Just Add Water - A Photo Tip When You Can't Think of Anything to Shoot
77If a writer sometimes encounters "writer's block" a photographer also sometimes encounters an equivalent "photographer's block".
A photographer especially a hobbyist (like me) sometimes just can't think of anything to shoot. What to do then? Well, a helpful advice is to - just 'keep on shooting' just as the usual advice to the writer is to 'keep on writing'. But what will you shoot?
One answer is - "think of water, just add water".
Why Water?
Water is always a fascinating subject for a photo. And since water can be found almost anywhere, you will never run out of water to shoot.
If you are an islander, then you are very lucky because you are surrounded by water. There is the ocean or the sea just a few steps away from your doorstep. Or there is the mangrove or the river just a hike away.
If you live in the countryside, chances are you have some waterfalls or lakes or rivers or streams.
It's always fun to photograph waterfalls or streams. You can capture the flow of water with a slow shutter speed and make it appear milky and smooth. Or you can use a fast shutter speed to freeze the water movement.
Rain, Rain, Don't Go Away
What happens if you cannot go out to the country or the sea because it's raining? What happens? You have your answer there! There is water, plenty of water! Shoot the rain from your balcony or the raindrops on your window pane!
What if you are inside the car when it's raining? Well, if you are the one driving, then of course you cannot take a picture. But if you are a passenger, then this is an exciting time for you!
I learned how to shoot rain through a car window. The results are usually one of a kind photos. The best camera setting to use if your car is moving is the "sports mode". You can't go wrong with this mode because it will take a burst of shots and your chance of getting a good shot increases. Not only that, the movement of the car will also create streaks on the car window and this adds another exciting dimension to your photo.
After the Rain, There are Raindrops and Puddles
After the rain is one of my favorite moments for taking photos. There are raindrops galore everywhere. I already wrote a hub about raindrops before, RaindropsA-Few-of-my-Favorite-Things. so I'll just include one raindrop photo here.
Another thing that we can take a photo of after the rain are puddles. They capture beautiful reflections. I also have a hub on reflections. Reflections-in-Photography.
See, I just love photographing water wherever they are.
Adding Water Enhances A Photo
Adding water to a photo always creates a more interesting photo. Just take a look at these two photos of a starfish. Which do you think presents a more appealing photo?
Water adds breadth and depth to any photographic composition.
Water Expresses Emotion
You want to express serenity or calmness? Take a photo of still water.
You want to express rage or danger? Take a photo of raging water.
Just Add Water and You Will Be Fine
So just adding water makes a lot of difference to a photo. It can even make you win a contest as what happened to this photo below.
We had a photo shoot about a festival, the Aliwan Festival of which I wrote about before. I-Recommend-the-Aliwan-Festival-in-the-Philippines.
However, it started to rain and everybody went for cover. I went for cover too but I kept on shooting and got an award winning shot.
So when stumped on what to shoot, just add water!
My Other Hubs On Photography
If you enjoyed this, you might also enjoy my other hubs on photography. Here are some of them:
Nature-Abstract-in-Photography
How-to-Change-the-Mood-of-Your-Photos-Use-Layers-and-Blending-Options
CommentsLoading...
Hi Cheeky Girl,
Thank you for being the first one here. Yes, some of the photos may look familiar because I used some of them in my other hubs.
I love Boracay beach too! As I said before, Boracay is my favorite island and I'm going back there again this month.
Thanks very much for the wonderful opening salvo!
God bless!
Wow! Great pics, Jill. Some of my best featured water also. Your camera has great close up and high speed capabilities, and you know how to use it! Great composition!
Hi Christoph,
Nice to see you!
Thank you very much for your wonderful comment! That means a lot to me because you are an artist.
Hope to see you again!
God bless!
What a delight to read and view! I was especially enchanted with the rain pictures.
You know, when I read your title in this morning's HP email, the instant image that came to mind was of standing in front of a studio table with a water bottle and spraying an object. I have done this before, with some good results. So, I was for a moment there wondering what light you were going to shed on that technique. Once I started reading, I had a good laugh at myself. :)
Think I better go get that third cup of coffee!
So beautiful and so creative as always jill. I'm a real fan of your work :)xxx
I adore your water photos!!! Truly works of art! Thanks for lovely imagery on a dry hot Dallas day!
Water...beautiful water. I think I've taken lots of pictures with water but never really thought about that much until now. You pulled some great examples for us. Thanks.
Hi Sally,
You know, I was tempted to add that technique myself. I sometimes do it too especially with fruits and vegetables. However, I had second thoughts about using it.
Thanks for the upbeat comment! I'd like to join you in your coffee time!
Hope to see you again!
God bless!
Hello Green Lotus,
You always make me happy with your visits and comments! Your words always play a resonant chord in my heart.
I must say we have a mutual admiration society because I also love your hubs!
Thanks very much!
God bless!
Hello Nellieanna,
Wow, coming from an artist like you, that's really something! Your words are music to my ears!
Thank you very much for dropping by. You honor me with your visit and comment!
God bless!
Hi Cindy,
Thank you very much for your heartwarming comment.
Yes, that is so true, water is simply beautiful so we tend to take a picture naturally. I'm happy if this hub made you look at water in a new light.
Thanks very much for dropping by Cindy. See you around!
God bless!
Looking at your beautiful photos always makes me happy. You've done it again! Voting this up and beautiful!
Hi Peggy,
It's so nice to see you!
Reading your comments always makes me happy too! Thank you very much for appreciating my work. Thanks too for rating up and beautiful! You're a great friend!
God bless!
Jill, I am always uplified by your hubs. Your photos are exciting! I eally liekd the reflection and the last one with the rain at the Aliwan Festival. Your eye for beauty is keen and your heart inspiring
CS
interesting hub and useful information sharing to hub page community
Hi coffeesnob,
Great to see you again!
Your words always make me happy and inspired.
Thank you for always being here for me and for appreciating my work. You are a great friend!
God bless!
Hello kingkhan,
Thank you very much for your wonderful comment. It's my pleasure to share what I know and what I love do. Comments like yours are what inspire me to keep sharing.
See you around!
God bless!
Beautiful pictures, Jill! Yes, water is beautiful but it needs a great photographer to make the pictures stunning :)
Love your photos :-)
Hi Shalini,
Sorry for this late reply. I was out in the province for one whole week and did not have time to access the internet. I just got back today.
As always, your comment brings joy to my heart. Thank you very much for always being supportive and appreciative of my efforts.
God bless!
Hello De Greek,
Thank you very much!
I'm sorry for this late reply. I was in the province and did not have time to access the internet. It's good to be back now and catch up with friends once again.
God bless!
Hi Jill,
Very impresive explanation, thank you! I learn a lot here. Cheers...!
Hello Allan,
What a beautiful thing to say! Thank you very much! You have made me very happy!
You are most welcome. The pleasure is really mine!
God bless!
Hi, this simple tip is really works. I never thought adding water will create some dynamic/motion in the picture. Great hub!
Beautiful, beautiful photos!
Hi Ign Andy,
Nice to see you here!
Yes, water always adds something to a photo. Thanks very for your lovely comment. Hope to see you again!
God bless!
Hello mioluna,
Thank you, thank you very much! You have made me very happy with your comment!
God bless!
Some wonderful tips :) Great photos. Raindrops on a rose is my favorite :)
Hello twentyfive,
Thanks very much! I really appreciate your visit and comment.
God bless!
Awesome perspective... Thanks for the tip. I was trying to think of interesting things to shoot with my new camera. Guess I will be looking for water now! :)
Hi barbergirl,
That's great! Go go go! Enjoy your new camera!
I also have more photography hubs. Just check them out for more ideas. I also have a photo blog. The link is found in my profile page here.
Thank you very much for the visit and upbeat comment.
God bless!
I like the rain photos, must try some of those, we get plenty of it in the UK:)
Hello Steve,
Yes try the rain photos, they are fun to take.
Thanks very much for dropping by and leaving a lovely comment.
God bless!
Excellent hub, great tips and photos
I'm just an amateur as far as photography goes and I know that the background in a photo is important but you have given me something to think about about photos with water. Great info and well written.
Hi Becky,
It's so nice to see you here!
Thanks very much for your wonderful comment.
God bless!
Hello Carrie,
I am an amateur too or what you may call a serious hobbyist. I just love to take photos and to keep on learning what works best.
I'm happy if my hub gave you something to think about. That's great!
Thanks very much for visiting and leaving an upbeat comment.
God bless!
I do have to say that water is a good source of great photography. In fact, my love for this genre stemmed by looking at pictures of the sky and water initially. I'm awed. Thanks for this hub jill.;)
Hi hpwriter,
I agree with you, sky and water especially where they meet always draw the eye.
Thank you very much for your visit and beautiful comment.
God bless!
Haha, interesting point of view. I wish things would be that easy :)
Hello alexandruv,
Thank you very much for your visit and nice words.
Well, it may not always be easy but adding water is always interesting, for me anyway.
God bless!
I like your article.
Fantastic pictures too.
Wow....
Please write more.
Hello realfree,
Sorry for the late reply. I was out of town for a week and did not have a chance to access an internet.
Thank you very much for your wonderful comment. I do intend to keep on writing.
God bless!
These photos are simply stunning.Great article too.
Hello Lovingu,
Thank you very much for your heartwarming comment.
Hope to see you around again.
God bless!
Thanks for some fantastic pics.
You can't beat a sunset over water.
Keep up the good work.
Dobbo
Hello Dobo,
Thanks very much for appreciating my work. You have made me very happy. It's just a perfect comment to brighten my day.
God bless!
Real nice Hub. I love shooting in or after the rain. I'm yet to get to a waterfall or beach front, so looking forward to those trips
Hi Pixel-Alchemist,
Thanks very much! You just started my New Year on a high note with your beautiful comment.
I'm happy to meet somebody who is also into shooting in the rain.
Thanks again for your visit.
God bless!
Nice shots of creative energy.
Hello Errol Kane,
Thank you very much for your wonderful comment!
God bless!
Hi Jill! Excellent tips and great photos. I'm amazed that you are able to think of all these photo shoot ideas.
Hello TajSingh,
Thank you very much for your visit and wonderful comment.
God bless!
I have taken such beach photos recently in Boracay! These photos are really good!
Hi Obscure_Treasures,
Thanks for your beautiful comment. I also have more hubs and photos of Boracay. Please check them out if interested.
Are you from the Philippines too?
Hi Jill :)
What lovely photos!
You are right ~ water is a beautiful subject for photographers!
I used to use my SLR a lot, which gave me good control over my pictures, but I now have a simple little digital ~ which I do not even know all the rules for, not having read the booklet!!! It is easy to use, though, and I take hundreds of photos! No photographers' block for me!
My daughter has an SLR digital camera. It's great!
Hello Trish,
Thank you very much for your beautiful comment!
Oh, unlike you, I have problems with a point and shoot after getting used to my SLR. Sometimes, people can't believe that I have to ask them how to use their P&S when they ask me to take their photo. Hahaha!
Thanks for sharing your experience!
God bless!
"Sometimes, people can't believe that I have to ask them how to use their P&S"
Hi :)
Yes, that happens to me, too! :)
Hi Trish,
It's nice to see you again!
Hahaha! And I thought I was the only one!
Thanks for coming back!
God bless!
Cheeky Girl Level 4 Commenter 21 months ago
Great photos here. Some look familiar. I have a photo of Boracay just like one of the beach shots here. Love that beach! Some great ideas. Just add water!