Filters Mastery ND GND Photography Practice Assignment

Filters Mastery ND GND

This assignment focuses on mastering the use of Neutral Density (ND), Graduated Neutral Density (GND), and Polarizer filters to enhance your photography. You will learn how to manipulate exposure and colors effectively using these filters in various shooting conditions.

Learning Objectives

  • Understand the different types of filters and their effects on exposure and color.
  • Learn to use ND filters for long exposure photography and to create motion blur.
  • Utilize GND filters to balance exposure between the sky and the foreground.
  • Employ Polarizer filters to reduce glare and enhance colors in landscape photography.

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Before You Shoot

  • Select a suitable location that benefits from filter use, such as a landscape with contrasting elements.
  • Ensure you have a sturdy tripod to stabilize your camera for long exposures.
  • Familiarize yourself with your filter set and practice attaching them to your lens.
  • Set your camera to Aperture Priority or Shutter Priority mode.
  • Fix your ISO to 200 to maintain consistent exposure across different lighting conditions.

The Assignment

Technical Focus

  • Use ND filters to achieve longer exposure times without overexposing your image.
  • Incorporate GND filters to control the brightness difference between the sky and ground.
  • Adjust your aperture for depth of field while letting the camera manage shutter speed.
  • Utilize Polarizer filters to increase color saturation and contrast in your images.
  • Experiment with various strengths of ND filters to see their impact on exposure.

Creative Focus

  • Capture flowing water in a river or waterfall using ND filters to create a silky effect.
  • Use GND filters during sunrise or sunset to prevent blown-out highlights.
  • Frame a scene where reflections in water can be enhanced using a Polarizer filter.
  • Experiment with landscape compositions that take advantage of enhanced colors from Polarizer filters.
  • Create abstract images by using long exposures with ND filters to blur moving subjects.

Assignment Tasks

  1. Use ND filters to photograph a waterfall in Aperture Priority mode at f/11 with ISO 200 fixed, allowing the camera to set the shutter speed for a smooth water effect.
  2. Shoot a landscape during golden hour with a GND filter in Shutter Priority mode at 1/125s with ISO 200 fixed, letting the camera adjust aperture for balanced exposure.
  3. Capture a vibrant sky with a Polarizer filter in Aperture Priority mode at f/8 with ISO 200 fixed, allowing the camera to set the shutter speed.
  4. Photograph a busy street scene using ND filters to achieve motion blur while in Shutter Priority mode at 1/60s with ISO 200 fixed.
  5. Use a GND filter to photograph a sunset over a lake in Aperture Priority mode at f/16 with ISO 200 fixed, letting your camera adjust the shutter speed to maintain depth of field.
  6. Create a series of images that showcase the difference polarizing can make in colors and reflections, using Aperture Priority mode at f/5.6 with ISO 200 fixed.

💡 Stretch Tasks

  • Combine the use of both ND and GND filters in a single shot during the daytime, ensuring proper exposure using Aperture Priority mode.
  • Create a time-lapse video of a sunset using ND filters to control exposure, while switching between different filter strengths.

DO / DON'T

DO

  • ✓ Do experiment with different filter strengths to see their effects on exposure.
  • ✓ Do practice setting your camera to the correct mode before shooting with filters.
  • ✓ Do use a tripod for stability, especially in low light situations.
  • ✓ Do take test shots to check for exposure and composition before finalizing your shot.
  • ✓ Do clean your filters before use to avoid unwanted spots or haze in your images.

DON'T

  • ✗ Don't forget to check the histogram to ensure you are not overexposing your images.
  • ✗ Don't use filters in inappropriate lighting conditions that could lead to poor results.
  • ✗ Don't manually set all three exposure variables; use priority modes instead.
  • ✗ Don't neglect to consider the effect of filters on autofocus performance.
  • ✗ Don't rush your settings; take time to adjust and compose your shot correctly.

Reflection Questions

  • How did using filters change your perception of light and color in your images?
  • What challenges did you face when using ND or GND filters, and how did you overcome them?
  • In what situations do you think you would most benefit from using a Polarizer filter?
  • How did the experience of using filters influence your creative process while shooting?

📚 Related Reading

Before you start, read these related blog posts to deepen your understanding:

For Foundation Plus members: Submit 3 images from this assignment for personalised feedback in your next Zoom session. You should upload to the shared Dropbox folder - link provided by Alan when you joined Foundation Plus.

Alan RangerTechnical Foundations