Neutral density filters can transform your photography in ways you’d never imagine. Check out this side by side comparison of a photo taken at the same location with and without a long exposure:
What a sunset and a long exposure time does for your picture. (Via Imgur. Click image to see full size.)
The photographer used a 10-stop solid ND filter to capture the details in the shadow area while retaining a lot of details in the sky. The long exposure helped him to capture motion blur both in the water and the clouds. Along with the filter, his camera settings were f/11, 141 seconds, and ISO 100.
Though some post-processing may have been involved, this is still some transformation, isn’t it? It really goes to show what a ND filter and waiting for the golden hour can do for your imagery.
Like This Article?
Don't Miss The Next One!
Join over 100,000 photographers of all experience levels who receive our free photography tips and articles to stay current:
The idea is interesting to use a ND filter here, but there is a real drawback with this technique.
As a awarded travel photographer who shot countless sunsets, the ND Filter can block the focus ability of some cameras, so you have to focus manually and the live view of modern cameras won’t be of any help.
So sometimes, it’s more efficient to raise the f number and choose a more intersting camera with nice D-range.
Any recommendations for ND filters? I have been using the Formatt-Hitech Firecrest ones with a Lee filter holder :)