I love getting out and about with my camera and particularly enjoy starting the day early, photographing a sunrise 🙂
Last Saturday we discovered a brilliant spot for photography – Mahon Pool, Maroubra Beach Sydney.
The first part of the morning I used my ND {neutral density} filters to create slow shutter speeds and movement blur in my photos….I love the effect the slow shutter has on the water – each photo is so individual…the swirling water looks like mist and gives the image an ethereal look.
As you all know {well I’m hoping you do} to SLOW DOWN YOUR SHUTTER SPEED you need low light….
So at dawn, dusk or night time, it’s easy….
But during the day {when the sun is shining :)} even if you set your camera to a small aperture {like f20} and your ISO way down to 100….sometimes the shutter speed is STILL NOT SLOW ENOUGH to record movement and blur within a photograph.
So, in comes the neutral density filter {ND FILTER.}
There are several different types of ND filter on the market. Circular threaded screw-on ND filters are the simplest to use, but have the disadvantage that stacking them together soon leads to vignetting issues.
A more recent innovation are variable Neutral Density filters, which screw onto the lens but have an adjustable outer ring, which you rotate to adjust the density depending on the light conditions and the effect you want.
Variable Neutral Density Filter
Slot-in filters require you to first attach a filter holder to your lens via a ring adapter {the same size as the diameter of your lens – in my case – 77mm}, then insert square or oblong filters into the holder – the chief advantage is that, once set up, it’s easy to swap filters, stack them or add different kinds of filters to the mix. Slot-in filters are usually the most expensive option when purchasing ND filters.
Here’s my Lee slot-in filter set up below.
Lee adaptor and holder attached to the front of the lens
Lee .9 ND filter inserted into holder.
It’s SUPER easy to use the slot-in ND filter system.
I have 4 filters –
.3 Â – reduces the s/speed by 1 stop.
.6 – reduces the s/speed by stops.
.9 – reduces the s/speed by 3 stops.
‘The little Stopper’ – reduces the s/speed by 6 stops.
So, how do they work?
Lets say you meter a scene at f22 and the s/speed is 1/250 sec in Manual mode.
Now, insert the .3  {1 stop} ND filter into the holder on the front of the lens. Roll the shutter speed dial till the exposure level indicator meets in the middle. The s/speed will now be 1/125 sec – 1 stop slower than 1/250 sec.
Remove the .3 filter from the holder.
Now insert the .6 {2 stop} ND filter. Roll the shutter speed dial till the exposure level indicator meets in the middle. The s/speed will now be 1/60 sec – 2 stops slower than 1/250 sec.
Remove the .6 filter from the holder.
Now insert the .9 {3 stop} ND filter. Roll the shutter speed dial till the exposure level indicator meets in the middle. The s/speed will now be 1/30 sec – 3 stops slower than 1/250 sec.
Remove the .9 filter from the holder.
See how it works? You can also stack the filters in front of one another in the holder – eg
I could insert the .3, .6 & .9 filters into the holder and reduce the shutter speed by 6 stops -{1 +2+3 = 6 stops.}
Another really cool thing about ND filters is that they enhance the colours and will create more contrast in your image.
So, experiment with ND filters and different shutter speeds to achieve some really cool effects in your images:)
Click on each pic to view as large image…..
The second half of our shoot I experimented with FAST and SUPER FAST shutter speeds. Using the Canon 70-200mm zoom lens in AV mode, I raised the ISO to 640 and varied the aperture from f5 to f7.1. The shutter speeds ranged from 1/800 second up to 1/5000 sec. Don’t you just love the frozen action of the waves?
Click on each pic to view as large image…..
If you have any questions about ND filters, please email me at bernasconiphotography@gmail.com
Chris 🙂
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