From droplets on leaves to canals, rivers and oceans, water is ever-charming for a beautiful photograph. As a photographer, you are sure to have been inspired by the tall waterfalls and running streams. You would have captured many as well; but what does it need to capture that gorgeous professional water photograph. Here are few tips that will help you.
1. Have the equipments handy: Shooting water would not always call in for advanced camera gears and lenses. But it does depend on what you want to capture about water. A DSLR and a tripod would do the needful for your best photographs.
There is one thing that any other type of photography would not insist on. It is the cloth wipes. Though it might sound little unimportant, you will feel its importance on the site. In places where you want to pitch near the water body, you can’t do without this for every single shot.
2. Decide the Shutter Speed: Fast shutter speed would work well to capture waves and those moments to freeze water on the rocks. Whereas, a slow shutter speed would help to capture great motion and that silken effect. With setting the shutter speed, you should also be careful about the movement in the background, like if there is any tree in motion. You may experiment with multiple shutter speeds before going on for a fixed one.
3. Go Anytime, Any Season: Pitch in at any time of a day to capture the all-time beautiful nature’s elixir. Dawn and Dusk would be great for a sun rise and sun set shot. You should also try out the ‘blue’ body by staying little longer. With seasons, water takes up different looks. So, try out they glory in every season.
One small tip here would be to use long exposures at dusk and dawn. Also, you may use a neutral density filter to help you create long exposures at any time of the day. You may also use a polarizer if you want to cut out the glare.
4. Never Bother to Get wet: Getting closer can noticeably portray the blurring effect of water. You may wear a good set of waders, if you bother about getting wet or water shoes to feel better while concentrating on the photo shoot.
5. Underexpose: Excessive highlight on water would make it look white and would make it difficult to recover the details in areas that are clipped. So, you may underexpose by 1/3 or ½ a stop.
6. Say a ‘No’ to the Sky: By eliminating the sky, you may create a more intimate shot to your subject.
7. Explore Beyond the Sun-Lit Areas: While most of us would have enjoyed the beauty upright in front of us, you may explore into the darker scenes that can ‘awe’ your audience.
8. Do not Miss the Peculiar Water Movements: Any swirls, spirals and splash would definitely be a treat to you. Capture them right away.
9. Reflect the Reflections: Water is the natural mirror that best shows what’s in front. This property of water can give you a best shot. Explore it.
10. Try Out with Objects: Water as a medium of transport and that hides a whole new world can be shown well with ships, boats, shells, seaweed, sand dunes, rocks and more.
Above all, do not take the strength of streams, falls and oceans lightly. Never risk too much and never follow your things if they fall off.