What is an ND filter? What is it for? How do you use it?
ND or Neutral Density filters are dark filters and are designed to reduce the amount of light reaching the sensor of your camera in order to increase exposure times, without affecting the color of the image.
There are many different manufacturers, and if you decide to get one, make sure you don’t get a cheap one. This filters usually start from light and go to really dark. They reduce your F-stop by 1 stop, 2 stops, etc. etc.
I like to use a 10 stop filter. This is a very dark filter, it reduces light by ten stops. You have to set up your shot before you attach your filter. Here is a video I made on how to use these filters.
This is the filter I use for all my daytime long exposures. 77mm 3.0 ND MRC 110M Filter, Every photo here has been shot with this exact filter, and I could not be happier.
Long Exposures Using ND Filters
So when do you use these filters? I like to use them when the weather is crazy, usually when the clouds are visibly moving really fast and the colors are vibrant. During sunrise and right after sunset is usually a good time.
You can use these filters in the day time that’s how you get the crazy movement of the clouds. Below are a few examples of how I use these filters. All these photos are shot in bulb mode and are from 1-3 minute exposures.
Have you ever used one?
Do you use GND or only ND filter?
This photos are all shot with ND filters, I rarely use Graduated ND Filters as I like to manipulate my entire scene.
Where did you get that mini tripod that you posted on YouTube today for you Key West long exposure tutorial?
Hi Bob, its a Really Rights stuff baby tripod.
Hi Eden, great work and piks. I also live in Miami and i am starting to do some photograpy myself experimenting with a 10 stop filter. My question is weere i am confused at, why would you need bulb mode, if i use lets say a 1/125 exposure and then put a filter of 10 stop that exposure will be 8 seconds. Do i have to set my setting to 8 seconds with the filter or do i leave it at 1/125 (Shutter)
Bulb mode is only for exposures longer then 30 seconds, anything below that are just your normal settings. Just make sure your exposure is set correctly or you will get a black image.
correct and thanks for the reply, i do understand bulb mode is for longer than 30 sec. My question is with the nd filter at 10 stops, my maximum shutter equivalent to 30 seconds or less would be 1/30th of shutter. meaning if i would want 1/25 that is at 40 seconds equivalent meaning i would need bulb mode. Also can i get those blurry effect with less than 30 seconds.
Yes, you can get the blurry effect in less then 30 seconds, however the longer the better. I found the sweet spot for me is from 2-3 minutes. Its just personal preference :)
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