It was a very rainy day when I headed down to the City of Waterfalls, also known as (legally…) the City of Hamilton, Ontario.
The photography club* that I am a member of planned this outing. The president of the club told me she had actually found this spot by accident. Wonderful! Sometimes they make the best places to shoot.
My mum came along for the day with me, and we arrived at the waterfall (Sherman Falls) at 9am. A bit later than I had expected, but it was nice to see that a few other club members were still lingering.
Despite the rain, I managed to capture quite a few great images. The rain actually brought out the colours much more vibrantly than any adjusting in photoshop could accomplish. I think I might actually get out more when it’s raining to shoot nature, just for that vibrant effect!
So, I thought with this post I would also include a simple trick to capturing waterfalls and acquiring the blurred, misty, heavenly waterflow. It’s simple: Slow down your shutter speed!
I am always in Manual mode. I had on my #3 Neutral Density filter (which lessens the amount of light entering my camera. In the case of slowing shutter speeds during the day, too much light can ruin the shot you’re aiming for). The settings I used were:
f/14, 0.6 sec, ISO 200, at 18mm.
This leaf was near another waterfall we visited that day. It was the only leaf on the ground with raindrops that large! It was just waiting for me to take it’s picture.
Click on the images or click this link to view the whole set from that day on my Flickr page.
*If you are in the Waterloo Region, or farther, you are welcome to join our photography club! All experience levels, all camera users (film & digital)… check out our website: www.gripskw.ca
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7 comments ↓
That waterfall shot is absolutely stunning. I need to remember that little tip the next time I’m down in Virginia doing nature shots!
Beautiful shots! My husband and I just bought a new camera. I have been thinking about taking a photography class and I think I am going to look around to see if we have any local photography clubs.
Nice to happen upon your blog with its interesting stories and gorgeous pictures from ‘around home’.
Love the waterfall photo. All the fallen leaves give it a seasonal quality that makes it unique.
Thanks for the tip about the waterfalls. I remember hearing that in a photography class, but had virtually forgotten it.
Thanks everyone!
I’m glad I could help
@beeker, definitely join a club! I find it to be so important for my own inspiration and learning. Especially considering I’m the youngest member, I’ve got a lot to learn!
I love your waterfall shot! And that macro on the leaf is absolutely beautiful….:) I have just picked up photography for a couple of months and am still learning. I did some waterfall shots couple of months ago….but didn’t have my tripod with me and the sunlight was little…so it produced a slight blur on my photo. I shall learn to shoot waterfall again.
Both of these photos are stunning! I wish I was close enough to join your photography club. I could use many, many pointers!
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