Using a ND filter for long exposure

 5D Mk IV, EF24-70 f/2.8 L  II, f11, 53mm, 30 sec

Processed  in Lightroom for monochrome and split toned.

When imaging a scene with lenticular clouds like this one, I like to use a long exposure to exaggerate their circular rotation. Here I used a Lee 6 stop ND filter to extend the exposure time to 30 sec. Instead of the wispy clouds, I got more of the circular motion of the whole storm system.

This was predawn light, so my original exposure would have been a couple of seconds at f/11, not long enough to get the full range of motion. The below image was a similar exposure taken after the sun came up and the exposure time difference with the same setup was 27.5 seconds, for a 2.5 sec exposure.

5D Mk IV, EF24-70 f/2.8 L  II, f11, 70mm, 2.5 sec

Of course its all a matter of personal taste, I happen to like both, I also have a shot at normal exposure speeds without an ND filter and like those as well. This is just one example of the use of an ND filter and why they should be in every landscape photographers bag.

Ross

Images In Light

Capturing Atmosphere

5D Mk III, 24-79 f/2.8 L II, Lee Little stopper
f/11 at 2 sec

This was an interesting scene, when we arrived it was a hazy/foggy late evening and the atmosphere was not something I thought I was going to be able to catch, often times unsettled air does not allow for good images. Here I feel like I was able to capture the atmosphere of that moment and the long exposure helped, giving it a more dreamy look with the blurred waves.

Ross

Images In Light

Long Exposure in bright light

5D Mk III, EF 24-70 f/2.8 L II, 35mm, 8 sec at f/16, Lee Big Stopper

Larger Image

Shot mid day with the Lee Big Stopper, 10 stop neutral density filter. I was hoping for faster moving clouds to achieve the look I wanted, but this was a decent start. I will try some more in San Francisco in the next few weeks.

Its pretty cool to be able to shoot so slow on such a bright afternoon, it opens new doors and gives one a chance to try some new technique's.

The Big Stopper requires the Foundation kit to use.

Ross

Images In Light

Adjusting White Balance

 Image: 5D Mk III, EF 24-70 f/2.8, 44mm at f/9, 30 sec
Global adjustment to 9107K

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Original White Balance of 5950K, camera set to auto white balance

Global adjustment to 9107K local adjustment in Lightroom to sky of -28

I'm always pushing the merits of shooting RAW and white balance is a another reason to do so, the temperature of color is basically a layman's description and it can really only be adjusted in RAW. Light varies in temperature from cool to warm , an example would be LED light, compared to tungsten or midday sun to sunset, some times a camera can get fooled and that happens a lot with mixed light, similar to the above images that have the remaining light from the sun and the light from the bulbs on the pier.

A lot of cameras don't do well with indoor lighting and often have to be adjusted for white balance, our homes and offices are a mix of different light types and cameras get fooled more often than not in these situations. Shooting RAW and adjusting in post is the best way to get the right color from your system.

Ross

Images In Light

Barns And Wheat Fields

Image: Canon S95

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Image: 5D Mk II, 8-15 f 4 L, 15mm at f11 for 1/15 sec

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Image: 5D Mk II, 24-70 f 2.8 L, 24mm at f5 for 30 sec

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Image: 5D Mk II, 24-70 f 2.8 L, 27mm at f8 for 30 sec

Larger Image

This was a fun shoot and one I've been wanting to try, some old barns, abandoned years ago and falling apart, out in the middle of a wheat field. My original thought was to shoot the barns and the wheat fields, but it turned in to a night shoot when not much came out of the evening light. The wide shot was done with Canons new 8-15 f4 L Fish eye lens, (borrowed) a fun lens, but maybe a bit narrow use.

The big dipper shows up in the darker image, view larger to see it. The B and W image was done by highlighting the barn with a flashlight during the exposure (painting with light), both where hard to obtain focus, but the results are quite interesting.

Ross

Images In Light