Milky Waters

[robdavis305]

Ive seen the posted pics of the water that looks milky and I know that it done with a neutral density filter which I think causes a longer exposure to get the look. I was on B & H website and seen the filters but they said gradually nd filters. Is that what I need or is there something Im missing? Thanks for all your advice !!!

 

[TJ K]

You don't need a filter for the dreamy water look. Set your iso as low as it fill go and set your aperture as small as it will go and you should get a slower shutter speed. A gradually filter does like it sounds it goes from dark to clear gradually where a non gradual filter has a solid cut off point from the dark color straight to clear no fading at all. Hoped that helped.
tj

 

[fokker]

A graduated ND filter has one dark half and one clear half, the point being so you can expose the sky properly if it is much brighter than the ground on a landscape shot. Not what you want for showing moving water - you just want a normal ND filter. I have an ND8 filter and in bright sunlight it is barely enough to achieve the effect, I would go for something darker than this if I was going to buy another one.

 

[Gaerek]

If you want that effect when there's bright light outside, you will need an ND filter. You can't turn your ISO down or stop down enough to give a decently long shutter speed in most circumstances. When I do shots like this, however, I usually do them in the morning or late afternoon so the light from the sun isn't as strong. I've even done it an hour before sunrise. I do this because I think the lighting is better overall, and I don't have to use an ND filter.

 

[henryp]

Ive seen the posted pics of the water that looks milky and I know that it done with a neutral density filter which I think causes a longer exposure to get the look. I was on B & H website and seen the filters but they said gradually nd filters. Is that what I need or is there something Im missing? Thanks for all your advice !!!

Round (screw-on) ND filters.
Round (screw-on) grad ND filters.
Square & Rectangular ND Filters.