Photographing waterfalls and forests - and the case for Circular Polarizers

[@johnprisk]

How spectacular were those greens! I'm color blind and oft have difficulty seeing those colors, but these were so saturated, and so vibrant I could clearly identify them; they told the entire story of the nature of the environment. Absolutely stunning.

[@russellschundler6559]

Love the saturated greens on the rocks and trees. Fog, rain, and even cloudy days offer something new to normal everyday compositions.

[@jasondenver4765]

You're videos are really helpful. I've been home sick today and found your channel. Totally veging out on it. Your easy to understand, have a lot of content I'm interested in, and it's inspiring me. Thanks for this great resource

[@markmuller3086]

Thanks Nick. It is inspirational to see you get out in the rain and work hard to find perspectives you like. You were rewarded with some great shots. I like the horizontal stream the best.

[@robhansen8964]

Love the slow steady energy Mother nature provides us with .

[@stevenstrauch2341]

Thanks for being so real as if I was talking to you on the shoot. I'm a 'lansdscape' guy and love your teaching style and realistic approach to what works and what flops. Look forward to more. Would be awesome to meet and shoot. Blessings.

[@scottdavies6161]

Nick i've just gotten back into Photography after a long break (having kids and no time) and have been watching your you tube videos and loving them, I traveled around Oregon a little, many years ago and its just so beautiful. thanks again and keep these unreal videos coming as they have helped my progress back into the digital world of photography and processing. keeping it simple but real. cheers mate (Australia)

[@deanbenninger]

So Glad to Meet you here Nick!!! To Experience your Travels & Hikes... Just watched Your Vids on Astrophotography, which was awesome & very Helpful! Just getting into Photography this past couple months with my New (used) Nikon D7000, with goal of Time Lapse, Wildlife, Outdoors Hiking Pictures and maybe Video in near Future... Was in Oregon for a Month Back in 1991, Sailboarding with my Cousin Dale, who now Lives in BC as Chiropractor & can't wait to Travel & maybe move out there in the Future... Cheers, Dean in Ohio

[@robhansen8964]

Love damp waterfall shoots . I really like Silver falls State Park. : ) Thank You Nick

[@leslielanderkin8301]

Greatly enjoyed the video and your helpful tips. I too love being out in the woods when no one else is around. It's glorious. Thank you. Leslie

[@williamdesevo2089]

Nick you are a great teacher. This was thoughtfully explained and the photographs turned out really well. I follow a bunch of people like yourself and I find your videos and explanations to be top notch.

[@NickPage]

Thank you William!

[@SmokinNWBBQ]

The first 3 minutes, the struggles of a landscape photographer. Awesome video Nick. Keep it up.

[@hindator]

Great story, Nick. Again. I love weather like this - no crowds, just me and silence...

[@irenemanchook1762]

Like your sensible tips, Nick. A very general rule of thumb for me is 1/4 second for waterfalls. I thank you for reminding me about the polarizer. And it is true, when you venture out in less than ideal weather, you have the location all to yourself.

[@Brenda-xc7sq]

Beautiful shots and good advice and information. I agree with you about the downstream views being good, initially they looked messy but you made them gorgeous.

[@christopher4644]

So glad I found you Nick! Totally inspirational. I live in Portland and so much of what you photograph is really in my backyard. I have spent the better part of 3 years working on acquiring good gear. Now It's time to really focus on technique. I'm actually attending my first workshop in the Palouse in a couple months (sorry Nick, another photographer) and I am really looking forward to the 1-on-1 instruction. I'll be watching for your upcoming workshops and will be signing up! Thanks again for the awesome vids!!

[@rasicaphoto6450]

Great video Nick! The cloudy dark weather is best for taking pictures such types of waterfalls.

[@livingreality5071]

You sir, are a photographer! Awesome dedication to the craft... Thx for the vid!

[@RickMitchell-Invictus]

Great video, love all the information

[@karlthefirst8690]

Counting clicks! Oh my god can’t believe I never thought of that, amazing! Thanks Nick- even your back catalogue is paying dividends for me.

[@candicewatson3927]

As much as I am a waterfall nut, I loved the shot down stream. I know the weather sucked.. but man, it makes for some great atmosphere. Loved how you showed what you went through to get the shots, and not gave up. Hope to see more like this!

[@Smi77y1]

I just spent yesterday learning more about polarizers as I bought a square 150mm one and didn't even know I had to turn it for full effect... Anyways, thanks for that image of with or without polarizer. So excited to use mine more. I too LOVE the effect of polarizers. Also, thanks for the tip on getting your shutter speed faster without guessing. I was aware of it, but it's a good reminder instead of just firing shots willy nilly.

[@dmcd6769]

Great video Nick! Beautiful location and equally beautiful photo's . . . thanks for sharing

[@davidmoody2797]

Becoming my favourite youtuber. Love your laid back style

[@dankuettel5063]

Looks like my back yard. So many times Ive been in the same predicament of climbing a stream then looking back and thinking, oh man, how do I get down now? Great shots Nick.

[@louischoron1127]

Just shows that the effort was worth it! Love your videos...keep them coming! Especially tutorials!

[@stephanierobinson3731]

Marshmallow water! That's the perfect description for it! 😂

[@chrissnyder4439]

Great time for a CPL and a great time for a lens hood... What you need to get is a collapsible lens hood. It screws right on to your filter so you get the same protection, but you can rotate it along with the CPL

[@allandavies1187]

Hello Nick, WoW! Such a miserable day but with your skillset, you came away with amazing images. Here's hoping one day I can achieve what you did there...

[@janm2473]

Stunning compositions, Nick. And I appreciate the explanations you give.. I'm new to photography.

[@calebschmitt104]

Man... I don’t understand how you get your greens so perfect. Great shots and video as always!

[@WhitefirePL]

Beautiful. And great advice. Nothing more to say.

[@NicholasEJones]

Juststunning shots Nick, love that green moss and water shot, great vlog

[@lookylookie]

Great information on techniques. Thanks for explaining how to get rid of the blurry branches on long exposures. Have you a tutorial on the blending process by any chance? Many thanks again

[@salmanshami]

Nice pics and good advice. It's so easy for people to get carried away with making water look like milk.

[@wilfriedklein1467]

Thx for your explain and spot sharing 👌👌👌 pretty amazing channel

[@Janet_Airlines802]

Nick you should make a mount on your tripod to hold a umbrella. With how wet it is in the PNW it would be well used.

[@wilfordphotography394]

Great advice and tips.

[@CraigskinnerphotographyUk]

What a beautiful part of the US you live in. Very envious! Great vlog, loved how the tranquility and atmosphere of that forest came across.

[@lehigomez8044]

Perfect on the counting I never thought of that! Thanks for the great idea!

[@melvinshuster]

Great video Nick...amazing images...thanks for the tips.

[@Microcell2]

Awesome video Nick! I've watched many of your posts in preparation for my first trip to Olympic National Park this fall (a bucket list trip for sure). Any suggestions (from anyone) on what trails I should hit?

[@philk9227]

Great video Nick and some stellar images. Subscribed! Keep up the good work!

[@CWReace]

+1 on the shutter speed thoughts. I *usually* like water to still be identifiable as water, unless purposely trying to do something more abstract.

[@smirz1234]

one of my favorites that youve done

[@sarahhuggins7217]

Your subscribers appreciate your efforts on this one...good job

[@jimwlouavl]

Amazing scene. Thanks.

[@tomhornsby2679]

Nick, have you thought about doing a black and white image with the fresh snow and the fresh burnt forests? It could make for a lovely contrast! Keep up the great work.

[@markboweringphotography4408]

Wow some lovely shots there.

[@JoshBenBernales]

Awesome video dude, I can't get over how LUSH everything is over there and it's winter! Polarizer for the win.

[@MrCochise71]

That could not be easy filming and hiking through that at same time! Great video.

[@NickPage]

lol nope it wasn't

[@davidroberts5535]

Hey Nick, another good one. Great images!

[@chriseyrewalker]

Nice shots Nick. And super useful tips!

[@X_explorer]

Great video!

[@jeff_freestone]

Beautiful images.

[@oddbjrnaustevikfoto]

Very nice video and images mate! Appreciate the effort of making this. Now, the need to acquire a polarizer has increased!

[@robroyig-robroyphotography9225]

Awesome vid Nick! Where is that? I live in Vancouver, WA., and I my fav for shooting is the waterfalls and moss of Or, and Wa. Love the tip on the shutter speed. I fall into that thinking of wanting to do multiple sec's for the milky look, but the .5 sec looks really nice. Keep up the good work!

[@Tarjiman22]

awesome video as always

[@paulbell9957]

Gorgeous images mate 👍👍

[@kathleenhart707]

Great tips, gorgeous photos, location reminds me so much of New Zealand 🇳🇿❤️

[@apoc748]

Great video and great channel!

[@brettharris626]

Beautifull location Nick.

[@PatriciaDavidsonPhotography]

Oh I miss PNW waterfalls. I agree with using CP filters. Thanks for bringing us along Nick! 😉

[@paulhowardvideos]

At 9:11 it looks like you're under exposing by almost 3 stops. Can you explain why you under exposed by so much? I don't believe you were bracketing at this point but I could be wrong. Thanks for the informative video. Beautiful location.

[@NickPage]

because i was exposing for the highlights in the water,(you dont want to overexpose those... I never care what my meter says.

[@MrRooster1968]

Great. Ideas thank you again mate

[@tompetersphotography]

Cp filter is my absolute best friend lol, lovely shots again nick!

[@jettubby17]

Nick of you were to buy a new tripod and ballhead today what would you get? The RRS you have linked, link doesn't work.

[@TimberGeek]

I had a thought, have you ever tried a screw on the filter thread style lens hood for situations like that?

[@helenagustavsson5633]

Thanks for so good instruktions!

[@BrianLackey]

Hey Mr. Grylls! How are you enjoying your new vlogging setup? I'm especially interested in knowing your thoughts on just using the tripod stem(?) instead of a gimbal for your vlogging camera. Do you find that you have to do stabilization in Premiere Pro? Or have you picked up any tips for keeping the camera steady while filming yourself tromp through the woods? I picked up a gimbal and have really noticed the difference in video quality when I'm walking, but it's kind of a pain in the ass to use, transport, etc. Thanks!

[@dangroby9293]

nick: met you @ couer da lene shotting eagles, great to see u back from ur little break, but why dont a lot of you photographers,say where your at. i watch you always

[@dean_to2878]

Hi Nick, can you share a little more about the location?

[@gabriellefox5724]

I found this one really helpful thank you🤘

[@TomasEstrada]

Good video, shots camp out nice!

[@davidtom936]

Great Video as always. I always learn a bunch from you. Where exactly are you?

[@QuarkCharmed]

Great video and effort in the rain. And the images, of course. However I couldn't watch the lens (with filter or not) facing up and receiving the raindrops right on the glass. :)

[@bobdagga787]

wow.. awesome ... btw what kind of CPL are you using

[@johnmowry8541]

Kinda cool that you and Thomas Heaton had the same idea today to let the begining of your videos just be the sound of nature. Although Thomas never said a word, Your video was excellent and so peaceful in the rain. What falls was this? I can completely understand the big man trying to squeeze in a tight spot.

[@NickPage]

I thought the same thing lol I just switched to a stereo mic for my video setup, and I wanted to give it a bit of a stage, I have been feeling like my videos have been more music and less nature, so I want to change that, looks like Thomas took it to a new level! this was lower Russel creek falls

[@johnmowry8541]

I loved the sounds! The mics did a great job of catching the small details of the drops hitting the leaves.

[@jeffkatzer]

Ah the wonderful pacific northwest... I'm watching this on July 3rd... Its summer and I'm cozied up next to my fireplace looking outside at the grey rainy day. But I wouldn't live anywhere else.

[@PaulFanMing]

Like your old jingle better, it motive wants to get out to shoot after it plays.

[@OldPongGeezer]

I wish I would have seen this before I headed out this morning with camera in hand! Went out to find a waterfall to practice on with a new 10-stop filter. Luckily, I took a bunch of different compositions and settings (just like you said!). I did try some shots with out the filter, but not sure if I hit 1/5 sec - I was all over the place. I have not looked at them since I got home, but hopeful. :-) I know they will be nothing like yours. Thanks for another great tutorial!

[@davidroberts5535]

A 10 stop ND filter will get you ultra long shutter speeds in a forest environment, sometimes too long. A circ polarizer is generally all you need to blur the water enough. Perhaps a 3 stop if it's brighter out.

[@OldPongGeezer]

Hi David, thanks for the info! I am out in "sunny" Sacramento California - so sadly, a shady forest is a rare location for me. I did go through my images last night, posted a few examples on Instagram (no post edits). The 10-stop did give me that cool dreamy look I was hoping for, especially where the falling water hit the surface at the bottom of the fall, so it worked for me in that instance. I shot in a one of those days where the clouds were moving across the sun, so it was constant full sun/overcast in the span of a few minutes. I did find the 10-stop was pretty heavy, but I was happy with a couple of the images. I do want to try a circular polarizer though, so I appreciate your advice!

[@davidroberts5535]

Old Pong Geezer The 10 stop does some cool things in the right conditions. But like I said, on cloudy days or shade, it might be too much. But keep experimenting. I would like to recommend an app called Long Exposure (by Ilya Genkin Photography)...it provides some awesome info and can calculate shutter speeds when using an ND. Also, The Lee brand of filters have some excellent videos on their website. I found these helpful when learning to use filters and the potential of them. Have fun.

[@lintownboy]

Glad you are uploading so much, keep it up :)

[@oneeyedphotographer]

You could wrap some Gaffa tape around a tripod leg, maybe the one that unscrews. Some card in the backpack, then you could make an emergency hood to keep the rain off the lens.

[@Lunafilms12]

Great Video

[@amosaiccosmos6302]

Thanks for the video!

[@ChrisSmith-wz4cc]

Great shots today Nick, can you attach the link to support your cause ? I didn't quite get the web address you said to go... Thanks for doing what you do...

[@NickPage]

Thanks! Www.patreon.com/nickpagephotography

[@Jacobsaint]

Love your videos bro you such a Good guy

[@NickPage]

Thanks man

[@Jacobsaint]

Nick Page hey dude since I love you super much do u mind given me a shoutout

[@SvenWistuba]

great , thank you very much

[@JohnHight3270]

Hi Nick, Could you give the link you mentioned at the end to support you? I tried to enter what I thought you said a came up with a 404 error. Thanks!

[@JohnHight3270]

Hi Nick: I found it: www.patreon.com/nickpagephotography/

[@tomm9584]

Can't you get the same effect in post processing? Many say so.

[@NickPage]

Not in this kind of scene.

[@randybottphotography]

Umbrellas are you friend in those conditions. I hike with one all the time in the PNW to stay dry.

[@NickPage]

totally agree, I just dont have enough hands to carry one, film and take photos at the same time lol

[@angelathomas2117]

That was really good just need to understand the clicks you were talking about. I don't tend to try things like that as still new to all this I normally shoot in aperture priority only so want to get out of this.

[@myhikingadventures6777]

Best photographer to watch. I have a waterfall near me called the Eternal Flame. There is a methane leak inside a little carve out of the rock and the water falls in front of it and there is, most of the time, a flame. I hiked the mile long trail yesterday and it was a struggle because it was all ice and freezing water. Got to the waterfall to see the flame was out. Still came away with some nice photo's though. Check it out sometime online. Eternal Flame Chestnut Ridge County Park, Orchard Park NY.

[@philipculbertson55]

Man, that looks like the kind of bushwhacking I have to do to get to my areas.

[@xaviertjee]

hey man you should buy something that blocks out all the noise in the background a bit more. for the rest keep up the work I like it

[@clementstevens]

You must be on the road 300 days a year. Way to go

[@NickPage]

Quite a bit thats for sure. If I dont have anything going on that day or days.. and the weather looks even a bit promising.. I get out and shoot.

[@perfectlylonely]

Speaking of throwing some money your way...Your web site suggests that your images from the photo gallery may be purchased on Pintrist? If so, how do I find them?

[@odfarmboy]

I'm assuming you prefer shooting in manual, hence the "clicks". Why not shoot in auto and only change the shutter speed and let the camera do the rest?

[@NickPage]

Yep I shoot in manual all the time. I am just a control freak that way

[@daran0815]

If you shoot in auto, there is some risk that the measurement will change since it was just at the edge between two settings. Using manual that can't happen, so you avoid one more thing that could go wrong.

[@kevinjack5184]

You're no Bear Grylls, Nick, that guy was a fraud! It was mostly all staged. You're more like Les Stroud - one of the realest people on here.

[@DroneManMurphy]

Wow! Commitment! BUT, Bear Grylles you’re not! He’s fake; you’re real. 😊