How to shoot water photography
that makes waves
From beautiful waterfall videos to beachfront snaps, here are the best ways catch them all this summer.
Warm weather transforms bodies of water into brilliant beauties. But capturing how they look in real life on your camera can be a challenge. Read on to find out how to get everything from stunning shoreline shots to pristine lakeside pictures.
Snap the perfect moment
When photographing water in motion, shooting at just the right moment can be tricky. If you don’t have the quick-draw reflexes of a pro, you could find yourself with a camera roll full of misses.
Instead, try capturing the whole sequence, from start to finish, with 8K video. Using 8K Video Snap on the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G¹, you can go back later and sort through every moment to find the right one. Then pull a high-quality still directly from the footage.²
Let the water move through your shot
Still photography doesn’t always do justice to moving water, but sometimes the moment isn’t right for video either. Long-exposure shots can be the perfect way to split the difference. Find a point where the water is moving in an interesting way (like a small cascade or a whirlpool) and stabilize your camera while aimed directly at it. A tripod and confidence in your framing are key here. Adjust your settings for long exposure in Pro mode on the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G and you’ll get an ethereal effect.
Capture the character of water
How water moves through its environment gives it definition, which can impact your framing. Think about the character of the water you’re shooting. Is it aggressive? Gentle? Lost and wandering?
Each of these different characteristics call for different techniques. Super Slow-mo can be great for slowing down a mighty river to show its strength, while shooting with 120 frames per second can capture every instant of a wild whitewater rapid.³
Get your feet wet
If you think a body of water is photogenic enough that you need to document it, chances are that plenty of other people feel the same way too. You’ll need a creative way to find a shot that will stand out in your feed. With Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G, you can get your feet off the shore and take your shot in any freshwater lake or stream⁴ to capture your subject in a way others wouldn't try. Follow your gut and fully immerse yourself in the moment. The shots will be worth it.
Choose the right lens
Different lenses work best for different scenarios, and you may have to switch between multiple lenses within minutes to capture a body of water properly. If you’re lugging a big camera rig to your site, you’ll have to to switch your equipment for every shot. You can simplify the process by bringing a versatile camera system like the one on the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G. Stay in the moment and switch between various focal lengths and perspectives with the tap of a button.
- ¹Requires optimal 5G network connection, available in select markets. Check with your carrier for availability and details. Download and streaming speeds may vary based on content provider, server connection and other factors.
- ²8K Video Snap produces photos up to 33MP.
- ³Super Slow-mo only supports HD resolution. Users can record approximately 1 second of video captured at 480 fps and digitally enhance the video to 960 fps with approximately 32 seconds of playback. Playback time can be edited in Super Slow-mo player.
- ⁴Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is rated as IP68. Based on test conditions for submersion in up to 4.9 feet of freshwater for up to 30 minutes. Not advised for beach, pool use and soapy water.
Get the gear to get the shot
Before you get your feet wet, be sure you’ve got the smartphone camera system built to handle the entire experience.
Galaxy S22 Ultra
Galaxy S22 | S22+
Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G
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