Page 7 - OUTDOOR

A NEW standard in neutral-density glass fi lters

Canon 5Ds, 24-70mm f/4L at 42mm,
ISO 200, 480 seconds at f/8.0
When the weather is overcast and dull, one option is to try long exposure minimalism
and the Old Pier at Swanage in Dorset is a great subject, with its decaying wooden ProGlass 4.5 IRND (15-stop),
posts surrounded by empty sea. Why long exposures? Well, with seascapes, a long 0.6 ND medium grad (2-stop)
exposure will smooth out the texture of both water and sky, simplifying the scene

(RAW file – unprocessed)
further and enhancing their use as negative space in the composition.
I wanted to smooth the water to a completely glassy surface, so I selected a ProGlass
4.5 (15-stop) IRND. With some adjustment of aperture and ISO, I was able to get an
exposure of 8 minutes - any longer would have smoothed the clouds too much. A

0.6ND (two-stop) medium grad added some drama to the sky and the final result had
just the look I was after.

The colours are really neutral, which is remarkable for such a dense filter and there is
a superb clarity and evenness of exposure across the frame. The other great feature
of this filter is that its stated stop value is absolutely spot on, so calculating long

exposures is no problem. It should be no surprise that these filters now have a

permanent place in my kit bag.

Mark Bauer
markbauerphotography.com

leefi lters.com

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