Niagara Falls has rightfully earned its place as one of the most iconic natural wonders in the world. With a simple online search, you can find countless pages filled with stunning images capturing the magnificence of the Falls. If you’re planning a Niagara Falls getaway consider adding a sightseeing tour of Niagara Falls with Magnificent Tours to your schedule. This will ensure you cover the “must-see” locations. Keeping some of these photography tips in mind during your travels will help you to capture your experiences at their best.
Before we begin, it’s important to note that these tips are based on our own experiences of photographing Niagara Falls, and are from the perspective of a novice photographer aimed with a phone or simple camera. We’ll leave advanced technical details like shutter speeds and aperture settings to the professionals! We believe these basic elements will help you bring your own unique experiences to life from your tour of Niagara Falls.
- Weather Sets the Scene
While you don’t have control over the weather during your visit, it can significantly impact your photography. Any day can make for a great shot. Ideally, a day with blue skies and some clouds makes for a comfortable day as you tour Niagara Falls and can provide a balanced scene and enhance contrast for sharper images. A bright and sunny day can produce lens flare which presents like a filter effect. However, don’t be disheartened if you do end up with an overcast day. Such conditions can add a touch of drama to your shots.
- Find the Perfect Angle
Seek out locations that offer the best vantage points of Niagara Falls. Taking a journey to the base of the Falls aboard Niagara City Cruises, which is included in Niagara Falls Best Tour and Niagara Falls Scenic Tours, provides an unparalleled angle that you won’t find on shore. Water drops on your lens from the mist can add to the overall effect, though some visitors use clear zippered sandwich bags tightly held over their lenses for protection. Alternatively, capture shots as you approach or move away from the Falls and shield your camera or phone from the mist using a rain poncho provided on the cruise (which also makes for a great souvenir!).
- Add an Interesting Element
To make your photos more captivating, incorporate additional elements into the composition. A bird flying into view, perched on a rock, or the natural rock face and greenery, as well as the intricate railings along the Falls, can make for stunning shots with the cascading water as the backdrop. The darkened tunnel and railings at Journey Behind the Falls make great frames as you capture the waterfall from behind the veil of water. Another popular choice is the boardwalk at White Water Walk which provides an opportunity to photograph the renowned Niagara River rapids. Journey is included in all of Magnificent Tours day tours while White Water Walk bonus passes are provided as part of the Niagara Falls Scenic Tour.
- Timing is Key
The time of day plays a crucial role in setting the mood of your photos. Our first sightseeing tours of Niagara Falls depart around 9:30-10:00 in the morning. If you’re aiming to capture the sunrise, you might need to wake up early and head out before your tour begins or reserve a Fallsview room or suite at one of the hotels that overlook the Falls. Alternatively, for the soft hues of sunset, nightly illumination, or fireworks displays, you can explore the Falls after the tour. With different tour durations available, Magnificent Tours is a great option as you can find one of the Niagara Falls tours will fit your schedule perfectly.
- Experiment with Filters
Artistic expression is subjective, and sometimes you may feel that your shots need a little extra touch. Don’t hesitate to use filters available on social media platforms. Instagram, for example, offers a range of filters to enhance your photos. Try the X-Pro II filter for a vintage look or the Inkwell filter for a dramatic black and white effect. You can also play around with advanced effects to adjust contrast, blur, add warmth, stickers, GIFs and more. With some creative touch-ups, even a seemingly imperfect shot can become a masterpiece.
We hope these tips help you create a stunning gallery of images as you explore Niagara Falls’ top attractions and capture the best photo opportunities. If you choose to venture out with the expert guides at Magnificent Tours don’t forget to tag posts when you share your Niagara Falls Sightseeing Tour images. They may even shared on social media feeds! @tourniagara on Instagram and MagnificentNiagaraFallsTours on Facebook.