Critique wanted Tested my ND filter

[Jack]

Location

Europe

Camera type

DSLR camera

Camera sensor

APS-C (Crop)

EXIF

Canon 7D M2
Canon 24-70mm f2.8 II L
ND filter
Manfrotto Tripod

F11
20 seconds
ISO 100

I've tested my ND filter last week, and so far happy with results. Is that possible to achieve even better results?

 

[Chavezshutter]

As a landscape shot its good. The longer exposure allowed a lot of colours and texture to soak in and the water got a nice long exposure smoothing. If you look at the end of the wooden barrier closest to the pier you can see where the ND filter is doing its job well. Maybe isolating these areas and trying a fine art seascape which is simplified and minimalistic (often B&W) may work well for this landscape but that's just one approach which jumps out for me in this area and a ND filter. On another note, straighten that horizon too 😅

 

[Jack]

As a landscape shot its good. The longer exposure allowed a lot of colours and texture to soak in and the water got a nice long exposure smoothing. If you look at the end of the wooden barrier closest to the pier you can see where the ND filter is doing its job well. Maybe isolating these areas and trying a fine art seascape which is simplified and minimalistic (often B&W) may work well for this landscape but that's just one approach which jumps out for me in this area and a ND filter. On another note, straighten that horizon too 😅

Thanks, I will try again , just need to find the right location to use it. Also, if you check the clouds, they are not as smooth as on others who use ND filter, should I set for more seconds?

 

[panos_adgr]

What a beautiful scenery Jack !

I wish I could visit this place!
You 've done an excellent job Jack!
Some things that are very very important are;
Focus well and carefully before you take your shot.
The best thing is to focus without the ND and then lock the focus or disable it.
I usually focus and then turn the AF switch on the lens to M position (manual / off)
Always turn the image stabilization off!
And keep your camera ultra steady!

The rest are practice.

 

[Chavezshutter]

Thanks, I will try again , just need to find the right location to use it. Also, if you check the clouds, they are not as smooth as on others who use ND filter, should I set for more seconds?

If its a very still day you may need longer shutter times. The variables are how fast are the clouds moving, how still is the water and how much smoothing you want.

 

[Jack]

If its a very still day you may need longer shutter times. The variables are how fast are the clouds moving, how still is the water and how much smoothing you want.

I just did a picture yesterday at 30 second, the results are stunning. Will share the photo later . But yes, agree , if clouds are moving faster, then the results could be better.

 

[Guest 183]

Jack have you tried comparing the same shot with and without the filter to look for colour casts. To me this image looks as though the cyan is a little strong. However this could be: what was actually happening; how you like processing your seascapes; a colour cast produced by the ND filter; a quirk produced with auto white balance and the ND filter. I like the image and the shutter speed that you have used softening the water but leaving some detail. When I shoot moving water I often take the same image with widely varying shutter speeds and blend parts of them together. I do this with rivers and waterfalls 90% of the time and about 50% with seascapes. This requires more than 1 ND, I have 3; 3, 6 and 10 stops. Oh lastly your horizon is down on the left. Ken

 

[Jack]

Jack have you tried comparing the same shot with and without the filter to look for colour casts. To me this image looks as though the cyan is a little strong. However this could be: what was actually happening; how you like processing your seascapes; a colour cast produced by the ND filter; a quirk produced with auto white balance and the ND filter. I like the image and the shutter speed that you have used softening the water but leaving some detail. When I shoot moving water I often take the same image with widely varying shutter speeds and blend parts of them together. I do this with rivers and waterfalls 90% of the time and about 50% with seascapes. This requires more than 1 ND, I have 3; 3, 6 and 10 stops. Oh lastly your horizon is down on the left. Ken

Hi Ken, unfortunately I didn't had a chance to make a picture here without filter. It was more like a quick long exposure photo. Just a test.

When I shoot moving water I often take the same image with widely varying shutter speeds and blend parts of them together. I do this with rivers and waterfalls 90% of the time and about 50% with seascapes.

Can you please elaborate this? I'm not that professional in long exposure field.