Backpacker

BACKPACKER.COM 35Find the spot.Eddies occur everywhere,but you’ll find the mostdistinct swirls in pools belowcascades and rapids wherethe water is moving slowlyand has plenty of room tocircle back on itself.Dim the lights.You’ll need low light to pulloff a long exposure withoutblowing out the highlights.Shoot early or late, seek outshady north-facing falls, ortarget overcast days, whichprovide more even light. (Aswith any long-exposureshot, use a tripod.)``````Compose your image.Set up the shot with adiagonal line between yourleaf eddy and the falls orrapids. Try getting low nearthe water to emphasize theeddy and make the falls feeldistant. Experiment withletting the water features fillthe frame or shooting just theswirl. Use leading lines likelogs, steep banks, and runnelsof water to draw the eyedeeper into the photo.``````Check your settings.For the best sharpness,choose ISO 100 and keep theentire scene in focus witha small enough aperture(usually f11 or f16).``````Gauge the water flow.The slower the current, thelonger the shutter speed youneed to blur the leaves andwater. It could be anywherefrom a few seconds to acouple of minutes, dependingon the flow. Take a test shotwith a 5-second exposure andadjust accordingly.LeafSwirlsCreate a spin cycle that popswith color. BY ASSISTANT PHOTOEDITOR LOUISA ALBANESESPOTMIZE MILL FALLS, SIPSEY WILDERNESS, ALWant to hike here? See page 14.SPECSF/16, 277 SEC, ISO 100,29MM FOCAL LENGTH,CPL AND ND FILTERS``````YI WANG & GUOHAI JIN``````If the sun won’t playnice, try using a neutral-density filter ($50 to$150), which cuts thelight like a pair ofsunglasses, or a circularpolarizing filter ($50 to$150), which reducessurface reflections.``````GearTipphoto school