Niagra Waterfalls

Hi,

I just got my camera a couple of weeks back, the cannon G11. But couldn't get much time to go through the manuals.

I am planning a trip to Niagra this weekend and wanting to click some nice pics. I am a beginner in digital cameras..could any help me out with some quick tips on how to take nice landcape / waterfall / potraits without knowing much literature.

TIA

anirS said:

Hi,

I just got my camera a couple of weeks back, the cannon G11. But couldn't get much time to go through the manuals.

I am planning a trip to Niagra this weekend and wanting to click some nice pics. I am a beginner in digital cameras..could any help me out with some quick tips on how to take nice landcape / waterfall / potraits without knowing much literature.

Click to expand...

First, I suggest that you somehow find the time to read the manuals. You never know; there could be something useful in there. The Canon folks spent a lot of time writing them, just so people like you could use their cameras properly.

Next, be advised that Niagara is wet . I mean, there's water kicking around everywhere, soaking you to the skin and covering your camera lens. So consider methods to deal with that reality. No good pictures come from wet lenses.

You have to be on the Canadian side. The American side is a very depressing spectacle, totally devoid of photographic opportunity unless you like shooting pictures of wastelands.

Now I'm 100% sure you won't do this, but any serious landscape work is done on a tripod, even if you have a compact digital camera. You just have to plant the thing down to get good detail. If you don't use a tripod, just bang away. G11 is a pretty good camera and it'll record whatever you're aiming at.

--
Leonard Migliore

lol the best advice i got thank you so much..unfortunately i m on the American side...any idea how can i still get the most of it...

I will try to read the manual en route

As Leonard suggests, get to the Canadian side. Just cross the bridge and make sure everyone has their passports.

The last time my wife and I visited the falls, I brought a Sony R1 and Canon A620 (which I still use). To get images where the mist was falling like rain, I utilized a marine case for the A620. If I did not have it (or something similar to protect the camera), there was no way I would have captured a number of unforgettable moments - "Maid of the Mist" boat ride and "Journey Behind the Falls".

As other have suggested, you just cannot get any good views from the US side. You have to get over to the Canada side for a frontal view of the fall. If you plan to stay until night time to see the light, you'll need a tripod.

There are a few lookout points over at the Canada side along the way towards the fall.
Pay to get to the observation tower is another alternative.
Prepare to get wet.

--
chiue -
Nikon D5000 / Kodak 880 7590 6440 915
Kodak Digital Cameras Galleries
http://www.wix.com/chiuestar/Kodak-DC

These was taken at the Canadian side during winter time.
Canadian Fall





US Fall



--
chiue -
Nikon D5000 / Kodak 880 7590 6440 915
Kodak Digital Cameras Galleries
http://www.wix.com/chiuestar/Kodak-DC

Haven't been to the Falls in the last 8 years but the last time we were there you didn't need a passport as long as you had U.S identification.

Maybe things have changed.

I will agree 100% that a trip to Niagra Falls wouldn't be very interesting if you stayed on the U.S. side.

At this time, everyone entering Canada by whatever route (sea, air and land) is required to show a VALID passport or Nexus card.

I believe this policy went into effect last spring. Entry by air required a passport for a couple years prior, if I remember correctly.

--

It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain an idea without necessarily accepting it. -Aristotle

...oh, and I see by the lack of responses that I am right yet again.

Just to repeat what others say, unless you have no passport or whatever, go to the Canadian side. It's just so much better for access and shots.
--
Sean

I shot this pano in June from the Skylon Tower.



--
Leon
http://web.me.com/leonwittwer/landscapes.htm

Kinda takes some of the fun out of traveling.

I can understand the change but I wonder if it's affected the amount of U.S. tourist that go to the Falls.

Things were a lot simpler a few years ago and Niagra Falls (Canadian side) is a great place to go for a day trip.

Great people, nice restaurants, perfect access to the Falls and lots of fun.

Terrific pano, Leon! Gives one a perfect overview.

I grew up about 25-minutes away from Niagara Falls. We now live just over an hour away.

Previous posters are right, you really need to be here on the Canadian side to get the best pictures of the American Falls and, to the minds of many, the more picturesque Canadian (Horseshoe) Falls.

We really should visit more often. The photo opportunities are everywhere, not only along the river but in the Clifton Hill/Falls Avenue entertainment district, Indoor Waterpark, Fallsview Casino, Skylon Tower, garden areas, etc.

Great spot for people/street shots...









Water doesn't need to be a problem, unless you get so close that the mist can't be avoided. In many cases, it all depends on which way the wind is blowing. Here are two shots, the first from inside, showing people standing right beside the brink and they're not getting wet.









If you're taking pics close to the Falls, you can see where the spray is falling because the street and sidewalk will be wet.

Depending on how much time you have, you can also venture north on the Canadian side to take in the Niagara Gorge/Whirlpool, Queenston and a final stop at Niagara-On-The-Lake, with its many historical homes, churches and shops.





It's a nice drive along the Niagara Parkway. I should also mention that gets you into Ontario's wine country.

One consideration: if you're driving a rental car, let them know you'll be taking it into Canada, have them show that in the agreement and carry it with you. That avoids any problems at the border or with the provider.

If you're not used to the camera, just put it on Auto or P and you should get some great shots.

Enjoy your trip!
mike

Mike, except for the waterpark and Queenston, my wife and I have visited all the great places you've mentioned. The extra time taken driving to Niagara-on-the-Lake was well worth it. On that day we jumped on the Whirlpool Aero Car and rode the Whirlpool Jet Boat (covered vessel). Though a bit pricey, both attractions give you a unique view of the river and surrounding area. Someday soon, I'll have to go back and spend more time among the vineyards.

guys sorry to disappoint you but I will be on the American side and the weather will be bad too

Want to make the most of it though..

ON the camera usage front (see my original post) - i figured out 2 things -

1.) I will go to the predefined SCN modes in my camera, mostly the landscape, potrait modes and the Night Scape mode.

2.) For getting long exposure shots I will try my hand at the Shutter Priority mode leaving the rest on the camera to figure out. I will mostly concentrate on composing a decent shot

thanks for the overwhelming response and suggestions friends

anirS said:

guys sorry to disappoint you but I will be on the American side and the weather will be bad too

Click to expand...

Weather may be better than you anticipate. 40% of isolated showers Saturday, variable cloudiness Sunday and mainly sunny if you're still around for part of Labour Day. Bring a sweater or jacket, 'cause we're finally going to get some relief from what's been a very hot summer.

Good luck!

Sidekicker said:

Mike, except for the waterpark and Queenston, my wife and I have visited all the great places you've mentioned. The extra time taken driving to Niagara-on-the-Lake was well worth it. On that day we jumped on the Whirlpool Aero Car and rode the Whirlpool Jet Boat (covered vessel). Though a bit pricey, both attractions give you a unique view of the river and surrounding area. Someday soon, I'll have to go back and spend more time among the vineyards.

Click to expand...

Good to hear you enjoyed our little corner of the world, Sidekicker. Hope it's the same story on your next trip here!

mike

This seems to have good information on what can be done from the American side

http://www.niagarafallsstatepark.com/Activities_NiagaraScenicTrolley.aspx
--
Sean

mikemarshall said:

Good to hear you enjoyed our little corner of the world, Sidekicker. Hope it's the same story on your next trip here!

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Thanks Mike! I've enjoyed many spring, summer and autumn days in Canada, from Quebec City to Victoria. The GTA is rather familiar to me, as my past business required that I spend about four days there every other year. Normally, I did not get out to Niagara Falls, though I did have an account in the town. However, they were my excuse for spending a long weekend at the falls in 2006. As I mentioned, my wife came along with me that year, and we thoroughly enjoyed our stay.

I can't wait to visit Canada again. Friendly people like you are a major reason for it.

BTW - I have not spent any winter days in Canada because I was born and lived most of my life in this country's 50th state, in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. My blood is too thin for real winter weather. LOL

If you can't go to the Canadian side (which I agree gives you the best shots), go to the island in the middle (Goat Island) and take the tour to the base of the US falls. While you have to be very careful of the heavy mist (you will get wet), you can also get some nice close up shots of the falls from that angle. You can also take a trip on one of the boats that will take you right up to the Canadian falls as well.