Photographs of streams and waterfalls appear often on postcards, calendars and note cards.  Their special effects seem to express a feeling of motion.  You have probably wondered how the photographer captured that feathery texture in the water.

This technique is not difficult to accomplish.  It can be mastered by anyone who has an adaptable camera (one in which you can adjust the shutter speed and aperture) and a tripod.  A shutter release cable is helpful but optional.

The trick is to shoot at a slow shutter speed such as 1/4 second, 1/2 second, or even one full second.  This will have a slight blurring effect on the fast moving water, which will suggest motion in the finished picture.  Use of a tripod or other camera support is mandatory.  It is extremely difficult to hand-hold the camera at such a slow shutter speed without blurring the entire picture.  If a cable release is not available, the camera's built-in self timer may be used to release the shutter.  Either method will insure the camera remains immobile during the long exposure.
 
Adjust the camera's ISO number to the least sensitive setting for this type of photography.  A larger ISO may not result in a slow enough shutter speed.

I prefer to shoot waterfalls on an overcast day or in the shade on a sunny day.  Water reflects much more sunlight than rocks and trees.  In direct sunlight, the reflection on the water may cause undesirable bright spots in the picture.
 
There are many places to go for stream and waterfall pictures.  National parks, wilderness areas and even city parks are a few possibilities.  I try to concentrate on small meandering streams with trees and green moss growing on the rocks.  The greenery and rocks add perspective and help frame the composition.

​Try stream shooting next time you venture out into the woods or stroll through the park.  You may return with some calendar or postcard scenes of your own.

To see more waterfall pictures go to my Waterfall Gallery on Istockphoto.  Signed fine art prints from many of my photographs are available for purchase on Fine Art America.  ​For special offers and to follow my photographic journey please Join My Email List​.​

​Want to create a unique expression of art, one that no one else can re-create?  Try shooting a sunset picture.  A sunset, like the snowflake, is one of natures unrivaled creations.  There are no two alike!  When properly photographed and displayed, each sunset can reveal an exhilarating and incomparable work of art.
 
For equipment, you will need an adaptable camera (one in which you can adjust the shutter speed and the aperture).  Optional equipment might include a tripod and shutter release cable.  Also, a telephoto lens can be used to make the sun appear larger in the picture.

​Fortunately, sunsets are among the easiest pictures to take because exposure is not a critical factor.  I determine my exposure by using the camera to take a meter reading off the brightest part of the sky, excluding the sun.  With this reading as a starting point, I then bracket my settings (over and underexpose by one or two f-stops) to get different effects.  When using a telephoto lens, do not look directly at the sun.  It can harm your eyes.
 
Foreground objects will appear as strong silhouettes, advantageous to the creative photographer.  Trees, boats, rocks and even people can be used as a foreground to frame the picture, creating a strong composition.

​Keep on shooting, even after the sun disappears.  Some of the most subtle coloring in the sky is seen up to on-half hour after the sun has set.  Also, try shooting a sunrise.  Remember, it's just a sunset in reverse and the same rules apply.
 
A great sunset picture doesn't even need to include the sun.  Turn around and see what the sun is lighting behind you.  Mountains and trees take on a special glow when illuminated by the setting sun.
 
Whether it's a trip to the ocean or a hike in the mountains, you can return with a unique work of art if you take the time to view and photograph the disappearing sun, the subjects it illuminates and its delicate expression of color.

To see more sunset pictures go to my Sunset Gallery on Istockphoto.  Signed fine art prints from many of my photographs are available for purchase on Fine Art America.  ​For special offers and to follow my photographic journey please Join My Email List​.​