When photographing a long exposure when water is included, you are faced with different decisions. One of the decisions is how you want the water to look. In some cases you’ll have less choices than in others. For example, if the water is flowing extremely fast, then it’s less likely that you will achieve a perfectly smooth (or what I like to call “icy”) look. At the same time, if the water is slow moving, you’re less likely to achieve a puffy look. You’re more likely to achieve an icy look.
You could easily do a Google search for recommended shutter speeds for running water, but in my opinion it’s more fun to try it on your own. Head out to a location with moving water and set yourself up for a fun long exposure photograph. Get your neutral density filters ready. Put your ISO to the lowest, aperture at your favorite, and start with a 2-stop neutral density filter. Once you’re ready, get the exposure and click the shutter button. Not smooth enough? Use a thicker neutral density filter or vice versa as needed.
You see – we all have our own tastes. Sometimes I like to have the water perfectly still and smooth, but sometimes I prefer that milky feel. For example, the photograph from Rocky Mountain National Park below had fast-moving water, and the shutter speed was 13 seconds using a 10-stop neutral density filter. If I extended the exposure more so that the water was smoother, the end result might have been just as eye-catching. However, I went with what you see due to personal preference. There is no right or wrong answer. The answer is what is in your head and what you do with that thought process.
My friend Brian photographed a shipwreck in Portland, Oregon and went with an exposure that was borderline milky and puffy. You can see that photograph on his blog. In his photograph the smooth icy water would bring 100% of the attention to the wreck instead of a good mixture of singular focus and texture curiosity.
Whether you decide to go with longer or shorter exposures, thicker or thinner neutral density filters, or smoother or textured movement, be sure that you’re achieving what you had envisioned in your mind. Challenge yourself and have fun doing it.
Thanks for reading,
Scott
You May Also Like
