After the rains the day before, I got up early and headed to the falls above Hessie.
Looking down the cascade of water. As usual, click on the photos for a larger version
My friend Joel has been visiting Colorado this past week. He asked how to get the photo effect of smoothing out the water. It’s a time exposure. All five of these photos use this technique. The exposure time on the above photo was 1/2 second.
1/4 second time exposure
This only works with a camera that has some manual control. The amount of time needed depends on fast the water is flowing and how smooth you want the effect. The lens I was using for these photos has the ability to close down its aperture to f22. With a polarizing filter on the front of blocking a little bit more light, I was able to do exposures of 1/13 to 1/2 second.
- 1/13 second exposure.
Sometimes I also use a neutral density filter on the end of the lens. This filter blocks even more light (9 stops) and allows me to use longer exposures. It makes the water appear even more wispy.
5 second exposure
I lugged a tripod up to the falls. The camera has to remain perfectly still during the exposure, or everything gets blurred.
A closer view of the falls in the previous photo. 5 second exposure.
Stunning, beautiful photos!! I love the wispy, ethereal effect of the water.
And, do you mind if I ask what kind of camera you’re using?
Thanks. I’m using the Canon 50D DSLR.
I have the Canon 40. I used to be a Nikon girl, then I got my first Canon several years ago, and never looked back. They’re great cameras.
I just wish they were lighter. It seems like my camera gear is always adding about 5 to 10 pounds to my pack when I’m hiking.
Absolutely stunning!
Thanks, Chris!
Fantastic shots, as always. Do you ever get tired of being so talented? 😉
Thanks. 😛
I always wondered how you got that “smoothed out” look!
The photographs are gorgeous.:)
Thanks, Liz!
Do you know Terri? She left a comment above. She is from Scottland, too. Her blog is at http://www.justone-terlee.blogspot.com/
I don’t know Terri, but thank you for the link Randy, will check it out…always lovely to meet another Scot.:)