My first attempts at Waterfall Photos

[Kathryn002]

Hi,
I'm new here, and also quite new to photography. My camera is a simple point-and-shoot, so I can't change the aperture or anything, just the shutter-speed and ISO.
I'm dabbling in several different types of photography, and after seeing some stunning waterfall pictures, I thought I'd give that a try!
Anyway, here is one of my photos I took in the north of Scotland a couple of days ago.
I'd like critiques on how to improve this photo, and, more importantly, how to take better photos in the future.


Thanks everybody.

[gahspidy]

Kathryn, welcome. Glad you found us. Well, I have never done any waterfall shots and also without being there it is hard to explain what I or you could have done diferently, but the main isues I see here with your shot is it appears to be too centered. From top to bottom, left to right, it is right in the middle of the frame and it might be that which gives me the impression that this could be water running along a stream on level ground as opposed to a waterfall.
I think these are very difficult to do to start with.In this case, the surrounding do not seem to lend to any benefit and so zooming in on a certain particuliar area might work best. Either that or zooming out altogther and showing much more of the setting. It seems now that you are in between.
I do like the slow shutter used as that always gives the running water a nice cottony look.
Do you hve any other compositions of this fall from this shoot? It is always good practice to shoot a scene/subject from many different compositions and perspectives and be able to sort out later what worked the best.
Looking forward to more from you and happy to have you with us

[Kathryn002]

Thank you very much for your reply.

I took millions of pictures, so I will post a photo that is less centred and has more of the surroundings in the frame, and one that is zoomed in more, showing less foliage.

Thanks again.

[Greg McCary]

I also like the movement in the water. But it looks as though your shutter speed may have been to long. The water looks a little blown out. You might think about trying a polarizer to knock some glare off of the water and get a little more detail in the"flow". I don't get around to many falls but I do know that shooting on cloudy days works well with the lighting. It looks from this as though you may have done that. I agree also with Gary that it is a little centered. Great for a first try and welcome to PR. I look forward to more shots. Thanks for posting.....

[Kathryn002]

Here's a similar picture, one with a wider view, and one cropped a lot tighter:




Thank you for replying Greg McCary. Where will I find a polarizer function? On my camera or on Photoshop? I can't find it on Photoshop. Sorry if I'm being slow. ;)

[gahspidy]

What Greg is reffering to is a filter that goes over your lens which helps cut out glare and reflective highlights. It also has a side effect benefit of bringing out the blue and deep color of sky and accenting the clouds Your P&S camera may not have the possibility of fitting one, but check your manual that came with it. sometimes the manufacturer offers various lens acccessories that can fit your equipment.
I like your second vertical shot best. It is sharper around the foliage areas. I like the inclusion of the base of the Falls and the water running out of the bottom of the frame helps the composition alot. Also, there is a bit more at top by the starting point and that seems to help as well. The horizontal framing is better than your first image posted but not better than the second vertical. There is alot of uninteresting area around the falls and it looks just like negative space.
I'm sure of all the shots you took, you have even better ones . . .
Looking forward.

[racedraper]

pretty good try ,but image this picture in a couple of months when everything is green and in bloom. I would love to see this shot again.
at least yo are out on the fresh air and having fun . keep shooting cause you will only get better:thumbsup:

[CaraRose]

Hi,

There's something, especially in the first one but a little in all of them, that space is a bit skewed. It's hard to tell what angle and depth perspective are in it.

The first one, I agree that your shutter was a bit too long. I think that the second to last one has the best shutter length, personally.

I love waterfalls I always over do my shutter on them though and burn out my water.

[Kathryn002]

What Greg is reffering to is a filter that goes over your lens which helps cut out glare and reflective highlights. It also has a side effect benefit of bringing out the blue and deep color of sky and accenting the clouds Your P&S camera may not have the possibility of fitting one, but check your manual that came with it. sometimes the manufacturer offers various lens acccessories that can fit your equipment.
I like your second vertical shot best. It is sharper around the foliage areas. I like the inclusion of the base of the Falls and the water running out of the bottom of the frame helps the composition alot. Also, there is a bit more at top by the starting point and that seems to help as well. The horizontal framing is better than your first image posted but not better than the second vertical. There is alot of uninteresting area around the falls and it looks just like negative space.
I'm sure of all the shots you took, you have even better ones . . .
Looking forward.

Thanks for explaining the polarizer, it really cleared it up for me. I'll look into it.
Thanks again.

Racedraper: Thank you. Hopefully I will get back there sometime later this year, when it will be more colourful.

CaraRose: I see what you mean. Next time I'll shorten the shutter length slightly. Thanks!

[polarbeardiggers]

i like all your shots,with my point and shoot camera,i'm lucky enough to have the polarizer filter and still able to use the nuetral density 8 filter on top of that as well to get that slow milky soft flowing water shots, but i really enjoy looking at those images and wonder how nice it would be to be there,your very fortunate, good luck on your next adventure.

[Kathryn002]

Thank you. It was lovely with lots of little hidden streams and waterfalls dotted around.