I just went to RMNP this past weekend with the family. The rivers and waterfalls are really flowing right now!
Unfortunatley I was not shooting during prime time and the sun was pretty bright.
My question is, is there anyway to achieve that slower motion water effect with the sun out? Would you need to stack multiple ND filters or something to slow down the exposure? Also I was wondering what you think is *slow enough* to get that cool kind of water motion effect like Jesse and many others here get?
You've got the right idea with stacking ND filters. Also, throw your polarizer on your lens as well. Stop way down around at least f16 during a bright day. Shoot around 1/10 a second or preferably less.
The filters can work for this .. I like to get 1/3 second or longer. But it will generally be better to shoot in less harsh lighting, such as in early morning or on an overcast day. Even just waiting for the sun to go behind a cloud can help. The polarizer can help a little, but the water's generally going to appear too bright and lacking detail with the harsh light.
To get those milky white and delicate falls you will need to work in more filtered light instead of direct bright light. Raging rivers are very hard to work with if you want that softer feel, but if you go where the river looks more still and work in more subdtal lighting you can really pull out the stops (no pun intended) and get that "Got Milk" effect.
other wise the info Grant and Brian share is accurate as well. I have not seen the images you were referring to that Jesse had.
Call me when you can at the number you have and i can talk you through the shots i have.
Posted by Jesse Speer on June 12, 2006 at 10:47 PM
Derek,
A 10-stop ND filter would be a good addition to your bag, for such situations. I agree with the comments here ... look for better conditions. But if you're out there at midday and just want to shoot what you have, with the effect you mention, try this particular filter. Also shoot low ISO and small aperture, obviously.
The attached pic was shot yesterday at Lincoln Creek near Aspen. I was visiting the area at midday on my way home, when I stopped to explore a pretty cool spot in the stream. I shot several photos so I could remind myself to revisit on a cloudy day. It was shot in full, bright midday sun ... not a cloud in the sky. 3 seconds at f/16, 100 ISO - and a 10 stop ND filter that is "stronger" than it is supposed to be (13 stops really).
I also like the raging water look. I used to shoot nearly everything with the longest exposure possible, looking for that smooth water effect. But a little texture in the water is nice, and sometimes the stop action that shows the runoff rage works better. Althought quite contrasty, I think what you have here captures what the river was like during your visit. A super long exposure would have killed the drama. It's all a matter of personal taste though. Just play around with exposure once you get your ND filters.
Posted by Brent Murphy on June 12, 2006 at 10:50 PM
I've stacked 2 polarizers to try to shoot long exposures at mid-day. It's worked pretty well. You can turn the polarizers to get a variety of exposure differences. I think this is similar to how the Singh-Ray Vari-ND (or whatever it's called) filter works.
Posted by Derek Sedillo on June 12, 2006 at 11:33 PM
Thank all for the helpful insight and advice.
Currently I am looking into to getting started with a filter setup for my Tokina 12-24. It is a little harder to find something that fits the wider angle lenses such as this. But Cokin makes a newer wide angle P-filter holder. Unfortunately it only hold one filter at a time. I could just get a really strong ND filter and use that I suppose.
It looks like you were using some kind of GND filter also they way the sky colors really pop while the land is still really rich looking. It also looks like you were there at the right time .If I could just get *one* shot like that Maroon Lake pic all year I would be very happy.
I'm planning on Shooting the Garden for Sunrise Saturday the 17th then right after that heading up to Green Mountain Falls to do some cascades up there, if you'd like to meet! Call me or email me by Friday evening the 16th.
Discussion
7 repliesI just went to RMNP this past weekend with the family. The rivers and waterfalls are really flowing right now!
Unfortunatley I was not shooting during prime time and the sun was pretty bright.
My question is, is there anyway to achieve that slower motion water effect with the sun out? Would you need to stack multiple ND filters or something to slow down the exposure? Also I was wondering what you think is *slow enough* to get that cool kind of water motion effect like Jesse and many others here get?
Thanks,
Derek
You've got the right idea with stacking ND filters. Also, throw your polarizer on your lens as well. Stop way down around at least f16 during a bright day. Shoot around 1/10 a second or preferably less.
other wise the info Grant and Brian share is accurate as well. I have not seen the images you were referring to that Jesse had.
Call me when you can at the number you have and i can talk you through the shots i have.
A 10-stop ND filter would be a good addition to your bag, for such situations. I agree with the comments here ... look for better conditions. But if you're out there at midday and just want to shoot what you have, with the effect you mention, try this particular filter. Also shoot low ISO and small aperture, obviously.
The attached pic was shot yesterday at Lincoln Creek near Aspen. I was visiting the area at midday on my way home, when I stopped to explore a pretty cool spot in the stream. I shot several photos so I could remind myself to revisit on a cloudy day. It was shot in full, bright midday sun ... not a cloud in the sky. 3 seconds at f/16, 100 ISO - and a 10 stop ND filter that is "stronger" than it is supposed to be (13 stops really).
I also like the raging water look. I used to shoot nearly everything with the longest exposure possible, looking for that smooth water effect. But a little texture in the water is nice, and sometimes the stop action that shows the runoff rage works better. Althought quite contrasty, I think what you have here captures what the river was like during your visit. A super long exposure would have killed the drama. It's all a matter of personal taste though. Just play around with exposure once you get your ND filters.
Currently I am looking into to getting started with a filter setup for my Tokina 12-24. It is a little harder to find something that fits the wider angle lenses such as this. But Cokin makes a newer wide angle P-filter holder. Unfortunately it only hold one filter at a time. I could just get a really strong ND filter and use that I suppose.
Jesse, thanks for the tips and encouragement regarding different styles. It was your post on Aspen that really inspired me to try and get that slower motion water effect:
http://www.naturephotographers.net/imagecritique/bbs.cgi?a=vm&mr=7929&b=vf10&st=40&la=1095&ph=68&sid=7782&u=7810
It looks like you were using some kind of GND filter also they way the sky colors really pop while the land is still really rich looking. It also looks like you were there at the right time
Thanks again,
Derek
I'm planning on Shooting the Garden for Sunrise Saturday the 17th then right after that heading up to Green Mountain Falls to do some cascades up there, if you'd like to meet! Call me or email me by Friday evening the 16th.