7 Waterfall Photography Techniques And Settings For Beginners

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Waterfalls are one of the best parts about hiking and being in nature.

And personally, having your skin kissed by the cool mist and treating your senses is such a gift.

But, wanting to show everyone what you see and learning how to create images projecting what the world looks like through your eyes can seem daunting.

And trying to understand how to get the smooth effect with your camera can be really frustrating and leave you feeling defeated.

Here is a list of 7 tips for waterfall photography for beginners.

1. Camera

To get crisp images you will need a camera that can function in manual mode.

I’m not gonna lie, switching from auto to manual mode is scary.

But getting a grasp on the appropriate settings is so rewarding.

Set your iso to 100 to start off.

Then, set your shutter between 0.5 second to 2 seconds

Set your aperture (f-stop) between 12 and 16.

If your picture is still too dark, turn your iso up to 200 or 300.

Play around with one setting first, then the others, and keep adjusting until you get the exposure you want.

It will happen, I promise!

2. Tripod

Investing in a tripod that can adequately hold your camera is a must have.

Since your shutter is open and catching all the movement of the water, it’s also catching the movement of your hands and wind.

No matter how still you think you are holding your camera, your photo will almost always be not as crisp as you want.

3. Check the weather

This!!!

Gloomy, dreary, cloudy days, are THE BEST for taking photos of waterfalls.

Why?

The longer your shutter is open, or the longer your camera is taking a picture for, the more light is being let in.

So if you take a picture for 2 seconds with the bright sun out, your picture will be pure white and overexposed.

If you take the same picture around dawn, or before or after after sunset (the golden hours), the composition will be just right.

Remember those days you used to think were too gross to go outside? Think again because they are perfect!

Take advantage of nasty days and don’t let them go to waste!

Bonus, there’s a lot less people that will be there and give you plenty of time to get the shot you want.

4. Absorbent cloth/plastic cover

It may seem silly, but if you go to a waterfall and don’t feel the spray, did you even go?!

Heck no!

But chances are, if you can feel water, your lens is also getting wet, especially if you go on a rainy day.

Bringing a microfiber and/or absorbent cloth or waterproof cover is handy for these situations.

5. Delay shutter button

Another great tip for beginners learning to photograph waterfalls is to delay the shutter on your camera for a few seconds.

This feature can be found in the menu and ensures your camera is completely still and stabilized when you’re ready to click.

6. What Kind Of Lens Is Used To Take Waterfall Photos?

A Wide Angle Lens

Tired of cutting images in half or getting a sloppy looking panorama?

Try using a wide angle lens meant for landscapes. If the waterfall you’re at is tall, then swiveling your camera on your tripod to a vertical angle should do the trick.

Not all wide angles are the same, though. Some can zoom in and out farther than others.

When shopping for one, look at images in the reviews that other people have taken as a reference.

7. Patience

Patience is so important.

Be kind to yourself and allow yourself time to learn.

It takes practice and getting out there and doing the dang thing.

The more you shoot, the better you will understand the relationship between iso, shutter speed, and aperture and how they work together to create beautiful images.

You got this, just give yourself time to learn and understand. Also, let YouTube be your friend!

Mastering waterfall photography takes time, practice, and allowing yourself grace.

Sometimes the scenery and situation is perfect, but the shot may not be what you expected, or it’s better than you hoped for.

And both are ok!

Learning is a process and frankly, manual mode is hard.

The more you get out and practice and learn your camera, the better your pictures will be.

I hope these 7 waterfall photography techniques and settings for beginners gives you direction and some beautiful silky smooth photos!

For more photography tips, check out my other post! Three Tips To Create Stunning Photos For Beginners