Digital Camera World - UK (2019-12)

46 DIGITAL CAMERA^ DECEMBER 2019 http://www.digitalcameraworld.com

COMPOSE YOUR

SHOT FIRST

1

Just the same as when

you use an ND grad

filter, you need to compose

your image before

attaching your ND filter so

you can decide what kind

you might wish to use. I’m

a fan of x6 and x10 filters.

Once you put your filter

on, it’ll be more difficult

to compose.

HOW TO USE AN ND FILTER

KEEP THE ND

FILTER CLOSE

2

If you’re using a filter

holder system, make

sure that your ND filter is

in the slot closest to your

camera lens. This might

mean you have to shuffle

a few things around, but

it means you’ve got less

chance of light leaks

during your long exposure.

CONTROL YOUR

EXPOSURE TIME

3

I recommend shooting

in Bulb mode where

you can control the length

of the exposure with either

a remote or, in my case, a

touchscreen. There are lots

of apps available to help

you work on the right

length of the exposure

depending on the

shooting conditions.

PRO ADVICE

POINTS OF INTEREST

(^1) Movement: When the sky is moody like this and
the wind is up, it can make for some really interesting
movement in the sky.^2 Light: There’s some strong side
light coming in and hitting the cliffs, which I’ve used
to pull the viewer into the scene.^3 Rule of Thirds:
I’ve positioned the famous three cliffs towards the right
of the image, so it’s where the viewer eventually ends up.
(^4) Reflections: The shot’s taken at a low angle, and I have
used a circular polariser to bring out the reflections in the
incoming tide.
SHOOT SUPER SEASCAPES
3
4
1
2
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SETTING UP TO GO SLOW
WITH AN ND FILTER
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exposure – and this lens filter makes that possible
ne of the most versatile tools you can have when
you’re capturing images of water is the neutral-
density filter. This is a solid, dark plate of glass
that’s often square in size and fits into a filter holder.
(Some designs are circular and screw directly
onto your lens.) The idea behind the ND filter is to increase
the amount of time it takes to let light into the lens.
An ND filter enables you to capture the movement of time in
one single image. Long exposures, as they are generally known,
can range from a few seconds to many minutes, depending
on the strength of the glass you’re using and the time of day.
The results can be creatively satisfying, especially if you’re
looking for a new edge to your photography.
ND filters can be particularly useful when you’re photographing
bodies of water, especially the sea. Extending the time of an
exposure when you photograph at the coast gives the impression
of movement, which can give an artistic feel to an image. Longer
exposures will give the water a milky quality, almost like mist,
whereas shorter exposures can provide some lovely ‘swooshery’
to an image as the tide rolls in and out.
O