Tag Archives: singhray

Why an ND Filter?

After my sabbatical studying water, I spent many days using my variable ND filter. ND filters, otherwise known as “neutral density” filters attach to the front of your lens and darken the exposure. So, on bright days, slowing the shutter to capture “milky” water is possible. My first ND filter was a variable ND filter, allowing 1-5 stops darkening. Recently, I purchased the Singh-Ray Mor-Slo ND filter with 15-stop darkening and love it. These filters do require a little practice since focusing is done before you screw on the filter. Otherwise, the learning curve is short and here are a few examples from my recent Watson Lake workshop.

Image Left: In mid-day light without any filters with exposure f/16, 1/125 sec and ISO 200.  
Image Right: With the same light, I put on my Singh-Ray Mor-Slo 15-stop filter with exposure  f/16, 8 minutes and ISO 200.  

Something to try: capture images in black and white to add drama to an image. Check out these two images shooting straight into the sun.

Image Left: In morning light without any filters with exposure  f/16, 1/8000 sec and ISO 200.  
Image Right: With the same light, I put on my Singh-Ray Mor-Slo 15-stop filter with exposure f/16, 8 seconds and ISO 200.  

If you are looking for a change with your water photography, consider a neutral density filter, but most importantly, have fun. And, if you are interested in a Singh-Ray ND filter (or any filters), use code Amy10 for 10% off their filters at https://singh-ray.com/.