It started out overcast one morning, so this would be the perfect opportunity to head up to Hillsborough River State Park in Tampa, Florida and shoot the rapids. Now, Florida is about as flat as it gets, so I wasn't really expecting to see anything all that spectacular. Since I have been up to the Oregon Coast and saw some of the most amazing waterfalls and rapids, I knew the grey skies would be perfect.
Hillsborough River State Park is about as old-time Florida as I have ever seen, for it was thick, swampy and dark on the trails as I have seen to date. The Palms, Oaks, Cypress' and Pines tower above the landscape, and the star attraction, the Hillsborough River, runs right through the middle of the park.
In one portion of the river, the water rushes over some rocks, and the tallest rapids was about six inches high (yes, you read that right). In any case, getting in the water and down low provided some very unique and compelling compositions. The techniques to capture moving water is simple... First, you need an overcast day, which will give you slower shutter speeds, as well as avoid the deep contrasts and blown highlights.
Next, you need to set your gear up, which in this case includes a 2 or 3 stop Neutral Density filter, and a Circular Polarizer as well. The ND filter is used to allow for slower shutter speeds, since depending on which filter stop you have, it will cut your light in either 2 or 3 stops. The Polarizer is also handy, since it too will reduce the amount of light (resulting in slower shutter speeds), but also intensify any green colors, as well eliminate any reflections on the water itself (just as if you were wearing polarized sunglasses).
For the final items, a tripod is a MUST, for there is no way you can handhold your camera at the required shutter speed to capture the water as if flows over the rocks. Also, another good item is a remote release cable, and a bubble level to keep those horizons straight.
After everything is ready, now all you need to do is concentrate on composition, and the best ones are with your wide angle lens, ISO set at 100, and your aperture set at f/22, move around the area, get low, and look through your viewfinder to seek out that award-winning shot. Rule of thirds apply here, so keep that in mind as you work your area. Also, low perspectives are the best, since you bring the action right into the viewer, almost if they are standing right there with you.
Once you get into the groove, all that is left is to vary your shutter speeds to see what results you capture, for each shot will result in a totally different look and feel, and overall, is a great way to spend an overcast day out in nature, and have fun doing it!
(Click on the thumbnails for a larger photo)
Robert La Follette
www.robertlafollette.com
