Neutral Density Filters

Comparison of two photos, one shot without an ND filter and one shot with an ND filter.

Neutral density filters come in various strengths or optical densities from blocking 1 stop of light to blocking out 10 or more stops of light passing through the camera lens. Each ND filter is given a notation of 2, 4, 8, 16, 32 and so on. The purpose of using ND filter is to achieve motion blur when using slow shutter speeds and are primarily used for shooting landscapes.

A 10 stop ND filter will block light by 10 stops and is known as ND 1024. So in this example, if the shutter of initial exposure was 1/125 second then attaching the 10 stop filter will block light by 10 stops so in order to avoid under exposure, we would need to adjust the shutter by 10 stops to get the proper balanced exposure.

Using ND filters require time and patience as some exposures can go over 8 minutes but all in all, it is a fun way to get creative.

• ND2 = 1 stop

• ND4 = 2×2 = 2 stops

• ND8 = 2x2x2 = 3 stops

• ND16= 2x2x2x2 = 4 stops

• ND32= 2x2x2x2x2 = 5 stops

• ND64= 2x2x2x2x2x2 = 6 stops

• ND128=2x2x2x2x2x2x2 = 7 stops