My Storm Behind This Image
The autumn colors in the Pacific Northwest can at times be fleeting and even missed if you blink. And some years the colors don’t even really pop, so you have to be patient and visit a location many times over a lifetime to get what you’re after.
And one of those special locations for me is Multnomah Falls, just outside of Portland, Oregon. Even though it's an extremely popular waterfall, it’s a place I ALWAYS visit when I'm in Oregon, as it's one of the most picturesque falls in all the country, if not the world. And in this scene, it showcases its beauty among the autumn colors.
My Techniques and Tips With Waterfalls and Long Exposures
The Best Times for Waterfall Photography
Waterfalls can be photographed at any time, but certain lighting conditions can significantly enhance your images. The golden hour—just after sunrise or before sunset—is the best time to capture them with the most drama.
However, not all waterfalls are created equal. As in this case with Multnomah Falls, I perfer an overcast day, which provides the best conditions since clouds act as a natural diffuser, softening harsh shadows and creating even lighting across the entire scene. So, don't get discouraged if you're visiting this beautiful location with a layer of clouds overhead, because most days in the Pacific Northwest is overcast.
Selecting the Right Gear
While high-end gear can enhance your shots, it is not always necessary for capturing a stunning waterfall image. With today's technology, along with the fact that the used market is flooded with many wonderful DSLR cameras that beginners to professionals can get at the fraction of the cost of the more expensive mirrorless sytems. I currently use a Canon r5, but this image was captured with my Canon 5DMIV, which can easily be purchased now on the used market. The number one most essential equipment for waterfall photography is a sturdy tripod.
A tripod stabilizes your camera, enabling longer exposures without introducing unwanted motion blur.
Camera Settings for Waterfall Photography
Mastering your camera settings is vital for capturing the dynamic flow of water. Here are the key settings to consider:
ISO: Keep your ISO as low as possible to minimize noise in nature photography, where details are crucial. Each camera as a native ISO that produces the cleanest files.
Aperture: Use an aperture somewhere between f/8 to f/16 for better depth of field. This helps keep both the waterfall and its surroundings crisp and in focus. This will ultamately be determined with your scene, but just like ISO, each lens has a sweet spot for it's f/stop. Giving you the best combination of depth and clarity in your image. Find out what that is for your camera and try to stick around that f/stop.
Shutter Speed: This is the most important setting in my mind and where your creativity comes into play. I normally ALWAY gravitate to long exposure (1/2 sec to 30 secs) with any moving water. It helps give the water a silky, flowing softness within the image. This is not always the case, as sometimes you want to freeze the water, but that is not normally what I do with waterfalls.
Manual Mode: And to make sure you can find and use the perfect setting, always use manual mode.
Perfecting Long Exposures
Like I described above, I find long exposures are essential for beautiful waterfall photography. Here are a few tips:
Plan Your Shot: Take time to scout your composition. Ensure a clear view of the waterfall and remove distracting elements. Spending a little extra time to find a good vantage point will improve your results. When I visit Multnomah Falls (which is about once or twice a year), I always go to 3-4 places I know are good. But, overtime I try and find new locations that I haven't photographed from before.
Use a Neutral Density (ND) or Polarizing Filter: These filters help reduces light entering your lens, allowing for extended exposure times even in bright conditions. I use Breakthrough Photography Filters (3-stop and 6-stop polarizing and 10-stop ND).
Test Different Shutter Speeds: Begin with a shutter speed around 1/2 to 1 second and increase it gradually and then determine what you think looks best. If I have a filter on my lens, then sometimes I can get my shutter speed to 10 or even 30 seconds in the middle of the day.
Shutter Release - Timer Function: To avoid camera shake, I used to use a remote shutter release, but now I use my camera’s 2-second timer function. That way I'm not fumbling around with another thing when capturing long exposures and it lets me keep my hands off my camera when the image is being captured.
Composition Techniques for Eye-Catching Waterfall Images
With your settings and equipment in place, you can focus on composition. Here are tips that might help you create better imagery:
Lead with Water: Use the natural flow of the water as a leading line into your frame, adding depth and emphasizing movement.
Include Foreground Elements: Add rocks, trees, or plants in the foreground to give context and scale to the waterfall.
Incorporate the Sky: Including a bit of sky in your shots provides context and prevents your composition from feeling congested.
Vary Your Angles: Don’t limit yourself to eye-level shots. Experiment with low angles to highlight the waterfall’s height or high angles for broader landscape views.
Final Thoughts
With the right knowledge of camera settings, long exposures, and composition techniques, you can greatly enhance your waterfall photography.
Remember, each outing is a chance to learn and improve as a photographer. So gather your gear, visit your favorite waterfall, and discover the amazing photographs waiting for you.
Oregon Photography Workshop Adventure
Interested in visiting Multnomah Falls on a photography adaventure to see and photograph this amazing place? Consider joining my upcoming Oregon Photography Workshop Adventure. Click the link below for more details.
Purchase A Print of Multnomah Falls Autumn
If you're interested in the image above, CLICK THE LINK BELOW to purchase a print. Limited Edition, Museum Grade Acrylic Prints are also available. If you don't see this particular scene in that portfolio on my website, email me and I'll open up this series for you.
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