give your images more impact and eliminate unwanted distractions.
Even on a sunny day a polariser can dramatically improve your
photos. Circular polarisers come in a wide variety of brands and
sizes for different lenses and they allow you to “dial”, or turn, the
filter intensity for the best effect. Some popular brands include
Hoya, B+W, Tiffen, Lee and Cokin.04
Use a tripod
A sturdy tripod is an essential piece of equipment every
landscape photographer should have in their kit. It’s important you
use a tripod in the rainforest because it’s often dark beneath the
canopy. When you’re shooting at small apertures (f/11 to f/16) and
thus requiring slower shutter speeds, handholding your camera
isn’t always an option. By using a tripod you’ll be able to increase
your exposure time while still capturing a sharply focused image
from the foreground through to the background. Trying to capture
steady shots handheld with small apertures in low light is almost
impossible unless you’ve got really steady hands or you can brace
the camera against something solid. For this reason I always carrya sturdy tripod, especially for when the wind picks up and I’m
trying to take long exposures. Ideally, you don’t want your camera
to end up on the ground or in a river!05
Shooting waterfalls & rivers
Water is the heart and soul of all rainforests and it
gives photographers incredible opportunities for creating
beautiful images. Standing amongst the forest with the tranquil
sound of water gently f lowing past is one of those timeless
moments every nature photographer cherishes, so why not
capture its serenity? Waterfalls and rivers can be tricky to shoot
because water is another element to contend with in trying to get
a dynamic shot. Observe your surrounds. Where’s the light
falling? What foreground subjects grab you? How fast is the water
moving? These are all factors to consider when you’re shooting
moving water. For the best results, rather than dealing with
direct sunlight, plan to shoot on an overcast day where the light
is diffused. A polarising filter will also help cut down the glare
on the water and saturate the foliage to bring out those rich