Lens on Life · Guide
Drakensberg

Waterfalls and streams

Tugela and Mahai streams, in shade or cloud. Bright sun makes water impossible.

18-150 · 18–70mmPolariser ONHood onTripod
Mode
Tv
Shutter
¼ – 1 second for silk · 1/500 to freeze
ISO
100
Drive
2-second timer
Focus
One-Shot on the rocks beside the water

Do this

  1. Tripod, ISO 100, stabiliser off. Polariser on — it cuts the glare on wet rock and buys you the slower shutter.
  2. Tv mode, shutter ½ second. Look at the result: too bright, the camera can't close the aperture enough — go to ¼, or wait for cloud.
  3. Focus on a rock beside the water, not the water itself.
  4. Vertical for tall falls, horizontal for a stream through the frame. Include a still rock so the moving water has something to move against.
  5. Take one at 1/500 too — frozen water is a different, sometimes better, picture.

If it goes wrong

Water pure white, no texture
Overexposed. Exposure compensation −⅔, shorter shutter, or shade.
Spray on the lens
Wipe, shoot, wipe. Or step back and zoom.