OPG LIVE: February 2020

Customer Service February 6th, 2020

Hi Irwin!

Greetings,
Ian is not available at this time. That said when shooting moving water you will get the most control by shooting in manual. Typically you are looking to create the right amount of motion blur as a key element of the image. I recommend to start off by determining the relative sharpness in the scene. If you want everything sharp select a high aperture over f8.
When your camera meters that scene it will give you an indication of a shutter speed, try a test shot. If the blur looks good try a few lighter and darker versions to insure you get it right. If the blur is not enough, decrease you shutter, and if needed increase your ISO to compensate to get the right exposure and the right amount of blur.
If the blur is too much increase the shutter speed and the ISO and test that combination.
These types of images require you manipulating the classic exposure triangle to get exactly what you need, basically if you decrease one of the exposure components you have increase another component. For more information:
https://www.outdoorphotographyguide.com/video/exposure-triangle-basics-016036/
Keep in mind that moving water images are often very contrasty with the moving water being a creamy white and the rocks often black or very dark. It is quite common to apply some post production computer adjustments to the files to make them look their best. Often it is either decreasing the highlights (putting tone into the water) and/or pulling back some of the black fro the rocks. Any of the standard image editing software have these basic capabilities.
These are the kind of subjects that certainly will improve if you are shooting RAW files as opposed to jpgs.
As always put your central focus on the element of the image is most important to you and where you want to have the viewers direct their eyes. If you are unsure you can try different areas of the image and review them to pick the one you like best.
Happy Shooting!
Steve

Irwin Partridge February 6th, 2020

When you take your water fall shots what shooting mode do you use on your camera and where do you set your focus for the shot.

Customer Service February 6th, 2020

Hi Irwin!

Greetings,
Ian is not available at this time. That said when shooting moving water you will get the most control by shooting in manual. Typically you are looking to create the right amount of motion blur as a key element of the image. I recommend to start off by determining the relative sharpness in the scene. If you want everything sharp select a high aperture over f8.
When your camera meters that scene it will give you an indication of a shutter speed, try a test shot. If the blur looks good try a few lighter and darker versions to insure you get it right. If the blur is not enough, decrease you shutter, and if needed increase your ISO to compensate to get the right exposure and the right amount of blur.
If the blur is too much increase the shutter speed and the ISO and test that combination.
These types of images require you manipulating the classic exposure triangle to get exactly what you need, basically if you decrease one of the exposure components you have increase another component. For more information:
https://www.outdoorphotographyguide.com/video/exposure-triangle-basics-016036/
Keep in mind that moving water images are often very contrasty with the moving water being a creamy white and the rocks often black or very dark. It is quite common to apply some post production computer adjustments to the files to make them look their best. Often it is either decreasing the highlights (putting tone into the water) and/or pulling back some of the black fro the rocks. Any of the standard image editing software have these basic capabilities.
These are the kind of subjects that certainly will improve if you are shooting RAW files as opposed to jpgs.
As always put your central focus on the element of the image is most important to you and where you want to have the viewers direct their eyes. If you are unsure you can try different areas of the image and review them to pick the one you like best.
Happy Shooting!
Steve