This SIMPLE Technique Helped Me Create BETTER Waterfall Photography

In this new landscape photography video, I share my absolute favorite technique for capturing waterfalls! I also share some technical tips and creative advice. I really hope you enjoy the video!
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[@MichaelShainblum]

Want to see more of the images in high res from this shoot? Check out my article and gallery here! :) www.shainblumphoto.com/2022/12/05/waterfalls-2/

[@kamikazekurt913]

Glad you got to visit the Columbia River Gorge, endless waterfalls. Both Washington and Oregon have so much to offer. Now it's a winter wonderland.

[@philclancaster]

Love the ethereal ghost like, almost monochrome shots, thanks for another great video

[@vonteddunageswararao3201]

Golden light reflection in the water fall long exposure is marvelous.

[@crowtheri]

Looks like you had an amazing time, Michael 👍🏻 I really like how the orange light hits the bottom of the fall stones, and those higher fstop and bumped ISO images. I agree, patience and creativity are key to making those original images were you are using longer focal lengths to get in close for detailed mosses and stone fissures. Falling light almost forced you to be more creative - it’s interesting how we can react when pushed and what results creativity can generate. Keep up the terrific work 👍🏻🙏

[@dfreitas853]

WOW!!!!! Just another outstanding and inspiring vlog! Thank you so much for sharing. Always looking forward to your next one.

[@odarrien]

These images are simply amazing!!! I'm seeing so many figures, ethereal, foreboding, heavenly, ghostly.......Amazing

[@brianmckeever5280]

My favorites are the images at @12:00 and @12:10, ghost falls almost. Good job sir!

[@MichaelShainblum]

Those were definitely my favorite series from the video as well. Thanks so much Brian!

[@RussWeymouthPhotography]

All wonderful images - I am drawn more to the ethereal monochrome images. P.s. A photo book of your favourite images would be awesome sometime in the future.

[@joshkaiser]

So many good images in this video. Well done Michael!

[@mohammad_yazbek]

3:02 Every time you use this Sigma 100-400, you bring wonders out of that lens. The compression effect is breathtaking to a point that these rocks look gigantic in scale relative to the size of a human being! It is an extremely artistic image. Well done Michael!

[@hughwhullphotography6148]

The images with the sunlight streaming across were some of my favorites. The images were "golden". Thanks for sharing your amazing fun.

[@mohammad_yazbek]

8:00 I swear I shed tears when I saw this image! Subhanallah!

[@ThomasParis]

The long lens sure helped but it's the light that made some of these unique for me. Thanks for sharing this with us!

[@dougstevens9973]

Michael - This video really moved me! I have seen a few other photographers post about using longer lenses to pick out parts of waterfalls, but none of those demonstrated /created in me such emotion. You took it to a whole new level! I was really moved by some of those photos and it has really opened my eyes to viewing waterfalls in a much different light. Thank you so much! Doug

[@MichaelShainblum]

Wow, thank you so much for the kind words Doug, I really appreciate it!

[@joesayle2213]

Awesome video ! you must spend a lot of time putting these together amazing work.

[@MichaelShainblum]

Waaaay too much hahaha, thanks so much!

[@robertd.skonbladandersson269]

I’m a big fan of those little ghostly figures!

[@MarkJ1776]

My favorite is 10:06. I really like the spot of light along with the mossy greens.

[@DR-fy7qy]

A unique approach to taking waterfall images, especially with a long lens. Love every one of the displayed close-up shots. The photos are ethereal and otherworldly.

[@MichaelShainblum]

Thanks so much! :)

[@macsprotte1436]

Amazing. As always!

[@MichaelShainblum]

Thanks so much Mac!

[@DarrenJSpoonley]

Man that dappled light was sublime !! Watching it I just wanted to get out with my cam !! Stunning shots Mike

[@MichaelShainblum]

Thanks so much man!

[@pattymattes7124]

I love them all. They are awesome. Thanks for sharing!

[@MichaelShainblum]

Thanks so much Patty!

[@tormodfreidher5702]

All of the pictures are so nice 👍👍

[@MichaelShainblum]

Thank you :)

[@pathogan4854]

The shots with the gold in them are amazing ! but also the backlight haunting 1,s beautiful all round !!

[@emarintzer]

Wow. Some of my all time favorites of yours Michael! I really love the ghostly ones. Just beautiful.

[@KellyPettit]

I can’t choose a favourite. They’re all really so good. Perhaps the one where the waterfall doesn’t look like a waterfall. The rocks are all kind of glowing. Great vlog. Thank you!

[@domhaughton6809]

Tufts of moss shot was amazing. Absolutely fantastic shots Michael. Enjoyed this one very much!

[@joshpenton1792]

Favorite image would have to be the one with the tuffs of moss in the middle. Almost looks like an aerial photo of some big trees on the edge of a giant waterfall. Very very cool

[@seattleboatguy]

A delightful and very educational video. I like your idea of taking the shot of some small part of the falls, rather than an overview of the entire falls. I'll try that next time.

[@ibp2007]

Thank you Michael. 🇫🇷🇫🇷🇫🇷

[@chadbarton378]

Love your videos, they always inspire me. One thing that I would like to see is including the unprocessed photo as well as the finished product. I would also like to know the shutter speed and other data of each photo. I watch to learn and once again I love what you post.

[@Suhailkhan53]

Beautiful pictures, especially the ones where rocks look golden. ❤❤

[@cxdwz4971]

love your photos. I have been shooting for a while, but your photos make me feel the power of image for the first time. Thank you.

[@warrenlloyd7532]

Great video Michael. Some of those images towards the end of the video were crackers!

[@haithamaal]

You went to Ramona Falls! One of my all-time favorites from when I lived in PDX. Stunning photos as usual.

[@OAK_MTN]

The picture at 10:15 has to be my favorite. Reminds me of the shape of red sprites surrounding a small forest. Love how I lose the sense of scale when looking at it.

[@patrickshepherd3262]

Stunning photos of the ephemeral waterfall spirits. Much too difficult to choose a favorite.

[@antonoat]

What a great film with many beautiful images, very difficult to choose a favourite 😀 what a really good lens the 100-400 seems to be, very reasonably priced too! 👏😀👍

[@MichaelShainblum]

Thanks so much!

[@ghostofgw7781]

Amazing!

[@JamesParkerPhotography]

Michael - Thanks for another inspirational video! I live right where you were shooting - Vancouver WA so I'll be toting my 100-400 on my next waterfall photo outing.

[@bhanudevgan5]

WoW Wonderful images

[@MichaelShainblum]

Thank you!

[@danielling792]

Michael we met at Death Valley out of Chicago briefly. Lovely images. I absolutely believe using a long tele to hone in a small section of the waterfall where the flow and rock crevices form interesting abstract images. I think I would simplify the composition further by converting it in black white monochromatic image emphasizing just the texture various gradation of lightness and darkness,and having leading line from the top flowing to the bottom corners as you crop tight to eliminate any distracting elements to create a pure abstract image.

[@bossofthemoss450]

Awesome images and locations. If I had to choose a favourite it would be the golden portrait shot. Soooo good overall and I’m even more envious 👏👏👏😇

[@MichaelShainblum]

Thanks Ian, so glad you enjoyed them!

[@cmichaelhaugh8517]

I particularly like the shots with the gold of the sunset. When I do finally get a 100-400 I’ll have to revisit all the upstate NY waterfalls that I’ve shot with wider lenses.

[@tompetersphotography]

Very inspiring my friend🤙

[@dougstevens9973]

PS - I also appreciate your more calm demeanor - you are never over the top - measured use of terms like "amazing", "fantastic" and other such superlatives while with other vlogs it is almost every other word. I think that says a lot!

[@MichaelShainblum]

Haha thanks, I try my best to just be me. Makes it a little easier to film and then if someone meets me in real life there won't be any surprises. I do find myself using the words incredible, surreal, dreamy, and beautiful a bit much, especially in my Voice Overs. I need to look in a thesaurus and expand my vocabulary a bit.🤣

[@yiannismanzo5018]

As always, I'm amazed by your creativity and the beauty of your images. Each new video is a real pleasure, thank you so much 😊

[@MichaelShainblum]

thank you so much for watching Yiannis!:)

[@karlkoenig1806]

I loved this video! This was one of the best educational videos I have seen on youtube. Because of your video I am planning a trip to Maine just to spend some time shooting waterfalls. Thank you so much!

[@ericguizzetti]

I just found you on Nigel's page. Excited to watch some videos!

[@robertomorgenstern907]

Nice photos. Definitly the ones with the golden rocks.

[@johnbeattyphotos]

Loved your capture of Crab Tree Falls.

[@Metiszorro]

Thanks so much I loved it & it has given me some great ideas! I loved all your photos but I especially loved the one with the green rocks & the golden light, just perfect! I look forward to more of your videos & photos! Hope you're enjoying your day!❤️

[@gerryroncolato8895]

Michael, brilliant images. Your video grants me to freedom to do the artistic closeups of cascades. Well done!

[@timhall1364]

Amazing

[@nicksaunders106]

Michael you have captured some fantastic images, love some of the close up shots. Thank you for sharing !

[@davidbogard4826]

Love the shot with the warm light and the moss in the foreground. Great series. I also try some intimate shots with my 70-200, when I do waterfalls.

[@ericguizzetti]

That first shot could have been epic with a tilt-shift lens as the falls fall off so much with a wide angle with that mellow incline.! I must be insanely naive as I never thought about shooting with a zoom lens into a waterfall!

[@tylaroverturf]

I always struggle getting good photos of waterfalls with my wide angle. This video inspired me to break out my 100-400 next time and use that. I loved all the shots in this video.

[@richardpesce5325]

What a wonderful collection of images! This is probably my favorite of your videos thus far. Thanks for the great work.

[@MichaelShainblum]

I really appreciate that Richard, glad you like these! :)

[@kenharnish5778]

Thanks for the video. I find waterfalls really challenging to photograph. But this video has given me some ideas to attempt. Thanks.

[@askssk715]

I'm glad I stumbled upon your channel. I have been shooting for hobby over 20 years. I always feel like I have to capture a waterfall in whole. The entire scene. I shoot Olympus and I do use a 100-400 lens and never would think to use it like this. I've learned so much in watching just a couple of your videos.

[@yang3300]

amazing photograph，bro 😍😍😍

[@ashittandon9301]

Michael, u need to do a waterfall workshop in this region. Would join you in a heartbeat. Beautiful images. Love how you take us behind the scenes. The only thing I cant get is how you are so calm. Whenever I venture out for landscape photography, I always find myself being hurried to make use of the light :)

[@paulcomptonpdphotography]

Stunning once again a masterclass

[@RobVanElven]

Stunning images and nice to see this creative variety of shots. 💪 Favourite with blue shadows, gold and green but the ghost like shapes at end are fantastic too. Love your work.

[@amanvora242]

It’s great to catch your vlogs always. It’s hard to pick one image from another as I like them all and each tells a unique story which you beautifully narrated. But something had me in the series of images that came at 12:10

[@MichaelShainblum]

Thanks so much, Aman, really glad you enjoyed them all!

[@christophermason7735]

I really enjoyed your video. I struggle with waterfalls and when you used a longer focal length this has given me something to think about.

[@metalmick99]

The pictures were all beautiful, but some transported me to imaginary scenes: @10:15 or so, I felt like I was looking at squat trees clinging to the side of a steep mountain on some fantastic world; some of the images after about 12 minutes made me imagine mutant, ghostly anemones. I found your tips to be so very, very helpful. I'm off to chance my arm at the coast, but after seeing this clip, I'm really hankering for a waterfall...😉

[@muradbichoo]

100-400 always!

[@MichaelShainblum]

Indeed!

[@gregwarson3483]

Beautiful! The early images with the reflected light are great examples of a fleeting moment. A very creative use of the 100-400 lens. Honestly can’t pick a favorite here; thanks for sharing and for the encouragement to be creative.

[@stevearita3267]

Excellent video and your photographs are really beautiful. Your tips are very spot on.

[@venezuela.paulog]

Amazing Video! Inspiring. My favourite photo is the hanging broccoli in the middle of the waterfall. Beautiful focal point with symmetric sides!

[@MichaelShainblum]

Thanks so much, glad you enjoy that one! :)

[@Tpformanphotography]

Another great video Michael. I think my favorite image was the one with the plants in the middle of the frame with the water cascading over them. But they are all pretty amazing. I think I'll be using my 100-400mm lens the next time I am out photographing waterfalls.

[@sloemo4024]

great video and waterfall photography. my favorites by far were the more ethereal last set.

[@theadventuresofprince3875]

Beautiful technique and images. Inspiring me to do more!

[@breitengradnord]

fantastic video as always. love this abstract way of photography!

[@danvieirafotografo]

Hello, Michael! I am Danilo, from Brazil, and I am a photographer too. I must say your work is amazing and I’ve been learning a lot with your tips and techniques. I put them into practice with my students and on my own. Thank you for your videos and articles on your blog.

[@stephaneclaveau9736]

Great video and stunning photos !!

[@MichaelShainblum]

Thanks so much!

[@borissmit7112]

100% my favourite subject! Thanks for the video.

[@MichaelShainblum]

Thank you Boris! :)

[@tammorrison2343]

Brilliant photos

[@54Mizery]

The golden light photos are a stand out for me. Very uncommon and original.👌

[@kenhaley5450]

Beautiful shots and helpful tips. My favourite shot is the one with the moss (almost looking like small trees) in the middle of the fame.

[@MichaelShainblum]

Thanks Ken! :)

[@larrysalaets7088]

Excellent, as always! You should have 1 million subscribers by now, as they are missing out on some of the best imagery available!

Perfect video mate, helped me so much to think and look bit different when shooting waterfalls, thank you🙏 plus your images are awesome🤩

[@genadigenchev9956]

Magnificent, as always ❤

[@annamoon023]

Beautiful images! I like them all. 👏🏻 And glad you had several amazing days of experiencing them!

[@MichaelShainblum]

Thank you Anna!

[@jamshid2010ch]

Wonderful work, great shots. Difficult to name one as my favorite image!

[@iank1638]

Wow amazing video. Best photography video i have watched in ages. Thank you !

[@MichaelShainblum]

Thanks so much Ian, that's really nice of you to say!

[@fototripper]

That shot of 13:59 got me. Lovely and moody.

[@MichaelShainblum]

thanks man, glad you dig it!

[@nicerides9224]

The one you took in Washington with the moss sticking through was great but some of the ones you showed later that were more abstract were on another level. Some reminded me of the space dust cloud shots by Hubble.

[@peterwideman1425]

What an amazing set of images. Fantastic work and honestly I don't think I could pick a favourite. I'm sure there would be some good tryptics to be made out of those.

[@aureliorussellcano8028]

Michael, found your channel through Mads’s video in Ireland. Very happy I did, you guys are super talented. Loving your photography, the 400mm brilliant and clever. Thank you 👌

[@bjmabjma7561]

Amazing photos

[@saeidrostami]

Thanks a lot Michael 🙏🏻 Amazing episodec 👏🏻

[@kamhonpang6035]

Epic! Loving it 🥰

[@janroos7518]

Beautiful! Where you see little aliens, i see mushroom shape trees in a giant waterfall, getting washed over

[@akashdeeppuri4344]

When ever i get confused while taking wide angle shots i tend to switch to my 20mm prime lense in that way i limit myself from that constant zooming in and out and i try to stick to one focal lenght , which indeed helps me to be more creative in the end and most of the time i end up getting that image which i was looking for and in some cases even better. And yeah loved the video.

[@MichaelShainblum]

That's a great idea! Also, a good practice to try on different shoots. I have done that same thing with just bringing a 50mm as well. Thanks!

[@joelrosager2474]

In the photo of the waterfall with the tufts of moss where you say you saw alien creatures, I saw each tuft of moss as a full size oak tree all frozen underneath a huge glacier or some kind of ice... curious what you think? I love your more abstract photography like this and of the building reflections in NYC and especially of the mud cracks and dirt patterns in Death Valley and the badlands!

[@Jglider1]

Hi Michael! I just finished watching this video and all I have to say is - WOW! I have to say I liked every single image you captured in this video. I mean if I had to absolutely split hairs I would say the images where you captured the dappled light on the waterfall were my favorite, but seriously that’s splitting hairs! Truly amazing work as always, love your content. Keep up the great work!

[@MichaelShainblum]

Wow, thank you so much for the kind words!

[@johndonegan8110]

Wow again! I always say to myself 'how the hell does he get those shots' with your videos. You are the master Michael. Your videos inspire me always. Thanks so much