Waterfalls

Water always plays a major role in landscape photography, be it through crashing waves, dramatic clouds, rushing streams etc. But it never quite comes together as well as with waterfalls that create beautiful shapes often contrasting with the surrounding rocks and vegetation. Yet, waterfalls are not that easy to photograph – the composition is important of course, but a crucial factor is also the exposure time – it should be long enough to reflect the many water movements and structure of the waterfall but not too long as to transform the fall into a milky white blob. In practice I very often adjust the exposure time anywhere between 1/3s and 1s depending on the waterfall itself. Be especially careful not to overexpose in day time particularly when the sun is out.

My favourite waterfall so far? Without hesitation: Hopetoun falls in Australia, a short hop away from the Great Ocean Road in Victoria. It is a picture perfect waterfall encased in a beautiful environment – tall cliffs, giant ferns, beautiful rocks – a must-see down under!

Tips: use a neutral density (ND) filter to increase the exposure time, a polariser to remove distracting reflections, and prefer an overcast sky to a sunny one.