Section 2 Shooting
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Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.
Water in Motion
Moving water holds a fascination
for most people and poses a challenge to
photographers, who must determine how
best to capture the movement. Possibilities
include sharply focused “stop-motion”
streams and droplets, a strong-textured
flow with some motion blur, and a soft,
almost creamy flow. Each approach gives an
image a different character. The degree of
blurring is controlled by the choice of shutter
speed. See Figure 12-33. Waterfalls lend
themselves to wide shots, both horizontal
and vertical, that convey the scope and power
of the moving water. See Figure 12-34. A
human figure can be included in the scene
to provide a sense of scale, Figure 12-35.
Jack Klasey/Goodheart-Willcox Publisher
Figure 12-32. White snow contrasts with
the vivid red of dried bittersweet berries.
A
C
Jack Klasey/Goodheart-Willcox Publisher
Figure 12-33. Shutter speed changes the appearance of fast-moving water. A—A very slow shutter speed (1/5 second)
blurs the water into a soft, creamy flow. B—At 1/8 second, streaks of flowing water are more well defined, but the overall
effect is still soft. C—The water’s texture is much more sharply defined at 1/100 second. D—At 1/320 second, the water
is “frozen,” and individual drops can be seen. In all four shots, apertures were adjusted to provide equivalent exposures.
B
D