ND Filters
May 18, 2021 18:39:39 #
I am after some advice on ND filters. I know that ND filters are used to extend the exposure time for photos of moving subjects such as waterfalls, rivers etc to smooth out the water flow - that makes perfect sense to me. I also know that people use ND filters to take photos of sunrises and sunsets. I just don't understand the rationale for that. Can someone please explain it to me. It seems to me that you can take a perfectly good shot of a sunrise / sunset by adjusting the normal camera settings and that you don't need to extend the exposure time. Thanks!
May 18, 2021 19:16:19 #
Haven’t tried it, but I understand you can use a graduated ND filter to darken the sky allowing details in the foreground to be seen more clearly.
Bill
Bill
May 18, 2021 20:05:48 #
May 18, 2021 20:08:58 #
Orphoto
Loc: Oregon
There are 2 basic types of ND filters, solid and graduated. Solid ones are used to extend the time for exposure, usually for moving subjects, like water or clouds. Most of the people you see out and about with giant filters in front of their lenses are using graduated NDs to try to balance exposures of things like sky and land.
Solid NDs are the same light blocking degree across the entire filter. Graduated ones usually are about a half and half arrangement with half being clear and and the other half some number of stops darker.
Solid NDs are the same light blocking degree across the entire filter. Graduated ones usually are about a half and half arrangement with half being clear and and the other half some number of stops darker.
May 18, 2021 20:27:39 #
May 19, 2021 06:19:47 #
ND filters help when trying to shoot long exposures with wide apertures. example: You won't be able to shoot a long exposure with a lens at a 1.8 aperture while trying to get a blurred background if the lighting is normal or bright.
They basically aid in clipping highlights and come in variable densities.
They basically aid in clipping highlights and come in variable densities.
May 19, 2021 06:52:43 #
tcthome
Loc: NJ
wjones8637 wrote:
Haven’t tried it, but I understand you can use a graduated ND filter to darken the sky allowing details in the foreground to be seen more clearly.
Bill
Bill
Which helps with the Dynamic range (bring the exposure values closer so you don't blow out the highlights & still get the shadow detail, if I understand it correctly. A reverse grad would be the one to get. A hard grad for oceans or a pretty straight horizon & soft grad for inland , varied horizon.
Most of the time I under expose , or expose for the highlights (even a little under exposed for that) & adjust to my liking in post.
May 19, 2021 08:59:27 #
photoman022
Loc: Manchester CT USA
the distinction between ND filters and graduated ND filters has been made very nicely, so all i have to add is: "Have a Great Day!"
May 19, 2021 09:39:58 #
A pleasure and goal of all of us is the 'capture' an image, and 'in that moment'.
I love HDR because it can capture an image that is closer to what our eye can resolve. It may not be perfect, and it isn't. But it is a step closer to what we can really see.
The ND filters also give us a chance to capture something that is difficult to see, otherwise. When I bought my first set, I went all over our city, looking for water falls and water fountains. The result was so pleasing. Use ND filters permits us to treat our eyes to something that we could not otherwise see.
I love HDR because it can capture an image that is closer to what our eye can resolve. It may not be perfect, and it isn't. But it is a step closer to what we can really see.
The ND filters also give us a chance to capture something that is difficult to see, otherwise. When I bought my first set, I went all over our city, looking for water falls and water fountains. The result was so pleasing. Use ND filters permits us to treat our eyes to something that we could not otherwise see.
May 19, 2021 10:45:52 #
This link might help explain use and differences for ND and GND filters.
https://photographylife.com/lens-filters-explained#:~:text=to%20avoid%20vignetting.-,Neutral%20Density%20(ND)%20vs%20Graduated%20Neutral%20Density%20(GND),made%20in%20a%20rectangular%20shape.
https://photographylife.com/lens-filters-explained#:~:text=to%20avoid%20vignetting.-,Neutral%20Density%20(ND)%20vs%20Graduated%20Neutral%20Density%20(GND),made%20in%20a%20rectangular%20shape.
May 19, 2021 11:40:11 #
The hopper wrote:
I am after some advice on ND filters. I know that ... (show quote)
A GRADUATED ND filter darkens the sun and sky, without affecting the foreground. The ones you can reposition over the lens (within reason) are most useful.
Regular ND filters are more useful to adjust overall exposure so you can use slower shutter speeds or wider apertures. They are especially useful for video filmmakers, who typically use 1/48 second (180° shutter angle) for 24.000 fps, and prefer to use wider apertures for shallow depth of field.
May 19, 2021 13:32:39 #
An ND filter allows me to use the full artistic range of the lens when in bright sunlight. You will find it a bit of a shock when you go to shoot models or landscape at the beach and you can't get the aperture below f4 or f8 even with shutter speed pegged at 8000 and iso turned down to 64.
May 19, 2021 14:54:40 #
I have used both solid and graduated filters and when it comes to horizons, the graduated ND makes super exposures bring out more details with clouds and lightens up the earth. Just explore....
May 19, 2021 15:21:33 #
Some people, not me personally, but some like to use long exposure to create movement in the clouds similar to moving water.
May 19, 2021 16:40:05 #
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