How to Photograph Waterfalls

In this post, we intend to show you how to get the most of your camera equipment while shooting waterfall. Even though it can seem easy, photographing waterfalls and making the water appear smooth can be difficult, especially if you don't have the necessary tools. 

While shooting waterfalls handheld is possible, using a steady tripod will allow you to use extremely slow shutter rates without having to worry about camera shake. Keep reading to learn more about how to photograph waterfalls.

What Gear Needed to Take Pictures of Waterfalls?

If you have no other choice but to use a smartphone, you may still get waterfall images by using the "live photos" camera mode and adding the "long exposure" effect after that. However, if you want to capture waterfalls in the highest quality, you'll need to spend money on the following camera gear:

• Camera: DSLRs or mirrorless cameras that can be used with interchangeable lenses are good options. 

• Lenses: When photographing waterfalls, there is no the best lens; instead, pick your lenses depending on the shot composition you want to achieve. A wide-angle lens is best for catching the entire waterfall, whereas a telephoto lens is best for photographing the intricacies in a smaller section of the waterfall.

• Lens filters: Polarizing filters and neutral density filters are 2 kinds of lens filters that are extremely helpful in waterfall photography. You may also get a longer exposure with polarizing filters, which contributes to the appearance of "silky water." ND filters, on the other hand, enables you to reduce your shutter speed further without risking an overexposed photograph.

• Tripods: A reliable tripod is essential since camera shaking may quickly damage the longer exposure periods needed for waterfall photography.

• Remote shutter release: A remote shutter release helps prevent camera shaking while pressing the shutter button to prevent blurry waterfall images.

Waterfall photography camera settings

For taking pictures of waterfalls, use these fundamental camera settings as a main basis. As you acquire expertise, though, feel free to rely on your gut and make further adjustments. 

• ISO: The ISO setting on your camera controls how sensitive it is to light. To capture the best waterfall image while reducing your shutter speed, set your camera's ISO to its lowest level (ISO 100).
• Aperture: The quantity of light passing through the lens and the field of view are both influenced by your aperture setting. The aperture you select will depend on the composition of the picture you're shooting, but it's usually ideal to take waterfall pictures with a narrow aperture so that the picture stays with a longer exposure. You may get a small aperture by choosing a high f-stop number, such as f/9 or greater.
• Shutter speed: Depending on how much movement you want to capture to choose a shutter speed. Slower shutter shutter speeds capture motion blur to give the image of flowing water whereas faster shutter speeds enable the flow of water to look frozen in time. Slower shutter speeds are often used while taking photos of waterfalls.

6 Tips for Waterfall photography

Use these waterfall photography tips to get ready for breath-taking images:

• Photograph on cloudy days

• Avoid windy days

• Shoot at different angles

• Prep for getting wet

• Shield your camera from waterfall water 

• Post-process your file for the best results

Final Thought

We hope that this blog has helped you prepare to snap your first waterfall photograph. Don’t forget to share your beautiful photos with us once you finish it!