Long Exposure with ND Filter

ND filter reduces the light intensity reaching to the sensor or film through the lens, which effectively slows down the shutter speed. This is useful if you want to capture water motion or add motion blur to your image.

When using ND filter under bright condition, it gives you a greater flexibility to change the aperture and shutter speed. It allows you to use

• a larger aperture for the desire DoF,
• a slower shutter speed to maintain flash sync or to create motion blur.

The down side using ND filters is that they do not reduce the intensity of all wavelengths equally. This can sometimes create color casts in the images, particularly with inexpensive filters. Most popular filter brands such as B&W, Cokin, Lee and Hoya offer a variety of ND filters. Some common ND filters being the ND2, ND4 and ND8 which offers reduction of the light intensity by 1-3 stops.

So…. what can you do with ND filter?

Here is an image captured using an ND filter to slow down the shutter speed to 30s.

What does it look like without an ND filter?

A much more calming effect using an ND filter to capture the water motion.

and of cause you will need a solid tripod to capture the water motion. Behind the scene of my travel tripod (which only weighs 1.5kg) holding up the Nikon D700 and 24-70mm f/2.8.

BoxTale Studio

BoxTale Studio Production is located in Knigges Ave, Wellington city, New Zealand. It offers studio and lighting equipment hire, as well as studio photo shoot services.  Please contact Jason if you need a booking.

 

I was there testing the studio setup today; the studio is very spacious and offers a variety of lighting gear for you needs, suitable for commercial and studio photo shoots.

 

 

 

BoxTale Studio Production also offers graduation, wedding, family, as well as general studio photo shoot services. They have make up artist, choreography designer and photographers to assist you.

 

 

 

Here are some of the studio work, enjoy !

 

 

 

Sony NEX-3 and NEX-5 Hands on and ISO Noise Test

Gratitude to Sony Wellington, New Zealand for letting me test out the new Sony NEX cameras.

The NEX series of Sony’s new mirror less interchangeable lens cameras equipped with APS-C sensor in a very tidy body. When I first put my hand on it, I can feel the build quality is top notch. The NEX-5 is a bit smaller in size and has a better grip than the NEX-3.

The auto focus is fast, in camera option menu and shutter are responsive. The shutter sound does sound like a real shutter.

The lenses are also very compact and with excellent build quality.

Let the images speak for them self, Enjoy

Size comparison with NEX-5 with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 (Left) and NEX-3 with 16mm f/2.8 (Right)

Sony NEX APS-C sensor

 

Sony NEX-3 with 16mm f/2.8.

(Image taken with NEX-5 18-55mm @ f/3.5)

 

Sony NEX-5 with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 and Flash.

(Image taken with NEX-3 16mm @ f/2.8)

 

Sony NEX in camera menu

(Image taken with NEX-5 18-55mm @ f/3.5)

 

Articulated LCD on Sony NEX-5

(Image taken with NEX-3 16mm @ f/2.8)

 

Sony NEX-3 and NEX-5 allow ISO setting up to 12800. Click image below to check out the ISO noise test (ISO 200-12800).

 

Where can I find the equipment seen on this site?

If you find this site useful and planning to purchase any of the equipment seen on this site, please show your support by purchasing your photo equipment at B&H Photo Video or through any of the affiliate links seen on this site.

• Sony NEX-5 with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6
• Sony NEX-5 with 16mm f/2.8
• Sony NEX-3 with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6
• Sony NEX-3 with 16mm f/2.8

The Complete DIY Bounce Flash Kit – Full Snoot, Half Snoot and Bounce Card

To achieve a soft diffused flash, often you will need to use a soft box or bounce your flash off walls and ceilings. You can also get a diffusion dome and attach onto the flash which is a bit better than using a bare flash.

Bare Flash

Flash with diffusion dome  

There are also other products out there that are designed to diffuse the flash light, such as the Gary Fong accessories.

Diffusion Dome

Gary Fong Lightsphere Cloud

But to have something that works as good but cost very much less. I have made myself a complete bounce flash kit using foam mats and  an elastic band. There are many advantages of using foam mats to create the attachments.

Light – The foam mat is light,  it doesn’t add additional weight to your camera bag

Flexible – The foam mat is flexible, so you can roll it up and store it anywhere in you camera bag unlike carrying a Gary Fong :). You can size it/bend it the way you want. You also don't need to worry about hitting it against walls

Snaps on easily – It is effortless to put on the attachments, simply slip it on and hold it in place using an elastic band

Replaceable – It is cheap to replace if you lose it on the road.

Large diffusion area – You can design the size of the bounce card to suit.

 

Full Snoot

I have created a full snoot using one single foam mat and hold in place using an elastic band. The snoot is used to create a directional light.

Half Snoot

Half Snoot can also be created using one single foam mat. Simply fold it to the required size and hold it in place using an elastic band. The half snoot can be rotated each side very easily. Half snoot is used to minimise lens flare caused by the flash and minimise direct flash to the subject similar to how barn gate works. Half snoot is also useful to block the flash from flashing into the guests behind you.

 

Bounce Card

To create a bounce card, you will need one single black foam mat and one single white foam mat. The flash is pointed upward to light up the white area of the bounce card which is effective soften and diffused. The diffused light is then bounced forward to light up your subject while also bouncing off the ceiling.

This is how they look when the flash is fired.

Bounce card - The white area of the bounce card is lighted up to create a diffused light.

The half snoot – Provide a directional light while preventing the light flashing towards the undesired side.

If you want to purchase the complete DIY bounce flash kit ~ $15.50NZD free shipping, give me an email. Accepting orders within New Zealand only.

The kit includes:
3x Black foam mats (A4 size)
1x White foam mat (A4 size)
2x Elastic bands
Adhesive tapes