Struggles with forest stream shots...

Struggles with forest stream shots... · Posted by Javaslinger, 11-04-2009, 09:01 PM

Some of my favorite hikes are stream/creek hikes, but I rarely manage to get any good pics out of them. I have difficultly composing them and often the light leaves me a very 'green' photo...

Here are some from a recent (GORGEOUS) hike... again, I struggled to take anything home too memorable, but here are the highlights.

I would love advice on how to take better 'in forest' stream shots....

Thanks!

Ken

*Ash* · 11-04-2009, 10:12 PM

Ken, you haven't done badly from what you've shown. You seemed to have gotten the knack of the dreamy waterfall look by the end of the series.

Just keep at it taking different perspectives of your scenes and you'll find yourself just getting the hang of it with time.

Javaslinger · 11-05-2009, 07:39 PM

Thanks for the advice... I guess it can be hard to get the right composition as often you're limited to where you can shoot from. Often the trail doesn't provide the best perspective....

*er1kksen* · 11-06-2009, 03:45 AM

I really like the last one, for what it's worth. Something special, as compared to the rest.

JMR · 11-06-2009, 05:06 AM

Yes, I really like the last image also. There is no right or wrong; for you it is a matter of photographing what interests or please you and arranging it in the picture space with good visual design. The other images are not bad also, but the last has the creek or river leading the eye through the entire picture space.

Big G · 11-06-2009, 05:58 AM

These are all good efforts, don't be too disheartned.

I find these sorts of shots difficult, because one is trying to photograph the stream and also frame it nicely with surrounding trees / leaves / bushes. The examples above have disorganised and distracting branches/trees in the frame, so you may have to write off this location - a pro would struggle here given the surroundings! A slightly longer exposure might benefit here too.

My other piece of advice here is if you have distracting/messy surroundings, you could focus almost the whole frame on the water, perhaps with a rock with leaves on it, nicely composed, a similar idea to this:

Lodore Falls Close Up on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

audiobomber · 11-06-2009, 06:09 AM

You don't need much advice, these are lovely. I like them all except for the mossy rock.

If you don't have one, consider getting a CPL. Even in lighting where polarizing doesn't matter, it can act as an ND filter and take out ~2 stops of light for the milky water look.

If you should add another lens, consider getting a 10-17mm fisheye for a whole new perspective on the stream.

*dadipentak* · 11-06-2009, 06:51 AM

These are pretty good but I'm a stream-lover too and understand your frustration. I was out earlier this week trying to shoot a little trib (tripod & all) and was really disappointed with the results. I think I may want to try getting lower and closer. I'm not a fan of the smooth slow-shutter look btw and that only makes matters worse when trying to capture the spirit of these lovely shaded brooks.

IowaBoy · 11-06-2009, 10:37 AM

Obviously lots of us struggle with these type of pictures. I know I do and the terrain provides lots of opportunities and few winners.

These are surrounded by wild growing brush and are not uncluttered mountain streams. That said I thought 5 was the best because the subject was more the pile of leaves and the creek was back round.

So isolate subjects and try to capture the light & atmosphere of being there - not just document the view.

But you notice I'm not posting any of my masterful examples

*dadipentak* · 11-06-2009, 10:54 AM

Originally Posted by IowaBoy

But you notice I'm not posting any of my masterful examples

Yeah--me neither.

*afroed* · 11-06-2009, 04:16 PM

Those are great mate. I don't see any struggle here. I was expecting something like a photographer fighting a bear by the stream or something.

mwcfire · 11-08-2009, 06:43 PM

I've been experimenting with this technique too, what F stop and Shutter speed did you use in the last one?

code4code5 · 11-08-2009, 08:35 PM

Originally Posted by dadipentak

I think I may want to try getting lower and closer.

I found myself thinking the same think with the first image... All in all, I think they're very well done.

axl · 11-09-2009, 02:57 AM

I really like the framing on the 1st just shame there wasn't longer shutterspeed/multiple exposure used. And I'd play with the colors and contrast a bit more...

but nice series

BR
peter

Taff · 11-09-2009, 05:11 AM

Put on some Wellies and wading we go, find a point of interest for the foreground, shoot wide and your images WILL improve, keep it up practice makes perfecter