The Art of Water
One of the inspirations for photography is simply getting out and exploring cool places and then finding the treasures. Sometimes the treasures are obvious and well mapped like those iconic attractions in the national parks. Sometimes the treasures are hidden and you have to hunt around to find them. Sometimes the treasures are right in front of you but are a “diamond in the rough.” These diamonds only need to be cut and polished with the right lighting and camera settings to bring out the beauty in the gem.
These treasures come in many forms. One form I really enjoy capturing is water. The options are endless; moving water, still water, bodies of water, drops of water, even frozen water. The challenge is to find ways to make the water into art.
I could spend hours moving along a river, listening to the water flow over the rocks, searching for the right spot. Once finding that spot, working to compose the right balance between the rocks or fallen trees and the water. The next goal is to select the right shutter speed to effectively capture the desired effect of the moving water. A one-second shutter speed can give the nice silky effect which can be tough on a sunny day…shade certainly helps!
On a calm day, a lake or slow moving part of a river can be an endless opportunity for water art. Half the fun is seeking out those less-than-obvious treasures. I will have to say I have sat and pondered shots with my head cocked like the dog watching television contemplating how the image can be captured.
…and sometimes it’s just obvious!
The water may be the focus of the picture or may just be an accessory that adds a different dimension in both it’s liquid and frozen form.
Sometimes the water is not so obvious in the image but plays an important role in making the image come alive.
Sometimes it’s just sitting back and appreciating the power of nature and realizing that water is the sculptor that creates those places that just make you happy.
One rule I follow is to capture the image as I found it. I certainly make adjustments to the shutter speed, f-stop, ISO and focal length but part of the fun is finding the art in nature.
In any case, much of the fun is the adventure and simply being out exploring the world around us. I highly suggest it!! 🙂
Here’s a few links to some photography tips that I used in taking these pics:
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