O.K. guys and gals I need some help. I see all these great waterfall shots from the gorge, and I would like to make some of the same shots.
My latest problem is I am getting up there to late in the morning. My daughter inherited my D80 and always wants to go but by the time she showers ECT. It is too late; there are too many people, to much sun.
I do not have any pro glass (yet).
This is what I have to work with:
Nikon D200
Nikkor16-85 VR
Nikkor 70-300mm VR
Nikkor 50mm 1.8D
Sigma 10-20mm
Nikon SB600 Speedlight
Monffranto Tripod & 3039 Super Pro head (big)
Any suggestions are appreciated.
Posted by Darren White on June 25, 2008 at 8:11 PM
In my honest opinion.....here is what you can do....
1. tell your daughter that showers are not needed for hiking and shooting waterfalls....no parfume either.
2. Go without her if she is not ready at 4am, cause that is when it starts getting light right now....
3. I used to have the Sigma 10-20 and loved it....I busted it or I would still have it....
4. you do not need the speedlight for waterfalls....it will only cause sparkles in the water and stop the water movement.
5. Tripod is good....I have 2 of them.
6. you could leave the 70-300 at home...not needed for waterfalls, unless you are very very far away.....and it is just extra weight to carry around
7. the 50 1.8 is a tack sharp lens...Keep it at all cost, if you get a full frame camera in the future you will want it. Trust me!
8. Read 1 and 2 again and imprint them in your brain.....that is the best advice I can give....
A big ditto on Darren's advice. The great shots you see here have nothing to do with equipment - it's largely artistic vision and being there at the right time. Though, that doesn't necessarily mean being there at very early or late hours. Overcast midday conditions can be excellent for waterfalls.
The D200 and any one of the lenses you have can produce fantastic images. Add a tripod and possibly a polarizer, and you're on your way.
Posted by Scott Nelson on June 26, 2008 at 1:31 AM
If you cant make it early in the day, go late in the day. Also, ditto on the overcast days, lord knows we get enough of them here in the North West.
I like to use a Graduated ND filter for any shots with moving water.
I have a D80 and the 50mm 1.8 is a great lens, I am really glad I have that one too.
I know this is probably a revolutionary idea here...but you don't have to get up early to shoot waterfalls on sunny days. Go in the evening - instead of hiking in in the dark, you'll be hiking out in the dark.
Oh, do take your daughter. Especially if she is interested in photography. It builds a good relationship with you and great memories for you both. Just suggest to her that she forget the stylin' and turn tomboy for those early a.m. photography hikes. The make-up routine can wait 'til after!
The choice of lenses to take on a shoot is pretty personal according to what you like to shoot and how you want to compose shots. All the lenses you have, and the camera body, give you lots of choices. Pro glass is nice but not necessary.
I was just kidding about leaving her home. I just got to get her up earlier. I am up by 4:00 a.m. anyway. She is 17 and there will not be to many more trips with the old man I'm afraid, so if we are a little late thats O.K.. I have the rest of my life to go
Oh, you! Hard to tell in the written word when someone is teasing. I'm hopelessly opinionated on this topic because I just LOVED going with my dad whatever he did, whenever I was invited and whenever I begged and he gave in (which didn't seem to hard for either of us on the begging and giving in!) I now am so thankful for all the influence he had on me.
Posted by Darren White on June 29, 2008 at 1:29 AM
I may be a hard A** but I still say leave her at home if she does not want to get up that early....
if she really wants to get into photography and wants to capture the sweet natural light....she will get up for it......otherwise nature/landscape work is false hope......
My daughter is almost 2 and I tell her about hiking, photography and owning her own camera everyday......nothing would make me happier than if she decided to take it up too.....and since I am the early riser in our home I am hoping she gets that from me!
the day my daughter and I can hike to Tunnel falls and back will be one of the happiest days of my life.........I am thinking when she is 5 or 6
I have not been able to post for a while so am just now catching up. I was so glad when I got to your last post. they don't stay around long. Take every opportunity and I like the overcast day ideas. I am reminded about the old song "Cats in the Cradle" and the newer christian song "Cinderella"(i think that is the name). Your time with her is precious and I am so glad you are taking every advantage to experience this time with her. You will BOTH treasure it. Thanks for listening.
Mary
Mary,
I have plenty of time for the perfect light later on. I do enjoy our outings together, so untill then, we get there when we get there and enjoy our time together.
Discussion
13 repliesMy latest problem is I am getting up there to late in the morning. My daughter inherited my D80 and always wants to go but by the time she showers ECT. It is too late; there are too many people, to much sun.
I do not have any pro glass (yet).
This is what I have to work with:
Nikon D200
Nikkor16-85 VR
Nikkor 70-300mm VR
Nikkor 50mm 1.8D
Sigma 10-20mm
Nikon SB600 Speedlight
Monffranto Tripod & 3039 Super Pro head (big)
Any suggestions are appreciated.
1. tell your daughter that showers are not needed for hiking and shooting waterfalls....no parfume either.
2. Go without her if she is not ready at 4am, cause that is when it starts getting light right now....
3. I used to have the Sigma 10-20 and loved it....I busted it or I would still have it....
4. you do not need the speedlight for waterfalls....it will only cause sparkles in the water and stop the water movement.
5. Tripod is good....I have 2 of them.
6. you could leave the 70-300 at home...not needed for waterfalls, unless you are very very far away.....and it is just extra weight to carry around
7. the 50 1.8 is a tack sharp lens...Keep it at all cost, if you get a full frame camera in the future you will want it. Trust me!
8. Read 1 and 2 again and imprint them in your brain.....that is the best advice I can give....
Good luck!
The D200 and any one of the lenses you have can produce fantastic images. Add a tripod and possibly a polarizer, and you're on your way.
I like to use a Graduated ND filter for any shots with moving water.
I have a D80 and the 50mm 1.8 is a great lens, I am really glad I have that one too.
and I will agree yes you can shoot in the evening I just prefer to get up early and shoot the morning light
The choice of lenses to take on a shoot is pretty personal according to what you like to shoot and how you want to compose shots. All the lenses you have, and the camera body, give you lots of choices. Pro glass is nice but not necessary.
if she really wants to get into photography and wants to capture the sweet natural light....she will get up for it......otherwise nature/landscape work is false hope......
My daughter is almost 2 and I tell her about hiking, photography and owning her own camera everyday......nothing would make me happier than if she decided to take it up too.....and since I am the early riser in our home I am hoping she gets that from me!
the day my daughter and I can hike to Tunnel falls and back will be one of the happiest days of my life.........I am thinking when she is 5 or 6
Mary
I have plenty of time for the perfect light later on. I do enjoy our outings together, so untill then, we get there when we get there and enjoy our time together.