As a photographer, nothing compares to the thrill of capturing the soft, silky flow of water through long exposure photography, especially in serene, natural locations like Forest Mills Falls, Napanee Spring Side Park, and Kingsford Park in Ontario. These spots, nestled in the quiet beauty of rural Ontario, offer fantastic opportunities to refine long exposure techniques while enjoying nature’s tranquility.
If you’re like me, you know there’s something incredibly meditative about setting up your camera by a flowing river, adjusting the settings, and letting the water’s motion transform into a dreamy blur. The long exposure technique is more than just a technical process—it’s a way of seeing the world differently, a means to slow down time and appreciate the details that our eyes might otherwise miss.
Let’s dive into these locations and how you can make the most of them for long exposure photography.
Tucked away near Camden East, Forest Mills Falls is a hidden gem for photographers. The falls are modest in size, but what they lack in grandeur, they more than make up for in charm and accessibility. The calm setting, combined with the gentle cascade of the falls, makes it an ideal spot for experimenting with long exposures.
When setting up for long exposures here, I recommend finding a vantage point that incorporates both the flowing water and the surrounding foliage. Early mornings or late afternoons provide the best lighting—soft, diffused sunlight that complements the movement of the water without creating harsh contrasts.
Shutter Speed: Start with a shutter speed between 5 to 10 seconds to capture that smooth, silky water effect. You might need to experiment with longer exposures depending on the light and how fast the water is moving.
Neutral Density (ND) Filter: A good ND filter is essential here. Since the falls are exposed to sunlight during much of the day, an ND filter will help cut down the light entering your camera, allowing for longer exposures without overexposing the image.
Composition: Use the rocks and foliage around the falls to frame your shot. I find that including elements like moss-covered rocks or leaves adds depth and context to the image, enhancing the sense of place.
Tripod Stability: The area around the falls can be uneven, so make sure your tripod is stable. I always make sure to weigh it down (a camera bag works fine) to avoid any slight movements that could ruin the shot.
What I love most about Forest Mills Falls is the peaceful ambiance. You’re likely to have the place to yourself, making it the perfect spot to take your time and really focus on getting the perfect shot.
Spring Side Park in Napanee is another fantastic location for long exposure photography. The Napanee River flows through this park, and there’s a scenic waterfall that makes for an ideal subject. What sets this location apart is the way the water cascades over various levels of rocks, creating multiple points of interest within one frame.
This location is particularly striking in the spring or fall when the surrounding foliage adds vibrant colors to your composition. In the fall, the warm hues of the leaves contrast beautifully with the cool, flowing water, creating a visually dynamic scene.
Timing: If you’re shooting in the fall, the best time to visit is during the golden hour just after sunrise or before sunset when the light is soft and golden. During these times, you’ll get the perfect balance of color and movement.
ISO and Aperture: I usually keep the ISO low (100-200) to minimize noise, especially when doing longer exposures. For aperture, I tend to use f/11 to f/16, which helps ensure a sharp image throughout the frame while still allowing for a long exposure.
Filters: Much like Forest Mills Falls, an ND filter is your best friend here. Depending on the lighting conditions, you may also want to use a circular polarizer to reduce glare from the water and bring out the natural colors in the rocks and leaves.
Perspective: Try getting low to the ground and using the rocks in the riverbed to lead the viewer’s eye toward the waterfall. You can also play with reflections in the water, especially if you shoot just after a rain when the river is still and calm in some areas.
Spring Side Park is a bit busier than Forest Mills Falls, especially on weekends, but the beauty of the location makes it worth the visit. Patience is key if you want to avoid crowds in your shot. Sometimes, it’s just about waiting a few minutes for the right moment.
Kingsford Park, with its rugged terrain and rushing water, offers an entirely different atmosphere for long exposure photography. The river here moves fast, and there are several spots along the park’s trails where you can capture both small rapids and broader river views. The surrounding forest provides a natural frame, making every shot feel like you’ve stepped into a secluded wilderness.
The park’s combination of rocky outcroppings and fast-moving water gives you the opportunity to experiment with different types of long exposure shots. You can shoot wide to capture the full scope of the landscape, or go for tighter shots that highlight the textures in the water and rocks.
Fast-Moving Water: Because the water moves quickly here, you can get away with shorter exposures (around 2-4 seconds) for a more textured effect. This is perfect if you want to capture the energy of the river without turning it into a completely smooth blur.
Weather Conditions: Kingsford is amazing on foggy or misty days, which add a layer of mystery to your images. The fog creates a soft, diffused light, which is perfect for long exposures, and the mist adds an ethereal quality to the scene.
Using Wide-Angle Lenses: I recommend bringing a wide-angle lens to Kingsford. The river, rocks, and trees combine to create a dynamic landscape, and a wide-angle lens will help you capture the full breadth of the scene. I often shoot with a 16-35mm lens here, which gives me the flexibility to go wide or zoom in slightly for more focused compositions.
Foreground Elements: Use the rocks and branches along the river as foreground elements to add depth to your shot. I like to find interesting shapes or patterns in the rocks to lead the eye through the image.
Kingsford Park is a bit more rugged than the other two locations, so be prepared for some light hiking. The extra effort is well worth it, though, as the park offers a variety of landscapes to explore and shoot.
While each of these locations presents its own unique challenges and opportunities, there are a few general tips that will help ensure your long exposure shots turn out as planned:
Patience is Key: Long exposure photography is all about taking your time. It’s not just about the shot, but the experience of being present in nature and really observing the world around you. I always find that my best shots come when I’ve taken the time to enjoy the process.
Bring a Remote Shutter Release: This minimizes camera shake and ensures you get the sharpest image possible, especially when working with exposures longer than a few seconds.
Bracket Your Shots: Take multiple shots at different exposure times. This gives you options in post-processing and helps ensure you capture the scene just as you envisioned it.
Check Your Histogram: Don’t rely solely on the LCD screen to check your exposure. The histogram gives you a more accurate representation of whether your image is correctly exposed.
Photographing long exposures at Forest Mills Falls, Napanee Spring Side Park, and Kingsford Park is more than just a technical exercise—it’s an opportunity to connect with nature and capture the beauty of these serene locations. Each spot offers something different, from the quiet charm of Forest Mills to the rushing water of Kingsford, and each visit presents new possibilities.
Remember, the key to great long exposure photography is patience and practice. Whether you’re a seasoned photographer or just starting out, these locations in Ontario are perfect for honing your skills and creating stunning images that capture the magic of flowing water.
Happy shooting!