How to Photograph Running Water With a DSLR GA S REGULAR Menu Lifewire Tech for Humans Newsletter! Search Close GO Smart & Connected Life > Travel Tech 54 54 people found this article helpful
How to Photograph Running Water
Create stunning running water images with these tips
By Jo Plumridge Jo Plumridge Writer University of Plymouth Former Lifewire writer Jo Plumridge is a photography professional and writer for photography and travel venues such as BBC, Digital Camera Magazine, and Saga Magazine. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on July 3, 2022 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Travel Tech Digital Cameras & Photography Tips for Mobile Photography What to Know
Set up a tripod. Choose a slow shutter speed (at least 1/2 second) and a small aperture (at least f/22).Use a neutral-density (ND) filter and set the ISO to 100. Shoot at sunrise or sunset, or shoot on an overcast day.To shoot water in its natural state, switch to a faster shutter speed, such as 1/60th of a second. This article explains how to photograph running water with a DSLR camera. Use a Tripod
Balance your camera securely on a tripod, rock, flat wall, or similar steady surface. To produce the silky effect in many running water photographs, you'll be using a long exposure, so the camera must stay still and steady. Holding a camera at these longer exposures will create a blurry image. DSLR video is best taken using a tripod. Jorg Greuel/Getty Images Use a Slow Shutter Speed
Meter your shutter speed using a light meter, if possible. If you don't have one, give your camera an exposure of at least 1/2 second and adjust from there. A slow shutter speed will blur the water and give it that heavenly feel. Use a Small Aperture
Stop down to an aperture of at least f/22. This will allow for a large depth of field to keep everything in the image in focus. It will also require the use of a longer shutter speed. These two factors work together to create the best waterfall pictures. Use a Neutral-Density ND Filter
ND filters reduce exposure and are very useful in achieving those slow shutter speeds while allowing for a large depth of field. Koldunova_Anna / Getty Images Use a Low ISO
The lower the ISO, the less noise the image will have. Always use the lowest ISO possible to create the highest-quality images. The low ISO will also slow down the shutter speed. An ISO of 100 is best for waterfall shots. Use Low Light
By slowing down the shutter speed, you'll increase the light that gets into your camera, risking overexposure. Less natural light will help prevent this issue. Shoot at sunrise or sunset, when the color temperature of light is more forgiving. If this is not possible, chose an overcast day rather than a bright, sunny one. Take Your Time
By now, you might have noticed that strategies for photographing running water center on slowing down the shutter speed. This type of photography is all about patience, so take your time. Calculate every step and pay close attention to composition and perspective. Practice often, and before you know it, you'll have that dreamy waterfall image you've envisioned. To shoot water in its natural state, simply switch to a faster shutter speed, such as 1/60th of a second. This will show water as the human eye perceives it and stop any movement. Also consider using a polarizing filter to increase the depth and vibrance of your photo. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire Mastering Shutter Priority Mode on Your DSLR Tips for Shooting Water Reflection Photos Shoot Long Exposure Pictures on an iPhone Using Slow Shutter Cam What Is Burst Mode and How to Use It What Is Aperture? How to Use Manual Camera Settings on Your DSLR Camera Snow Photography Tips: Improve Winter Photography How to Have Success With Crowd Photography How to Fix Olympus Mirrorless Camera Problems Mobile Photography: Light Trails Tutorial How to Take Better Sunset Photos With an iPhone How to Use the Motorola Camera App Black and White Photography: Make Great B&W Pictures How to Use Google Pixel Night Sight How to Use Android Night Mode How to Shoot Photos in Strong Wind Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies