Waterfalls make great subjects for landscape photos.
Whether it be a powerful rush of water, or a small trickle meandering down the side of a hill or mountain, there are loads of great shots you can create.
In this post we’ll look at a few tips to help you get the best out of your waterfall photos.
There will always be a waterfall within driving distance pretty much anywhere in the UK.
Lets get on with the tips.
Take the Right Equipment with you.
Everybody has their go to kit for different photography projects.
For waterfalls, i like a fast zoom lens, a couple of good filters, and a very sturdy tripod. make sure you take a good waterproof bag with you and dress for the occasion.
For most of my work i use the following
Foreground Interest
consumed by the falling water. look at using the foreground to add interest. rocks, grasses and banks, fallen branches etc… Always easier to shoot if your at the bottom of the falls.
Weather Conditions
Usually having a nice bit of sun, and a few clouds is perfect, but with waterfalls, it is Generally better with cloudy and overcast weather. With bright sunny conditions there can be harsh glares, nasty reflections and can easily overexpose the water. Cloudy and overcast weather usually produces a better result and allow the landscape to show it’s best colours.
Shutter Speeds
Shutter speeds will have a huge impact on the end results. It really depends on the look you want to go for. If you want to stop the water mid flow go faster (1/100th) for a soft blur maybe 1 or 2 seconds and you can go as long as you want. In brighter conditions the slower the shutter speed, the more chance of overexposure.
The slower you go, the more likely you’ll need a ND or Neutral Density Filter to cut the amount of light hitting the camera sensor. Its all about the effect you want, Start with a shutter speed you think will work and adjust up and down slightly, to dial it in to the exact effect you want.
Get Up Close and Personal.
Sometimes you need to dip your toe in the water, and also fight with the gnats and bugs that are chewing on your extremities. Make sure your Tripod can handle being in the water and make sure everything is solid when you are that close to the water. Close shots look amazing when they isolate the bit of the falls you want.
The main thing for me is to just get out and shoot. Practice, Practice, Practice.
Finally, have fun and stay safe, and enjoy shooting.
Any suggestions for future blog posts, drop me an email. I will at some point be going into more detail on future posts.
you can see more of my work at
#garethnormanphotography #waterfalls #longexposure #landscape
About Me
I’m Gareth, a 38 year old IT contractor, Photographer, Eternal Optimist and Blogger. I have been behind a camera for about 4 years now and love shooting the stars, and anything else for that matter. Learning is the main aim for me. I am a family man, and strive to be the best i can be in all fields that i put my mind and heart to.
