Can anyone direct me to a good source of information on photographing moving objects such as water falls...I remember seeing some type of formulas that show at x distance, at y speed of object, using f focal lenght, etc. I was interested in knowing, without shooting polaroids, at what speed a water fall will show "stop action", at what speeds it will show a creamy look, etc. I purchased a book called "How to photograhp water", by Heather Angel, makes sense, right? The book did not even mention this subject! Thats photography for ya! God bless the internet and these forums. Any input would much appreciated. Thanx

-- Bill Glickman (bglick@pclv.com), February 17, 2000

Answers

Short shutter speeds arrest action. Longer shutter speeds show more of the shape of the action. Try a 1 second or longer shutter speed for the "milky" look. 1/2 to 1/125 for the " triple cream" lok. 1/125 and shorter for the "Dairy Queen" look.

Shoot Polaroids to avoid the "cheesy 'How-did-I-screw-up-this-once-in- a-life-time-opportunity-up?'" look.

-- Ellis Vener (evphoto@insync.net), February 18, 2000.

Bill: I shoot a lot of small waterfalls and moving water and have found that 1/10 or 1/15th gives the most realistic look. I also love the look longer shutter speeds give on some of the small falls or rapids, as Ellis said, shoot at 1 sec. or so for this effect. For some beautiful shots of rapids and small waterfalls, shoot at twilight and give two minutes or so with the lens stopped down. The long exposure blends the water motion with the light and turns everything to a silver stream. Bracket exposure because the effect is hard to meter. Good shooting. Doug

-- Doug Paramore (dougmary@alanet.com), February 18, 2000.