CONTROL YOUR EXPOSURE
Use filters to manage exposure differences and for creative exposure effects
The use of filtration to hold back exposure has been a common practice amongst professional photographers for many years. On reflection, the creation of filters such as Neutral Density grads is far cleverer than it is often given credit for, probably because the concept is so straightforward. This simplicity can be a source of misconception, however, and many photographers who are unfamiliar with their usage can make mistakes when selecting filters.
There are so many types and variations of the humble ND filter that identifying which make and model is the best fit for a specific image can feel like a minefield. Just what is the difference between a fixed and variable ND? Why would you select a hard grad over a soft grad? And what on earth is the difference between a 0.9ND and an ND8?
Even once you have selected your filter, there can be some uncertainty about how this affects your camera work and how the camera will react to the addition of a translucent material to the front of the lens.
In some cases, no adjustment to the photographer’s workflow is needed, and shooting can continue as normal. But in other situations, with stronger filters, significant adaptation to metering and even composition can be necessary, for the best results.
Even if you are an experienced digital photographer, it can be easy to overlook the role of hardware filters in exposure control, and therefore lack experience in applying them in a variety of settings. On this spread, we’ll look at how to refine your ND filter workflow and how to understand the way these filters control light transmittance.