Neutral Density Filter
Why would you use a neutral density filter to get this effect?
Take a look at this photo.
The photographer claims to have used a neutral density filter to darken the sky. I thought polarizers did this. What is it that I don't understand?
David f is bang on the money Tutuhop, so I'll try to add a little info which may be of interest... you always seem to ask interesting questions.
I hope I am not being too pedantic if I mention that the ND is not a coloured filter though - it is neutral density, which means it is a neutral grey that adds density (darkness) to an image without otherwise impacting the colour, or in this case a specific area of an image.
The obviousness of a graduated filter effect can generally be made more subtle if you use a wider aperture and a longer lens, f4 or wider on a standard portrait lens would help to reduce the clear line you see a little. I like the shot actually and think the criticism is a little hard - you either like it or not and I reckon it's an effective image.
There are also special ND grad filters that have a built-in jagged edge which work spectacularly well at losing this fairly clearly defined filter effect, making a much more natural result. I recall one by Pro4 being very popular with social photographers. If you used one of these at f4 or f2.8 you'd get a very natural-looking result.
You can also get a similar effect if you shoot on Raw and then make 2 versions of the same image, one at the overal correct exposure and one underexposed to pull back the sky. If you overlay one over the other you can then selectively erase to get a more subtle and refined effect.
Polarisers work slightly differently, although the results look reasonably similar in terms of darkening skies, as our friend above said this would have primarily effected the sky and possibly the reflections on the water - but only if it was used at the correct angle to the sun, otherwise there could have been little or no difference in the final result.
I don't understand Brian's comment - it's quite clear which image areas are being effected by the ND grad in this case. You get the exposure right and use manual for your camera setting when using flash. After that you add flash at the required level. In this case it looks like it's primarily a flash exposure of the swan with the background saturated, i.e. underexposed at around -1 stop.
If I am using this technique I either use the flash at a level matching the aperture and ISO setting - or at -0.5. If there are any minor tweaks to exposure required I can then make them to my Raw file. If possible I meter the flash to make sure it is not being fooled by the ambient light so I can get it spot on in the first place...
Hope that helps - happy shooting!
 Tiffen 58mm Neutral Density 0.9 Filter List Price: Sale Price: $16.25 You save: $24.74 (60%)  Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days  |
 Tiffen 52mm Neutral Density 0.9 Filter List Price: Sale Price: $15.95 You save: $22.04 (58%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours |
 Polaroid Optics 58mm HD Multi-Coated Variable Range (ND3, ND6, ND9, ND16, ND32, ND400) Neutral Density (ND) Fader Filter - 6 Filters in 1! List Price: Sale Price: $34.99 You save: $5.00 (13%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours |
 Dolica CF-NDK77 77mm 0.3, 0.6, 0.9ND Neutral Density Filter Kit Sale Price: $45.27 Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours |
 Tiffen 77mm Neutral Density 0.9 Filter List Price: Sale Price: $39.90 You save: $59.09 (60%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days |
 Hoya 58mm HMC ND8 Multi-Coated Neutral Density Filter List Price: Sale Price: $26.25 You save: $18.50 (41%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days |
 Tiffen 52mm Color Graduated Neutral Density 0.6 Filter List Price: Sale Price: $43.99 You save: $31.00 (41%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours |
Dolica CF-NDK67 67mm 0.3, 0.6, 0.9ND Neutral Density Filter Kit List Price: Sale Price: $40.89 You save: $9.80 (19%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours |
 Tiffen 58mm Neutral Density 0.6 Filter List Price: Sale Price: $15.99 You save: $25.00 (61%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days |
|
Polaroid Optics 77mm HD Multi-Coated Variable Range (ND3, ND6, ND9, ND16, ND32, ND400) Neutral Density (ND) Fader Filter - 6 Filters in 1! List Price: Sale Price: $49.99 You save: $5.00 (9%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours |
Hoya ND400, 9 stop Neutral Density Filter ~ REVIEW
.
Find cool shopping deals for Neutral Density Filter, today.
 |
 Tiffen 66x66 ND9 Neutral Density Filter w Pouch $99.00 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 51m |
 Tiffen 77mm Neutral Density 12 ND 16 Filter Lens New $39.99 Time Remaining: 29d 16h 30m Buy It Now for only: $39.99 |
 POLAROID Camera Filter 77mm HD Multi Coated NEUTRAL DENSITY ND Variable Range $54.00 Time Remaining: 29d 6h 50m Buy It Now for only: $54.00 |
 52mm Fader filter lens ND neutral density ND2 ND400 for Nikon D5100 D3100 $17.57 Time Remaining: 1h 1m |
 Hoya Pro 1 Digital 77mm ND 32 Neutral Density AUTHORIZED HOYA USA DEALER $63.50 Time Remaining: 24d 8h 32m Buy It Now for only: $63.50 |
 6pcs Graduated Neutral Density ND Color filter set for Cokin P Series Camera LF3 $18.89 Time Remaining: 11h 42m Buy It Now for only: $18.89 |
 Square filter kit for Cokin P includes graduated ND2 ND4 ND8 neutral density $13.29 Time Remaining: 1h 1m |
 NEW 58mm Neutral Density ND2 Filter Double Thread 58 mm $3.34 Time Remaining: 7d 7h 13m Buy It Now for only: $3.34 |
 Tiffen 55mm Neutral Density 12 ND 16 Filter $15.95 Time Remaining: 27d 3h 6m Buy It Now for only: $15.95 |
 58mm 58 mm Neutral density ND filter kit ND2 ND4 ND8 for Canon 350D 500D $17.24 Time Remaining: 2h 17m |
 58mm Neutral Density 8x ND8 Filter Double Thread 58 mm New $3.35 Time Remaining: 28d 8h 29m Buy It Now for only: $3.35 |
 VIVITAR FILTERS 77MM UV+CPL Polarizer+ND8 FUNDAMENTAL Neutral Density FKND 77 $21.44 Time Remaining: 26d 3h 10m Buy It Now for only: $21.44 |
 58MM ND FILTER NEUTRAL DENSITY ND2 ND400 F T1I T2I T3I $20.69 Time Remaining: 2h 17m |
 Cokin U960 Graduated ND Neutral Density Z PRO Filter Kit Z121L Z121M Z121S $301.31 Time Remaining: 6d 4h 44m Buy It Now for only: $301.31 |
 FILTER ND2 TO ND400 58MM NEUTRAL DENSITY +CLEANING KIT $24.71 Time Remaining: 2h 17m |
 Slim 77mm Fader ND Filter Neutral Density ND2 to ND400 $23.85 Time Remaining: 13d 5h 29m Buy It Now for only: $23.85 |
 72mm ND Fader Neutral Density Adjustable Variable Filter ND2 to ND400 $14.38 Time Remaining: 28d 4h 16m Buy It Now for only: $14.38 |
 POLAROID 67MM NEUTRAL DENSITY VARIABLE FADER ND FILTER ND6 ND9 ND16 ND32 ND400 $35.00 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 2h 30m |
 POLAROID VARIABLE FADER ND 52mm NEUTRAL DENSITY FILTER $34.99 Time Remaining: 25d 14h 43m Buy It Now for only: $34.99 |
 POLAROID VARIABLE FADER ND 58mm NEUTRAL DENSITY FILTER $34.99 Time Remaining: 29d 58m Buy It Now for only: $34.99 |
 67MM Neutral density ND2 ND4 ND8 filter +lens hood +cap $18.99 Time Remaining: 2h 31m |
 58mm ND Fader Filter ND2 to ND1000 Neutral Density $38.99 Time Remaining: 15d 17h 33m Buy It Now for only: $38.99 |
 Tiffen 77mm NEUTRAL DENSITY ND 09 Lens Filter 77 mm $34.99 Time Remaining: 22d 7h 29m Buy It Now for only: $34.99 |
 Square filter ND8 neutral density full color for Cokin P Series $6.89 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 2h 31m |
 POLAROID 49MM NEUTRAL DENSITY VARIABLE FADER ND FILTER ND6 ND9 ND16 ND32 ND400 $39.99 Time Remaining: 29d 16h 9m Buy It Now for only: $39.99 |
 FILTER ND2 TO ND400 67MM NEUTRAL DENSITY + LENS PEN $25.29 Time Remaining: 2h 31m |
 Slim 58mm Fader ND Filter Neutral Density ND2 to ND400 $18.45 Time Remaining: 27d 12h 5m Buy It Now for only: $18.45 |
 HOYA 77mm HMC Neutral Density ND400 Filter NDx400 $108.90 Time Remaining: 7d 8h 24m Buy It Now for only: $108.90 |
 58 58mm Neutral density ND filter kit ND2 ND4 ND8 for Canon 600D T3i T3 $17.24 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 2h 31m |
 Tiffen 62mm ND8 09 Neutral Density 3 stop Filter 62ND9 USA Authorized Dealer $23.95 Time Remaining: 9d 5h 18m Buy It Now for only: $23.95 |
 3 pcs 3pcs Gradual ND2+ND4+ND8 Neutral Density Filter 3 case Kit for Cokin P $11.98 Time Remaining: 15d 4h 20m Buy It Now for only: $11.98 |
 Dolica CF NDK72 72mm 03 06 09ND Neutral Density Filter $36.00 Time Remaining: 2h 50m Buy It Now for only: $40.00 |
 77mm 77 mm ND 8 ND8 Neutral Density plexiglass Filter $5.69 Time Remaining: 1d 20h 8m Buy It Now for only: $5.69 |
 58mm 58 mm ND 8 ND8 Neutral Density plexiglass Filter $3.99 Time Remaining: 23d 11h 9m Buy It Now for only: $3.99 |
 POLAROID 72MM NEUTRAL DENSITY VARIABLE FADER ND FILTER ND6 ND9 ND16 ND32 ND400 $42.00 Time Remaining: 2h 55m Buy It Now for only: $49.99 |
 Fotga 62mm slim fader ND filter adjustable variable neutral density ND2 to ND400 $18.98 Time Remaining: 23d 13h 59m Buy It Now for only: $18.98 |
 77mm Hoya Variable Neutral Density Filter ND3 ND400 USA Authorized Dealer $199.90 Time Remaining: 28d 23h 51m Buy It Now for only: $199.90 |
 52MM ND FILTER NEUTRAL DENSITY ND2 ND400 DSLR CAMERA $18.04 Time Remaining: 2h 56m |
 New Landscape Neutral Density ND8 Gray Filter for Cokin P Series F3F $2.48 Time Remaining: 19d 5h 55m Buy It Now for only: $2.48 |
 SINGH RAY 4 X 6 inch NEUTRAL DENSITY 2 STOP 06 SOLID 100 X 150mm FILTER $120.00 Time Remaining: 3h 16m |
 POLAROID VARIABLE FADER ND 72mm NEUTRAL DENSITY FILTER $45.99 Time Remaining: 29d 14h 33m Buy It Now for only: $45.99 |
 Graduated Grey 58mm Graduated Neutral Density ND 58 mm Grey Filter Half Grey $4.21 Time Remaining: 27d 18h 24m Buy It Now for only: $4.21 |
 SINGH RAY GRAD ND NEUTRAL DENSITY 06 2 STOP SOFT STEP 4 x 6 inch FILTER $120.00 Time Remaining: 3h 21m |
 NewND2 + ND4 + ND8 67MM Neutral Density Filter 67 MM $11.62 Time Remaining: 1d 8h 4m Buy It Now for only: $11.62 |
 58mm Fader ND Filter Neutral Density ND2 to ND400 for Canon XT XTi T2i T1i $19.99 Time Remaining: 28d 56m Buy It Now for only: $19.99 |
 67mm Gradual Color Set Graduated Neutral Density ND Grey+blue+Orange for 67 lens $20.99 Time Remaining: 3h 55m |
 Hoya 77mm PRO1 NDx16 ND 16 Neutral Density Filter 77 mm Made In Japan Genuine $63.90 Time Remaining: 8d 4h 46m Buy It Now for only: $63.90 |
 67 67mm Neutral Density ND2 ND4 ND8 ND 2 4 8 Filter Set $18.98 Time Remaining: 6d 9h 49m Buy It Now for only: $18.98 |
 58mm Fader ND Filter ND2 to ND400 Neutral Density Variable Brand New $19.99 Time Remaining: 6h 23m |
 Slim 67mm Fader ND Filter Neutral Density ND2 to ND400 $19.99 Time Remaining: 27d 12h 5m Buy It Now for only: $19.99 |
 3 ND FILTER NEUTRAL DENSITY DISK INSERTs FOR Gopro hd Hero 1080p hero2 Camera $19.99 Time Remaining: 7h 49m |
 52mm Fader Variable ND Filter Neutral Density ND2 ND4 ND8 ND16 ND32 to ND400 $19.88 Time Remaining: 14d 9h 33m Buy It Now for only: $19.88 |
 VIVITAR SERIES 1 VNDX 77MM NEUTRAL DENSITY VARIABLE ND2 TO ND1000 FILTER NEW $99.95 Time Remaining: 1d 23h 53m Buy It Now for only: $99.95 |
 58mm FILTER KIT C PL+UV+ Neutral Density ND4+Lens Hood+Lens Cap Keeper $19.00 Time Remaining: 20h 31m Buy It Now for only: $24.99 |
 Variable Neutral Density ND 58mm fader filter adjustable from ND2 ND4 ND8 ND400 $45.29 Time Remaining: 29d 17h 37m Buy It Now for only: $45.29 |
 3pcs 52mm ND2 ND4 ND8 ND 2 4 8 Neutral Density Lens Filter Set for Nikon LF60 $8.99 Time Remaining: 12d 8h 2m Buy It Now for only: $8.99 |
 SONY ND8 37mm Neutral Density filter Perfect glass and thread NEVER USED $7.50 Time Remaining: 23h 34m Buy It Now for only: $15.00 |
 58mm GRAD ND FILTER GRADUATED NEUTRAL DENSITY NEW $15.99 Time Remaining: 16d 5h 5m Buy It Now for only: $15.99 |
 Slim 72mm Fader ND Filter Neutral Density ND2 to ND400 $22.90 Time Remaining: 27d 12h 5m Buy It Now for only: $22.90 |
 77MM 77 Lens neutral density ND2 ND4 ND8 + UV + CPL filter kit f SLR camera $28.02 Time Remaining: 1d 1h 11m |
 Vivitar 72mm Neutral Density Variable Fader NDX Filter ND2 to ND1000 VNDX 72 $42.95 Time Remaining: 18d 23h 11m Buy It Now for only: $42.95 |
 New Super Slim 58mm Fader Neutral Density ND Filter ND400 Optical Glass $17.00 Time Remaining: 9d 11h 36m Buy It Now for only: $17.00 |
 62mm Fader filter lens ND neutral density ND2 ND400 for Sony HVR V1U HDR FX7 $18.99 Time Remaining: 1d 1h 11m |
 Fotga 77mm slim fader ND filter adjustable variable neutral density ND2 to ND400 $24.64 Time Remaining: 23d 14h 8m Buy It Now for only: $24.64 |
 POLAROID 67MM NEUTRAL DENSITY VARIABLE FADER ND FILTER ND6 ND9 ND16 ND32 ND400 $35.00 Time Remaining: 1d 2h 30m Buy It Now for only: $45.99 |
 82mm ND Fader Filter ND2 to ND1000 Neutral Density $53.99 Time Remaining: 26d 21h 38m Buy It Now for only: $53.99 |
 Tiffen 67mm Neutral Density 12 ND 16 Filter $23.95 Time Remaining: 10d 5h 41m Buy It Now for only: $23.95 |
 58mm Fader filter lens ND neutral density ND2 ND400 for Canon XT XTi T2i T1i $18.99 Time Remaining: 1d 2h 31m |
 67 67mm Neutral Density ND2 ND4 ND8 ND 2 4 8 Filter Set $16.07 Time Remaining: 1d 16h 30m Buy It Now for only: $16.07 |
 67mm ND Fader Neutral Density Adjustable Variable Filter ND2 to ND400 $13.60 Time Remaining: 23d 2h 36m Buy It Now for only: $13.60 |
 72mm Fader filter lens ND neutral density ND2 ND400 for Canon XHA1 XHG1 XL2E $20.42 Time Remaining: 1d 2h 31m |
 Super Slim 77mm ND Filter Neutral Density ND400 Optical Glass $20.00 Time Remaining: 20d 5h 59m Buy It Now for only: $20.00 |
 52 mm Fader ND Filter Neutral Density ND2 to ND400 new $18.58 Time Remaining: 9d 11h 24m Buy It Now for only: $18.58 |
 POLAROID 67MM NEUTRAL DENSITY VARIABLE FADER ND FILTER ND6 ND9 ND16 ND32 ND400 $35.00 Time Remaining: 1d 3h 35m Buy It Now for only: $45.99 |
 Tiffen 58mm COLOR GRADUATED ND 06 Filter 58 mm Grad Neutral Density $43.40 Time Remaining: 27d 13h 50m Buy It Now for only: $43.40 |
 58MM Graduated neutral density gray filter + microfiber for Canon T2i T3i $7.59 Time Remaining: 1d 4h 27m Buy It Now for only: $8.39 |
 Cokin P Neutral Density ND Grad Filter Kit New Complete Free US Shipping $81.88 Time Remaining: 12d 23h Buy It Now for only: $81.88 |
 Tiffen 49mm Neutral Density 09 ND 8 Filter AUTHORIZED TIFFEN USA DEALER $15.95 Time Remaining: 26d 3h 51m Buy It Now for only: $15.95 |
 VARIABLE NEUTRAL DENSITY ND DIGITAL HIGH DEFINITION HD FILTER 72mm $9.71 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 1d 4h 30m |
 52mm 52mm Neutral Density ND4 Filter for 52mm lens of camera kit J016 $3.65 Time Remaining: 9d 10h 45m Buy It Now for only: $3.65 |
 ND16 Neutral Density Filter for Cokin P series New $3.94 Time Remaining: 3d 11h 41m Buy It Now for only: $3.94 |
 Rocketfish Multicoated Neutral Density Filter with 72mm step down ring RF NDF77S $6.81 Time Remaining: 1d 7h 2m |
 Slim 52mm Fader ND Filter Neutral Density ND2 to ND400 $17.56 Time Remaining: 15d 9h 39m Buy It Now for only: $17.56 |
 B+W Neutral Density ND 1000x 110 30 10stop Filter 77mm Made In Germany $107.90 Time Remaining: 28d 8h 16m Buy It Now for only: $107.90 |
 B+W Neutral Density ND 1000x 110 30 10stop Filter 77mm Made In Germany $85.00 Time Remaining: 1d 23h 6m |
 Lee Neutral Density 9 Graduated Soft Filter 6x4 Resin 9NDGS $94.90 Time Remaining: 28d 13h 32m Buy It Now for only: $94.90 |
 Tiffen 77mm Neutral Density Filter Kit ND 06 09 12 77NDK3 Authorized Dealer $114.95 Time Remaining: 17d 21h 50m Buy It Now for only: $114.95 |
 67mm Fader filter lens ND neutral density ND2 ND400 for Nikon 18 105mm D90 D300 $22.99 Time Remaining: 2d 1h 16m |
 Hoya 67mm NDX400 Neutral Density 27 Filter HMC Multi Coated A67ND400 BRAND NEW $69.99 Time Remaining: 28d 21h 4m Buy It Now for only: $69.99 |
 ND FILTER ND2 TO ND400 67MM NEUTRAL DENSITY $23.56 Time Remaining: 2d 1h 16m |
 Opteka 86mm HD Variable Neutral Density Fader ND Filter $39.95 Time Remaining: 1d 22h 55m Buy It Now for only: $39.95 |
 DHD NEW 52mm 52 mm Neutral Density ND 8 ND8 Filter $4.59 Time Remaining: 6d 11h 39m Buy It Now for only: $4.59 |
 67mm 67 mm Neutral density filter kit ND2 ND4 ND8 f Canon 7D 50D 17 85mm lens $17.09 Time Remaining: 2d 1h 16m |
 Tiffen 77mm Color Graduated Neutral Density 06 Filter $69.90 Time Remaining: 20d 6h 50m Buy It Now for only: $69.90 |
 ND4 Grey Neutral Density Filter for Cokin P series $4.29 Time Remaining: 12d 21h 44m Buy It Now for only: $4.29 |
 ND2 ND4 ND8 52mm 52 Neutral density filter kit for Nikon D60 D40 D40X D80 $13.29 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 2d 1h 16m |
 ND8 Neutral Density Filter for Cokin P series New $2.98 Time Remaining: 29d 8h 14m Buy It Now for only: $2.98 |
 52mm Neutral Density ND2 ND4 ND8 Filter for canon nikon $32.99 Time Remaining: 23d 17h 47m Buy It Now for only: $32.99 |
 ND2 ND4 ND8 58mm 58 Neutral density filter kit for Canon XT XTi T2i T1i $17.24 Time Remaining: 2d 1h 16m |
