Neutral Density Filters: How To Use For Better Photos

Want to know more about how neutral density filters can improve your landscape photography? These top tips will have you master long exposures and start taking better photos today!

But what are neutral density filters, and how can you use them to improve your photography?

In this article, you will learn everything you need to know about Neutral Density (ND) filters to get started.

We will cover what they are, recommended ND filters you need in your kit, and tips on how to use them for maximum impact.

Before we get started, I wanted to share my FREE Landscape Photography Toolkit with you.

It’s packed with practical tips and checklists to help you capture beautiful scenes with more confidence, starting NOW!

Promotional graphic for a 'Landscape Photography Toolkit' featuring a sunset view of a lighthouse. The toolkit includes an Exposure Quick Start Guide, 7 Practical Checklists & Info Sheets, and an On-The-Go Camera Settings Cheat Sheet. A 'Free Download' badge is present, and a button at the bottom reads 'Send Me The Toolkit'.

What Is A Neutral Density Filter?

Ever looked at a landscape photograph with smoothly flowing water or stretched-out clouds and wondered about the magic behind it?

A lot of that magic can be credited to Neutral Density (ND) Filters. When I delved deeper into landscape photography, these became indispensable tools in my kit.

My introduction to neutral density filters was during a photography tour to Tasmania – I duly purchased them before the tour and had no idea why – another case of all the gear and no idea for me!

But, my mind was blown on our first shoot when we visited Mortimer Bay for a sunset shoot and I was able to create this image just below.

It is an exposure of 30 seconds, something I had no idea was even possible. I’ve since taken much longer exposures using neutral density filters, but it was this experience that had me hooked.

A calm scene of a fence extending into the water, under a cloudy sky with soft, diffused lighting, highlighting the use of neutral density filters to smooth the water's surface — The first image I created using Neutral Density Filters

At its core, an ND filter acts as a light-reducing agent. Think of it like sunglasses for your camera. It selectively reduces the amount of light that enters the lens without altering the colours. This is pivotal for landscape photographers like us.

Why? Because in brightly lit conditions, capturing movement becomes challenging. If you’ve tried photographing a cascading waterfall on a sunny day, you know the struggle.

Too much light means shorter exposure times, which doesn’t allow for capturing that beautiful, silky water effect. Here’s where the Neutral Density filter steps in.

By limiting light, it permits longer exposure durations even in broad daylight, enabling us to record motion in a dreamy, surreal manner.

In essence, ND filters give landscape photographers a broader artistic canvas. They allow us to manipulate time in our photographs, capturing the dance of clouds, the journey of rivers, or the serenity of a tranquil lake in ways our eyes can’t perceive but our cameras can capture.

A landscape photo showcasing a dramatic coastal scene with rocky cliffs and smooth ocean waters under a dynamic sky, achieved using a neutral density filter for a long exposure effect — This exposure of nearly 3 minutes was only possible by using Neutral Density Filters

Diving into landscape photography, you might hear about various types of neutral density filters.

Each has its unique role, and understanding them can make a big difference in your shots. Let’s break them down:

Solid Neutral Density Filters

These are the straightforward ones. Fixed neutral density filters reduce light in a consistent way, no matter where or how you use them. They’re great for times when you want to capture moving water or clouds, giving your photos that dreamy look.

Graduated Neutral Density Filters

Imagine a filter that’s darker at the top and gradually becomes clear at the bottom. That’s the graduated neutral density filter.

Perfect for scenes where the sky is bright but the ground isn’t – like during a sunrise or sunset. It helps balance the photo so both the sky and land look just right.

Using neutral density filters can add a touch of magic to your landscape photos. While each type has its use, the fun part is trying them out and seeing the results for yourself.

Infographic titled 'Filters for Landscape Photography' showing three types of filters: Neutral Density (ND), Graduated ND (GND), and Circular Polarisers (CPL). Each filter type is described along with images of the filters

When To Use A Neutral Density Filter

So you understand the benefits of using a neutral density filter, but you might be wondering about the right moments to actually put it to use.

From capturing the movement in waterfalls and clouds to taking advantage of the golden hours at sunrise and sunset, knowing when to use your neutral density filter is crucial for achieving stunning landscape photos.

Let’s explore some of these key situations.

Silky Waterfalls and Streams

Neutral density filters are your go-to when you want to transform rushing water into a smooth, ethereal flow.

A slower shutter speed allows you to capture the water’s movement, creating that silky, dreamy effect often seen in professional landscape photographs of waterfalls and streams.

A beautiful waterfall cascading over rocky ledges surrounded by lush greenery, with smooth water effects created using a long exposure technique with neutral density filters — A local waterfall: One of my favourites

Smooth Ocean Surfaces

For ocean landscapes, a neutral density filter can help you achieve a serene, glass-like surface, smoothing out waves and ripples. This creates a calming effect, allowing the viewer to focus on other elements like rocks, boats, or the horizon.

Blurred Cloud Movement

If you’re aiming to capture the sky’s ever-changing drama, a neutral density filter enables longer exposures that make clouds appear to streak or flow. This adds a dynamic layer to your skyscape, emphasising the passage of time and movement.

Sunrises and Sunsets

Neutral density filters are invaluable during sunrise and sunset, helping you manage the contrast between the bright sky and darker land.

Longer exposures can also capture the colours transitioning through the sky, enhancing the ethereal quality of the ‘golden hours.’

A stunning sunrise over a calm lake with a wooden pier extending into the water. The sky is filled with vibrant colors, reflected in the water, creating a serene and picturesque scene

Scenic Snapshot Using Neutral Density Filters

Scenario	Effect	Suggested Filters	Tips
Waterfalls and Streams	Silky, flowing water	ND8, ND16	Use a tripod to eliminate camera shake. Aim for a shutter speed of 0.5-2 seconds so there’s still some texture.
Ocean with waves	Smooth ocean surface, blurring waves	ND64, ND1000	Ensure stability against winds and keep an eye on tides.
Moving clouds	Streaky or blurred clouds showing movement	ND64, ND1000	Longer exposures make clouds more streaky. Take notice of how fast the clouds are moving.
Sunrise/Sunset	Smoothing water, or streaking clouds; reducing glare	ND8 up to ND1000	Check exposure regularly as light levels change rapidly during these times.
Busy public places	Blur or erase people/crowds through moving scene	ND1000	Especially useful for locations where you want to remove tourists from your shot.
Reflections	Reduce reflections on water surfaces	ND1000	Usually a job for a polariser, a filter can help to remove any unwanted glare.
Daytime long exposures	Dramatic sky and cloud movement or soft flowing water	ND1000	Look for elements that remain static to contrast with moving objects.
Shooting with wide apertures	Achieve shallow depth of field in bright conditions	ND8	Helps avoid overexposing the shot when using wide apertures in bright light.

Note: The ND filter numbers like ND8 and ND1000 etc represent the filter’s optical density and the amount of light they cut out. For instance, an ND8 filter cuts out 3 stops of light, allowing 1/8th of the available light to pass through, while an ND1000 filter cuts out 10 stops of light allowing only 1000/th of the available light through.

Always remember to use a sturdy tripod when shooting with neutral density filters to ensure sharp images!

Check out my favourite tripod here: Sirui Tripod Kit

Using Neutral Density Filters: Step-By-Step in the Field

So you’re familiar with the ‘why’ and ‘when,’ but what about the ‘how’?

Understanding how to use ND filters for landscape photography is the final piece of the puzzle.

This section will walk you through a step-by-step process, ensuring you’re well-equipped to capture those mesmerising landscape shots.

Cathedral Rock

Preparing Your Gear

Before you head out, make sure you have all the equipment you’ll need: your camera, a selection of neutral density filters, a sturdy tripod, and any lens attachments. It’s a good idea to also bring along some lens cleaning supplies just in case.

Setting Up the Tripod

Once you’ve found your ideal location, set up your tripod on a stable surface. Ensure it’s level and all the locks are tightened. This prevents camera shake and makes sure you get those crisp images.

Framing the Shot

Mount your camera on the tripod and compose your shot through the viewfinder or the LCD screen.

Take your time to get the framing just right, as it’s the backbone of a great photograph.

Coastal scene at sunrise with a watchtower on a rocky outcrop, accompanied by the text "Top Composition Techniques for Better Landscape Photos" at the bottom.

Taking a Test Shot

Before you start messing with filters and settings, take a test shot at a regular exposure to review your composition, focus, and current settings.

It serves as a benchmark for the following steps.

Choose Your Filter

Based on your test shot, decide which neutral density filter will best achieve the effect you’re going for, be it silky water or blurred clouds. Insert the filter into its holder or screw it onto the lens.

Adjust Your Camera Settings for a Long Exposure

Now’s the time to adjust your camera settings. Switch to manual mode, set your aperture, and choose a low ISO for better image quality.

Calculate New Shutter Speed

Now, don’t get stressed thinking you have to have a maths degree to work this out.

There are lots of handy apps out there that do all of this for you.

All you do is choose the original shutter time (without your filter), the strength of the filter you’ve chosen and the app tells you what your new shutter speed is.

This is my go to app for this and it’s free: Nisi ND Exposure Calculator

Take The Photo

With everything set, it’s time to take your shot. Use a remote shutter or the camera’s self-timer to avoid any camera shake. Capture the image and breathe in the satisfaction of a job well done.

Review, Adjust, Repeat as Necessary

Check your photo for focus, exposure, and composition. If something’s off, adjust your settings and try again. This is a learning process, so don’t rush.

Table titled 'Shutter Speeds with Neutral Density Filters: A Quick Guide' comparing shutter speeds and effects with and without filters for various situations like waterfalls, ocean waves, moving clouds, sunrises and sunsets, vehicle movement, and busy public places — Save this handy guide to your device so you have it ready whenever you’re out shooting

Using Graduated Neutral Density Filters

We mentioned graduated neutral density filters earlier, but when is the optimal time to use them? These particular filters excel in situations with uneven lighting – such as a luminous sky juxtaposed against a darker foreground like mountains or fields.

When to Use Them

These filters come into their own during sunrise and sunset photography. The sky is often significantly brighter than the land, creating a challenge in achieving a balanced exposure. They’re also invaluable in mountainous terrains, where the sky takes up a large portion of your frame and runs the risk of becoming overexposed.

How to Use Them

Setting up a graduated neutral density filter is straightforward but requires attention to detail.

One half is tinted, and the other is transparent. Your task is to align the tinted half with the brighter section of your composition – most often the sky.

This action balances the exposure between the sky and the foreground, achieving a uniformly lit image.

It’s a good practice to continually adjust the filter as lighting conditions shift, keeping an eye on your camera’s viewfinder or LCD screen to fine-tune the setup.

Collage image showing various types of filters including a hand holding a filter over a camera lens, different circular filters, and square filters. Text reads 'Filters' multiple times in pink

Recommended Neutral Density Filters to Get Started

If you’re just diving into the world of long-exposure landscape photography, choosing the right neutral density filters can be a daunting task. Here are some recommendations to help ease you into it.

If you do decide to purchase filters for your photography, consider purchasing a good quality starter kit. I would recommend either the magnetic filters or the square system with a holder.

While cheap options may seem like a good option to start with, they can cause a colour cast on your images, and you will want to upgrade in no time.

It is a good investment if you’re keen on your landscape photography. I honestly wouldn’t be without mine.

Check out my recommended Nisi Filter Kit Here: Nisi Filter Kit

Conclusion

This article was all about Using Neutral Density Filters To Improve Your Landscape Photos

So, there you have it – a comprehensive guide to using neutral density filters in landscape photography.

From the types of filters and their applications to a detailed step-by-step guide for field use, we’ve covered the essentials.

And let’s not forget those handy tips on choosing the right filter strength for various scenes.

Whether you’re aiming for ethereal waterfalls, dramatic cloud movement, or just want to keep overexposure at bay, neutral density filters can be your go-to tool to elevate your landscape shots to the next level.

But hey, the world of photography is ever-evolving, and there’s always more to learn.

Thanks for reading, and here’s to capturing those awe-inspiring landscapes!

That’s it for now – Keep clicking

Neutral Density Filters: How To Use For Better Photos