Thursday 10 July 2008

Long exposure in full daylight with the Hoya ND 400 filter

Full Mediterranean colors
Full Mediterranean colors large view


The Hoya ND 400 filter is a ND (neutral density) filter which reduces the light entering the lens by 9 f stops. That means that exposure time is multiplied by 512. In other words if your shutter speed without any filter was 1/30s, with the filter the shutter speed will be around 17s.

As you could notice, for this springtime i do many seascapes, mostly with long exposures. Without any filters, such exposure times are only possible some few moments at dawn and dusk time. The ND 400 is a good tool to increase the time available for long exposures and such shots with scenes a little more lightned can be beautiful and unusual.
Of course, with or without filter, shooting scapes at noon won't give stunning images but a strong ND filter can open some creative doors to capture beautiful lights with an unusual style.

Last point : The ND 400 is a very dark piece of glass (i could say black) and when it's on the lens you don't see anything in the viewfinder. So it's not for point and shot photography. You have to set up the tripod and the camera, frame without filter, lock everything on the tripod, install the filter, shoot, remove the filter and so on.

5 comments :

Anonymous said...

the ND400 is a nice filter, i think you will have fun with it.
You are correct that blue sky days are not conducive to nice landscape photos but with a little weather all sorts of opportunities open up.
Another place I like to slow things down is street photography. If you want some fun with your new toy I would recommend trying some city shots of areas that are full of people and activity.. If you can slow the shot down enough the people disappear leaving you an interestingly empty street shot.

Jinghui said...

Very beautiful landscape !

Nice to know another landscape photographer and I enjoy viewing your photos !

JH

Anonymous said...

Oh my goodness gracious! What a beautiful, beautiful picture! Beautiful, Beautiful, beautiful!

Anonymous said...

Wow! Wish my photos looked this good.

Anonymous said...

the time to take photo you preferred is cool. dawn and coming of darkness are the best times for landscape photographers. that these times are the only times which donate you smooth, warm bright and soft shade that give professional quality lighting for photograph of scenery

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