Smooth Water - DPChallenge Forums

Fisher Price Kid-Tough Digital

02/13/2009 08:53:26 PM · #1

I'm impressed with water/landscape photos that have that glasslike or really smooth look to bodies of water in them. Not waterfalls. Bays, ponds, lakes, rivers, etc.

Since I live along a river I am interested in achieving the same effect. I'd appreciate any insight as to how to achieve the effect. Most of what I shot to date still has too much detail in the water, which to my mind ruins the shot.

My current assumption is that daylight shots you'd have to use a low ISO (100 or less), f22 or higher in order to get the shutter speed slow enough. But, I still wonder if that's enough.

What am I missing here?

Message edited by author 2009-02-13 20:56:24.

Bugzeye

02/13/2009 09:02:46 PM · #2

yes you need a longer than normal exposure in daylight to get that effect so you may want to use a ND filter or even stack a couple of them together. eta: and a tripod would be helpful.

Message edited by author 2009-02-13 21:03:13.

Sony 24-70mm F4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

02/13/2009 09:12:51 PM · #3

I've had a neutral density filter on the shopping list for way too long. But, I've always thought they were all graduated filters. I'm guessing now they make them solid as well? So on a bright day when you can't get the shutter speed down slow enough with a high f stop you add filters till you can?

Bear_Music

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

02/13/2009 09:28:28 PM · #4

Originally posted by Yandrosxx:

Yeah, the standard ND filter is not graduated; the variable-density ones are the specialty items. And yes, you just use denser and denser filters until you get a shutter speed that works.

R.

Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC HSM for Nikon

02/13/2009 09:33:59 PM · #5

Thanks. Ill look up Filter posts and see what people are using.

jdannels

Nikon D300s

02/13/2009 09:43:15 PM · #6

Originally posted by Yandrosxx:

Most of what I shot to date still has too much detail in the water, which to my mind ruins the shot.

My current assumption is that daylight shots you'd have to use a low ISO (100 or less), f22 or higher in order to get the shutter speed slow enough. But, I still wonder if that's enough.

What am I missing here?

When you say there is too much detail in the water, are you referring to what is under the water and not the reflection of the sky? If this is the case you want a circular polarizer which will allow you to add or remove reflections in the water. If you post an example of what you are looking for it may help also. An ND filter will help you get a longer exposure but not get more reflections.

hahn23

Canon EOS-5D Mark IV

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS II USM Lens

02/13/2009 09:55:15 PM · #7

No wind. It's the air movement across water which rips a lake. Not sure I understand the question. If one is looking for silk effect on flowing water, the secret is to set camera parameter to properly expose with 0.5 to 1.5s shutter speed. I often use a circular polarizer to make this work. But, for other water, there's nothing better than still air to facilitate a glass surface. Usually in the moments prior to dawn where I live.