Tip #7 28/02/2011
If you don’t already own a ND (Neutral Density) filter then add one to the list
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(Hoya are a good make)
They help reduce the light that enters your camera, which results in letting you keep your shutter open for a longer period allowing you to capture motion blur during the day.
Usually if you wanted to capture motion I’ll use the sea for an example again
to create that smoky blurred water effect, you’d have to take the image during night/dark light so the camera lets you set a long exposure without it coming out way over exposed – bright/completely white .
With a ND Filter it will trick the camera’s sensor into thinking its allot darker than what it really is because the filter is blocking most of the light, Which then allows you to set your shutter speed slow allowing more time to create a blur.
My advice to you would be…. ‘Buy decent filters’ !
If you have the money it is well worth the extra, After all its the first thing your lens see’s and they can make the image look completely different with/without one. Also they come with a bonus, If your ever unfortunate enough to drop your lens the filter will protect the glass from braking too
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You may notice when searching for ND Filters you’ll see the letters ‘ND4 or ND8 etc’ this basically means the number after the ‘ND’ is how many stops of light it should reduce it buy. I made a little diagram showing you the ‘Stops’, Each number is a stop of light. ‘O’ Being exposed correctly ‘ – 1,2,3 etc ‘ meaning under exposed and ‘ + 1,2,3 etc’ overexposed.
Thats all for now, Thanks for reading and feel free to post any pictures of your own below
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