Photographing Rivers, Lakes, and Falling Water

Capturing Rivers

The key to photographing rivers is to remember that it’s not just about the river. I know that sounds odd, but as I look at my collection of river photography and think of my experiences and methods, the shots that feature more than the river stand out the most. This is what I am after, and what you should think about as you venture out with camera in hand.

Seek out and compose shots that have visually compelling elements that complement the river. This could include an interesting sky, sun, clouds, details on one or more shores, the riverbed, people, bridges, rocks, and, where possible, reflections. Use everything at your disposal to make your photographs of rivers interesting.

On Location

This river shot has a lot of creative ...