This long exposure image was taken at Pykara waterfall in India while travelling from Ooty to Bangalore through Mysore. It’s nearly a kilometre walk from the highway to get here, and the waterfall isn’t too high. This post will discuss how to get images of this type as well as how to go to this location.
How to capture silky smooth water flow?
An image of this kind is a long exposure shot where you need to keep your camera still. I have not used a tripod here while capturing this image as I did not carry one at that time. For all long exposure shots, it is a must to have tripod and a remote wireless trigger. But trying a long exposure shot on a bright sunny day can create an over exposed image. Here are few tips:
- Use tripod to avoid camera shake.
- Use timer or wireless trigger, again to avoid camera shake.
- Capture image in RAW format.
- On a bright sunny day, use polarized glass / higher stop filters as one of the filters to avoid overexposed image.
- As you are having a slower shutter, increasing aperture (f16+) to a much higher value would be better so that aperture isn’t wide open and it allows less light to the sensor.
Always remember to capture images in RAW format so that just in case if the image is under or over exposed you can always recover it while post processing the image. Try to get everything right within the camera instead of being too dependent on post editing softwares. Checkout my previous two articles on how to deal with under exposed and over exposed images and recover the image.
These tips apply not just for the Pykara waterfalls but also for any of the waterfalls and the camera settings depending on the local lighting conditions. So, the next time you travel to a place like Pykara waterfalls don’t forget to remember these points if you want to get the silky smooth/ milky affect while capturing the image. Follow me on social media for more updates of this kind.
Where is Pykara waterfall located?
Pykara lake, located in the middle of a beautiful green shola forest, was created as a result of the dam and power plant built on the river. A few hundred metres north of the lake, the river cascades over the cliffs to produce the famous Pykara waterfall.
Pykara is a river in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, 19 kilometres from Ooty, with a hamlet of the same name nearby. The Todas hold the Pykara River in high regard. It begins from Mukurthi mountain, runs north, and then turns west when it reaches the plateau’s edge.
About Pykara Waterfall
The river travels through a succession of waterfalls, the final two of which are Pykara Falls, measuring 55 metres (180 feet) and 61 metres (200 feet). The falls are around 6 kilometres (4 miles) from the major road bridge. At Pykara, there is a woodland rest house. A boat house on the Pykara reservoir is an additional draw for visitors. Pykara is known for its well-protected, gated sholas, Toda communities, expansive green meadows, and abundant animal habitat. The Pykara Dam, falls, and reservoir draw a large number of visitors.
How to reach Pykara Waterfall
Coimbatore Airport Terminal is the closest. Mettupalayam is connected to Ooty via metre gauge railroad. Mettupalayam is the nearest Broad Gauge Station. Coimbatore is a major railway junction. Also, Pykara waterfall is around 20 kilometres from the Ooty bus station.
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