Critique for freeze water

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mac66

Senior Member
Took this pic at my favorite park this morning. I generally shoot around 9:00-9:30AM, but wanted to get the earliest light I could. I think I shot this around 8:00AM. Been playing with freezing water motion. Want a critique on composition, lighting etc.

Thanks,Vince



DSC_1826_9098-KA Fountain-1.jpg
 
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PapaST

Senior Member
I like the waterfall pic for sure. When you say you want to "freeze" it do you mean like capturing each droplet rather than the "mystical foggy flow" look? If so 1/5 of a second isn't going to freeze it. Everything looks a bit soft. The top right seems like it should be cropped out but I do see why it is included with the rock and shimmering top. That's pretty interesting.

I also believe in Leave No Trace (LNT) but I wonder if you could have pulled back the branch covering the waterfall on the left for the shot. I think that would have added nicely to the picture. Overall you have a nice waterfall there.
 
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480sparky

Senior Member
I agree. 1/5 sec is WAY too long to 'freeze' the water.

The softness appears go be a combination of subject and camera movement.
 
Horoscope Fish

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
mac66 said:
Took this pic at my favorite park this morning. I generally shoot around 9:00-9:30AM, but wanted to get the earliest light I could. I think I shot this around 8:00AM. Been playing with freezing water motion. Want a critique on composition, lighting etc.
Click to expand...
Well... The big thing for me is the shot is not in sharp focus. I notice the shutter speed was 1/5s so I have to ask if you were you shooting from a tripod? The shot also looks underexposed to me by about one to one-and-a-half stops.

If you have the opportunity to go back and re-shoot this, I think you have an excellent scene to work with. If it were me, I'd shoot that (on a tripod) at ISO 100 with a shutter speed of nothing less than one full second to get the silky flowing water look and re-frame it because those branches definitely need to go.

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Deleted

Senior Member
You've found a great location there!

Your shot is a little too dark, with too many areas of black with no detail. I think I can also see camera shake, or maybe it was a windy day? If you want to smooth the water to a mist, then a tripod will be essential for the slow shutter speed. I'd go back on a bright day with a tripod & make sure in your landscape that nearby items such as the leaves don't get in the way too much. I can see that you are looking to frame the subject, but the leaves come out too far. If you already use a tripod, look at remote shutter release or maybe use the timer.
 
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mac66

Senior Member
PapaST said:
I like the waterfall pic for sure. When you say you want to "freeze" it do you mean like capturing each droplet rather than the "mystical foggy flow" look? If so 1/5 of a second isn't going to freeze it. Everything looks a bit soft. The top right seems like it should be cropped out but I do see why it is included with the rock and shimmering top. That's pretty interesting.

I also believe in Leave No Trace (LNT) but I wonder if you could have pulled back the branch covering the waterfall on the left for the shot. I think that would have added nicely to the picture. Overall you have a nice waterfall there.
Click to expand...

I wanted the misty look, but have other pictures with 1/4 and less. I tried cropping out the top right, but wanted to include the entire rock. It's really hard to get a good shot of the fountain, due to all the brush. I was damn near in the water, trying to get the shot. On my next trip to the park, will try to get a better view, but it's difficult.
 
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mac66

Senior Member
I have some others at 1/4 and less, I will post. Couldn't find an area to set up the tripod so was handheld. Think I forgot to set the VR also.
 
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mac66

Senior Member
Horoscope Fish said:
Well... The big thing for me is the shot is not in sharp focus. I notice the shutter speed was 1/5s so I have to ask if you were you shooting from a tripod? The shot also looks underexposed to me by about one to one-and-a-half stops.

If you have the opportunity to go back and re-shoot this, I think you have an excellent scene to work with. If it were me, I'd shoot that (on a tripod) at ISO 100 with a shutter speed of nothing less than one full second to get the silky flowing water look and re-frame it because those branches definitely need to go.

....
Click to expand...

I often visit this park, but they haven't trimmed the overgrowth. Difficult to get close enough. I'll keep trying though. As others have said, should have shot at 1/4 or less. Also impossible to setup a tripod there. On the way out, spotted a deer path towards the fountain, and will try again.
 
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mac66

Senior Member
Gorf said:
You've found a great location there!

Your shot is a little too dark, with too many areas of black with no detail. I think I can also see camera shake, or maybe it was a windy day? If you want to smooth the water to a mist, then a tripod will be essential for the slow shutter speed. I'd go back on a bright day with a tripod & make sure in your landscape that nearby items such as the leaves don't get in the way too much. I can see that you are looking to frame the subject, but the leaves come out too far. If you already use a tripod, look at remote shutter release or maybe use the timer.
Click to expand...

It was cloudy early morning shot. Didn't have room for a tripod and forgot to set VR for a hand shot. Impossible to reach the overhanging branches. I shot from a distance, then tried to crop up close to frame it. Not the best, but I'll keep experimenting.
 
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mac66

Senior Member
Weathers, been crappy and dark ever since. Hopefully, this weekend, may get some sunshine. Anxious to take some more shots with the tips you guys provided. I looked over additional images I had that day, at 1/4, but they were about the same...too much stuff in the way, and water flow not to my liking.
 
kevy73

kevy73

Senior Member
If you don't have room for a tripod, use rocks or something else stable to sit your camera on, then use a timer so you don't get any movement from pressing the shutter button. Composition is good, but you could make it heaps more awesomesauce if you eliminated the camera movement.

Nice effort!
 
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mac66

Senior Member
kevy73 said:
If you don't have room for a tripod, use rocks or something else stable to sit your camera on, then use a timer so you don't get any movement from pressing the shutter button. Composition is good, but you could make it heaps more awesomesauce if you eliminated the camera movement.

Nice effort!
Click to expand...

I've got a single pod...(one legged) contraption. Use of that and the VR may give the results. I don't have a timer, guess I should get one. Supposed to be nice this weekend, so will give it a go. ;)
 
Horoscope Fish

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
mac66 said:
I've got a single pod...(one legged) contraption. Use of that and the VR may give the results. I don't have a timer, guess I should get one. Supposed to be nice this weekend, so will give it a go.
Click to expand...
Use your one-legged "contraption" (properly called a "mono-pod" by the way) *OR* use your camera's VR function but do not use both simultaneously.

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mac66

Senior Member
Thanks for the tip, I'll check it out. Just ordered a remote wireless shutter release, but will take a week to get it. On the other hand, will try my MONO-POD, LOL this weekend. ;) Interested to find out the reasons behind not using VR.
 
Vixen

Vixen

Senior Member
Myself, I don't really see that your monopod will help much here as you will still not be able to keep it completely still for the length of time required. I'd think you'd be better, as suggested, to find a rock or similar to rest your camera on. Stick your jacket or something soft under it so you can level it.

If the situation is as difficult as you say maybe find somewhere else? Sometimes you just CANNOT position yourself to get a good shot. :D

Meantime, while you wait for your remote, try using the camera timer
 
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mac66

Senior Member
I checked out the link and gave it a read. Pretty technical, but think I got the gist of it. Seems like the manufacturers are adding VR, so as to appease those that have little knowledge or experience or bad equipment. He goes on to state, some instances where it should be used, but your right-might as well not use it in the majority of situations. (Thought I didn't use VR when I took that pic, but just checked my camera and it was on). Weekend is supposed to be nice and sunny. Planning on another shoot. Will take my tripod, the mono-pod, and do some experimenting, sans the VR. ;)
 
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