should be combined with some ethereal condition like fog or mist on broad sweeps of water instead of streams.
Jun 8, 2018 09:22:10 #
I agree that it's an artistic choice and I tend to favor it over "frozen" water. I think part of it is that point-and-shooters tend to capture waterfalls in the middle of the day and the water is always frozen in place with the sun hitting it. Never looked right to me, I always felt slower shutter speeds were more pleasing. The key IMO is to show motion without losing all detail. I like to start about 1/4 second and go from there. That usually gives me a nice combo of flowing motion and detail.
Jun 8, 2018 09:26:04 #
Jun 8, 2018 10:04:55 #
cdayton wrote:
I have always wondered why some photogs prefer the silky look for flowing water. My preference has been to convey some sense of movement in the image. I’ve included an old iPhone shot in Sabino Canyon, Tucson that is one of my favorites - won’t really take much enlargement. What are the arguments for silky other than person taste?
It's all in your mood and style, as previously mentioned, (at least it should be.)
Some photographers see and/or read something on the internet and take it as the blanket truth. (Hopefully you take my computer talk as my opinion that can be modified as you feel fit to do.)
If you notice that photographer's silky smooth, (or a variance of), sets a mood for the image. Although not always, (ND filter work etc.), silky water is found with morning or evening shots which are a bit darker than directly under a clear day's noon-time sun. Darker is moodier most of the time. I've seen photos that are totally opposite but very few done "correctly" as I look at them. I guess all that falls under the saying that "rules are meant to be broken."
Jun 8, 2018 10:14:36 #
Personally, I will generally shoot a water shot with many different exposure settings using multiple shutter speeds, aperture settings, and even different ISO settings. It is not unusual for me to have 30-50 different shots. Of course, I am very amateur and a true professional might not need or want that many shots. It is photographic practice and exploration for me as much as anything. I got pretty lucky on this shot. I actually won a photo competition entitled “Shades of Blue” with this picture, which was a most pleasant surprise. However, this shot was one of many I took of this scene. It was shot at f20 for 20 seconds in almost dark conditions at dusk. I learned a lot about longer exposures on this outing and got lucky as well. To the contrary, I also like water shots that freeze the movement of water. It really just depends on the composition and the intention.
Jun 8, 2018 10:15:42 #
We were set a challenge by a visiting pro to our club to show movement in water - and keep a reflection. I posted my attempts in 'FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION' and it can be seen here.
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-525605-1.html
Try various shutter speeds and see what effect you like best.
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-525605-1.html
Try various shutter speeds and see what effect you like best.
Jun 8, 2018 10:21:54 #
rgrenaderphoto wrote:
Long exposures let you take a ho-hum photograph of flowing water and make it something ethereal. The milky or silky look is a total transformation of what I think is nice, but totally mundane picture of water flowing over objects. The milky look draws viewers into the image, looking at the almost surreal shapes of flowing water as it cascades over the same rocks as in #1
Maybe it's a matter of taste but I MUCH prefer #1. It's far from mundane and communicates the nature of flowing, splattering water. The second picture just mushes it all into a smear. Again, it's my personal perspective. I'm certain others will strenuously argue for the other.
Jun 8, 2018 10:37:06 #
photoman022
Loc: Manchester CT USA
Whether I go for the "silky" look or not depends upon the scene and the feeling I'm trying to convey. For a tiny rivulet, I will go for the silky look, especially if there are rocks or some other feature in the water. For some waterfalls, especially narrow ones, I will again (usually) opt for the silky looks. If I want to convey the feeling of power in the water (waves crashing against the Pacific coast line or a big waterfall), I will use a faster shutter speed to capture the power of the water. Silky or sharp? It depends!
Jun 8, 2018 10:38:59 #
Another factor that I did not see mentioned is this: do you have a tripod at hand to use for the long duration shots. I for one tend not to carry a pod when in the tougher terrain--ya don't got it, ya can't use it. John
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