Huka Jet 1
Jet Boat at Huka Falls New Zealand. Taken from another boat
Jet Boat at Huka Falls New Zealand. Taken from another boat
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Feb, 2023Views
157
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Awards
People's Choice in Watercraft Photo Challenge
Peer Award
Absolute Masterpiece
Top Ranks
Top 20 rankTop 10 rank week 1
Top 20 rank week 1
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Platinum
elljaysan_2015
March 17, 2023
Congratulations Ivor on this amazing shot receiving the Peoples choice award
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
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Behind The Lens
Location
I took this photo at Huka Falls, Taupo, New Zealand from a river cruise boat that approaches the falls, but does not go as close as the Jet Boats. This is an amazing waterfall, with a height of 11m and at this time after heavy rain was pushing at 270 cubic metres of water per second. The noise is incredible and the colour is as seen in the photo.Time
This was taken around 1pm. There are only a few sailings of the river boat each day, and we were only able to get a midday ticket. Therefore not the most ideal time for photographing, but I took what I could get.Lighting
I was on a boat that was going in circles, giving everyone a chance to see and photograph the falls, the light was good, but slight variances were encountered due to the movement, and not having a fixed position. the jet boat was moving from the shadow on the side of the river into the light under the falls at high speed, so all in all a little challenging.Equipment
I used my Canon 600D for this shoot. I had a 75-300mm canon telephoto lens attached. I was standing on the viewing platform on a boat that was being rocked and pummelled by the current and I was waiting for the jet boat which was moving at high speed to come into frame. I was steadying myself against the boat, and held the camera tightly, locked into a tight grip, I also used burst mode and took multiple shots at the same time. I also had a lens cloth as I had to keep wiping water droplets off the lens.Inspiration
I had been at the falls the previous day and had seen the River Cruises boat coming up to the falls and the jet boat arriving at the same time. From the bank it was not possible to get good shots of the jet boat. I took some photos from the side, of the river cruise boat with people standing on the foredeck in the spray and decided that I would try and come back the next day and experience this journey and a close encounter with the falls. I got some wonderful shots from this trip, but for me getting the jet boat in frame was what I really wanted.Editing
I did a little post processing mainly to make the colours pop a little more. Even though this was shot at 1/3200th of a second, it was still probably a little too slow. I used the Sharpen tool on the software as well. I also cropped the photo and straightened it as the way it was shot showed the water to be at an angle, because the boat I was on was rocking violently at that stage.In my camera bag
My main camera is a Canon 5D Mk11, backed up by a Canon 600D. I have both a 28mm and 50mm prime lenses, a 75-300, a 24-105, an 18-55 and 55-250 telephone lenses. I also have a 2X converter which I rarely use. I have three flash units all Yongnuo YN560's with a wireless flash controller. A sleeve with an array of filters from ND through to coloured filters for B&W, cleaning kit, remote shutter release, spare batteries, 3 plastic bags for rainy weather and an old external handle which connects to the tripod connector for when I am taking photos and really need to hold on to the camera. The bag is Lowepro, but the model details have worn away, I have a monopod strapped to the outside of the bag. and I also have a phone that I will use in emergencies.Feedback
If you are going to be on a moving vehicle (boat etc.) and want to photograph another object moving at high speed, you must be prepared to take lots of photos, and probably should not adjust your settings mid shoot if you are only going to get one or two shots at it. Shoot in RAW and you can make amendments easily. Also it may be necessary to straighten the photo is the horizon in not level. If you have an idea as I did, just go for it, you might not get the shot but the experience will be fantastic. Otherwise come to New Zealand for your next holidays and photograph this yourself.
