ND Filters Explained - In depth Guide for Beginners

In this tutorial, I’m going to explain all about ND filters in photography; what ND filters do, what ND filters to buy, what effects they create and so on. I’ve also created an ND filters guide that you can download and keep. This will help you work out shutter speed times using our exposure calculator and advise on what ones to buy.
If you’re thinking of buying or using ND filters to create long exposure photography, then this tutorial is for you.
The Free ND Filter Guide and Exposure Calculator can be found here ▶ www.theschoolofphotography.co...
Learn how to use ND filters in the field here - goo.gl/izdbj4
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#NDfilters #longexposurephotography #theschoolofphotography

[@cotswoldphotographers]

Thanks Marc, this video couldn’t have come at a better time and has helped me so much because I was in the process of looking for a set up of filters. Brilliantly explained as always, thank you 👍

[@theschoolofphotography]

Thanks Gary, glad to help 😊👍

[@Ru1uvus]

Thanks for a great presentation, Marc. You've answered many of my questions re circular filters, the various confusing nomenclatures , and when and where to use ND's. It would NEVER have occurred to me to use an ND when shooting a moving target like the cyclist in your video. Thank you.

[@theschoolofphotography]

You're welcome, glad to help 👍

[@colinmelhuish1254]

So well presented at the right pace. There is always something I don't know. your videos are invaluable.Thanks for posting.

[@theschoolofphotography]

You're welcome, glad it helped 👍

[@surj1t]

Another great tutorial, explained slowly but methodically. Keep the tutorials coming.

[@theschoolofphotography]

Cheers, glad you liked it 😊

[@maucinti]

You guides are so useful I can't stop to watch them ! I particularly appreciate your slow and clear way of speaking: it's a unvaluable plus for we, no mother- language english : Thank you for that !

[@theschoolofphotography]

Thanks, glad to help :)

[@peterthornton681]

Hi Marc, thanks for the tutorial and pdf. Been struggling to understand this for a little while and your tutorial has brought a lot of clarity on the subject for me.

[@theschoolofphotography]

You're welcome Peter 👍

[@celtphoto]

Thank you for a comprehensive, and comprehensible explanation, and at a speed which is understandable. Excellent.

[@theschoolofphotography]

You're welcome John

[@29eukanuba]

Wow! Finally I found all the answers that I need about ND Filters. Thank you TSOP!

[@theschoolofphotography]

You are welcome Jimmy 😊

[@resityildiz754]

One of the best tutorial videos I have ever watched. All explanations are very clear and easy to understand. Illustrations are very helpful as well. Thanks.

[@theschoolofphotography]

You're welcome, glad it helped 😊

[@robertgill5651]

Finally someone that explains it so i understand clearly thank you so much

[@theschoolofphotography]

No problem Robert, glad to help 😊👍

[@SergioGVasco]

Best tutorial i've ever seen on the matter and i've already seen some. I thank you so much, Marc, for sharing this and, of course, the pdf guide. It means a lot. Take care, and again, thank you.

[@theschoolofphotography]

Thanks Sergio, appreciate the comments 👍

[@emreon3160]

Your a great teacher, keep up the good quality work.

[@theschoolofphotography]

Thanks 👍

[@ShadowlightPhotography]

Very useful indeed, cheers, as said below you have a great way of putting things across in simple understandable terms, keep up the great work!

[@theschoolofphotography]

Thanks Matt, appreciate that 👍

[@anujasharma9677]

Excellent content and presentation style Marc. Thanks for putting this for us as always :-)

[@theschoolofphotography]

You're welcome, glad to help :)

[@iglolosa5196]

Brilliant. Well structured and paced. Thanks

[@theschoolofphotography]

You are welcome 😊

[@cudanz]

great video once again, thanks for continuing to share with us this content!

[@theschoolofphotography]

Your welcome, glad it helped 👍

[@ianbaker2599]

Really great video. Thanks for putting together such a terrific presentation.

[@theschoolofphotography]

You're welcome, thanks for the comments 👍

[@clairek3009]

I'm super excited! Thank you for sharing!!

[@theschoolofphotography]

You're welcome 👍

[@gchurch44]

Great easy to understand tutorial!! Thank you

[@theschoolofphotography]

Thanks Graham, glad it helped 👍

[@tonykennedy6030]

This was a great explaination of filters and their uses and has given me a better understanding of the filters you've demonstrated. Thanks very enjoyable.

[@theschoolofphotography]

Glad it was helpful!

[@dinitha11]

Thank you for this. I was confused for a long time, not anymore. I can finally purchase a ND filter confidently now.

[@theschoolofphotography]

Glad I could help!

[@habeshaswholift6731]

this was a great in depth explanation, very simple to follow and well done. thank you

[@theschoolofphotography]

Glad it was helpful!

[@samG348]

Finally, a video tutorial that makes sense!!

[@theschoolofphotography]

Thanks 👍

[@andrevankoningsbruggen7421]

Thank you, that explains this part very well for what I have been looking for in my photography journey.

[@theschoolofphotography]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Rafaga777]

Thanks a lot for this useful tutorial. Very well explained with lot's of info for a newbie like me...

[@theschoolofphotography]

You're welcome 👍

[@DBResident]

Great Video. Don't forget also readers there are step up (& down) rings for filters. So if you you have three lenses that take a filter of size of 82mm, 77mm and 75mm respectively; you just buy the 82mm filter and then use a 82/77mm and 82/75mm step up ring so the filter will fit these lenses. You don't have to buy 3 filters of different sizes of the same type to fit! This is for screw in type filters. If of course you are using the slide in method then the manufacturer (ie Lee) will provide various adapters to fit these lens mounts.

[@theschoolofphotography]

Thanks for sharing 👍

[@louisegoulding3604]

Great video as always! Thanks

[@theschoolofphotography]

Thanks Louise, glad you liked it 👍

[@muatao9943]

Thank you very much. I've been wanting to understand how ND filters work for some time now.

[@theschoolofphotography]

You're welcome, glad to help 😊👍

[@shay_bun4747]

Watched this last night and had a little play today, not the best conditions but practise makes perfect. Had a little play with intentional camera movement with the 10 stop too. Thanks for an easy to understand tutorial :0)

[@theschoolofphotography]

You're welcome, glad to help 👍😊

[@AliHaider-pu6ui]

awsome video and best in dephth explanation about filters and filter systems..having watched this video there is no question left into my mind regarding filters like how they work..thanks a lot mate..

[@theschoolofphotography]

More than welcome Ali

[@dchillman]

Thanks for the great ND filter video. And thanks for the related PDF I just downloaded.

[@theschoolofphotography]

You're welcome David, hope it helps

[@rosemarym3020]

Just got some Cokin filters and this has been so helpful! Looking forward to trying them out.

[@theschoolofphotography]

👍

[@abhisheknagabhushan5326]

Wow, thank you for making these type of explanation videos. Looking forward for more tutorial videos.

[@theschoolofphotography]

Glad you like them!

[@liewjudy977]

Thank you so much for this tutorial. It really helps especially I m new .

[@theschoolofphotography]

You're welcome, glad it helped 😊

[@alfreddornan5820]

Thanks for this great tutorial on ND filters. As A beginner I found this very important to my learning. thanks.

[@theschoolofphotography]

Glad it was helpful!

[@samezati716]

Thanks you so much. the best tutorial I have seen about ND filters.

[@theschoolofphotography]

Wow, thanks!

[@carlos1982]

Best photography channel on youtube thanks again for awsome content 👍🏼👍🏼

[@theschoolofphotography]

Thanks Carl, really appreciate that 👍😊

[@shahrukhsadi7947]

you are right

[@fb3798]

The best explanation!

[@theschoolofphotography]

Thanks 😊

[@dawidoszkiewicz5607]

Great tutorial! Thanks!

[@theschoolofphotography]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Noealz]

Well, I already know all this stuff but still wanted to throw in my support by commenting, have a good one

[@theschoolofphotography]

Cheers, appreciate that 👍

[@amitabhasarkar1360]

Amazing explanation. Thanks.

[@theschoolofphotography]

You are welcome!

[@jaunpaul90]

Thanks for the video. I finally understand it and you explained it perfectly

[@theschoolofphotography]

Glad it helped!

[@jaunpaul90]

@@theschoolofphotography honestly it's life changing .

[@jotownzer473]

Awesome video. Thanks for breaking it down for the layman.

[@theschoolofphotography]

Glad it was helpful! 😊

[@SelfSufficientSarah]

Wow this was really helpful! Thank you!

[@theschoolofphotography]

You're welcome 👍

[@pattiegainsford6640]

Very useful great video I have been straggling to understand ND filters Video gave me more understanding

[@theschoolofphotography]

You're welcome Pattie, glad to have helped 👍

[@massysm]

Wow, I was just looking to know about ND filters and you uploaded this video. Guess I'm lucky ;D

[@theschoolofphotography]

Thanks, glad it helped 👍😊

[@lakana13]

Thanks, Very helpful suggestion.

[@theschoolofphotography]

You are welcome!

[@halosrusty]

very good video , liked and subbed. keep up the great work

[@theschoolofphotography]

Thanks and welcome aboard 👍

[@monomakes]

Thanks for the help mate!

[@theschoolofphotography]

No problem 👍

[@steves8661]

Just discovered your channel great video tutorial on ND filters thank you

[@theschoolofphotography]

Thank you Steve 👍

[@Orbs081]

Great video thank you

[@theschoolofphotography]

You're welcome 👍

[@ddphotograph]

Excellent the way you explain this thank you :)

[@theschoolofphotography]

You're very welcome!

[@jeniferlinares9833]

Thanks for explaining :)

[@theschoolofphotography]

No problem!

[@johnknezevic6810]

great video thx going to follow

[@theschoolofphotography]

Awesome, thank you!

[@dimilaleas8047]

Great video! Clear and well explained. I'm still a bit confused however as to what situations you'd use 2 or more filters together. Can you please clarify.

[@theschoolofphotography]

Hi, landscapes mainly. Check out this link for a more in depth look on how to use nd filters. goo.gl/izdbj4
Thanks

[@stuartrobinson2983]

Really great explanation. I wonder if you could advise me how to calculate what strength filter to use by taking two mid tone meter readings from a contrasting scene. For example, a landscape with darkish foreground, meter reading of 3 seconds, and a sky giving a reading of say 1/100 of a second. I know there is some kind of formula,but I cannot get my head round it. Thank you.

[@MrNemonsteri]

thank you very much!

[@theschoolofphotography]

👍

[@ifell3]

82mm ring size, you big boy haha, great video, got me subbed

[@theschoolofphotography]

Thanks, welcome aboard 👍

[@pascalschnyder39]

Thanks for the great tutorial! I got these slide-in filters. on one side they are like black, on the other side they are like blue. Which side to i slide them in? Thank you in advance!

[@alemattosbr]

Great tutorial! Thanks for sharing! I'm thinking to buy one ND filter 3stops for videos and other 10stops for photos. Do you think this cover the most of needs? Kind regards

[@theschoolofphotography]

Hi, I think a variable one for filming is best as it will cover a variety of weather conditions. Hope that helps, thanks for the comments 👍

[@rodrigoorellana2389]

great video!! helpfull... what is that "light reducer" back on the softbox? greetings from Chile

[@theschoolofphotography]

Hi, not sure what you mean there, where on the video is it?

[@rodrigoorellana2389]

@@theschoolofphotography this imgur.com/a/atS7ECN . =)

[@andrewjaz5246]

thank you.

[@theschoolofphotography]

You're welcome

[@shahrukhsadi7947]

hi marc bro love from bangladesh

[@theschoolofphotography]

Thanks 👍

[@MrRedneckman100]

As someone who only can shoot during the harsh sunlight, hopefully this will help. Im sick of sacrificing details due to the image being blownout.

[@tilikumtim5562]

If you have a UV filter, do you get the same size ND filter? i.e. if I have a 52mm UV filter on my lens, do I buy a 52mm ND filter to scew onto the UV filter?

[@Kenkichi24]

Question folks: I own a 77mm filter thread. I'm going to get a wide-angle lens which is 16-35mm with a 77mm thread filter. Would you recommend that I buy 82mm because of vignetting? I also do Panorama and use the Brenizer method. I will also be going to do some vlogging maybe and for sure videography in the future. Still not sure if I should get the 77mm or the 82mm for my lenses that are going to be 77mm. Kindly please respond with your opinions. Thank you

[@JK-pf6hz]

I woke up listening to this video thinking Russell Brand was teaching me photography

[@sjakob52]

Is it neccesary to calculate stops when you have light messurement through the lens in a DSLR camera? You could set it to fixed ISO and Fixed apperture.

[@theschoolofphotography]

Hi, for long exposure photography it is. Thanks

[@papabear7875]

If I am only going to buy one ND filter which one will you recommend and will be more useful?

[@ianlaurenson4729]

Good informative video . there are Amateurs on you tube masquerading as professional photographers, trying to promote filter systems worth thousands , whilst shooting on crop sensor camera. A bit like putting the cart before the horse I think, like a Blacksmith reviewing a Brain Surgeons tools.

[@theschoolofphotography]

Thanks 👍

[@ellisback6519]

What if you need an nd filter with a lens hood?

[@yinlingleong9365]

Hi. I read from the internet that in order to take aurora pics, I need long exposure, more than 10s. In that case, will ND works too? To slower the light

[@theschoolofphotography]

Hi, no you don't use nd filters for night photography as its already dark. Check out this video to see how to photograph stars th-cam.com/video/BTg2h_me8xg/w-d-xo.html

[@yinlingleong9365]

The School of Photography thanks for the advice

[@neilcole3406]

So if l use a 10 stop nd filter lm looking at 30 sec exposure approximately? Thanks

[@theschoolofphotography]

Hi Neil, it depends on the light you have available to the exposure time you need.

[@philipkelly9753]

great content, thanks! I'm feeling sorry for myself though, broke my nd1000 and lens in 5 days of owning :(((((((

[@theschoolofphotography]

Sorry to hear that

[@kreygscott]

Nice Video Marc. However I wouldn't touch a circular filter ND or otherwise with a 10 foot pole. You'll get a much better result with a square filter when shooting landscapes. Additionally IMHO Formatt Hitech offers the most secure filter holder system which won't fall off your lens unlike the Lee Filter Holder not to mention a better range of filters without the color cast as seen with brands such as Lee and Cokin.

[@theschoolofphotography]

Thanks for sharing 👍

[@RahulKumar-nh3wc]

What is the meaning of Stops in ND filter?

[@theschoolofphotography]

Link in the description of the video will take you to a page that describes that.

[@MrStink2009]

And what if a person does not have the money to buy expensive brand square filters like Lee filters to do "serious" photography? If a person bought an affordable filter kit, it does not make him or her a serious photographer? From looking at the photos, how would anyone know if that person is using an expensive square filters or not; even though; that person use good editing skills to get rid of the filter color cast?

[@theschoolofphotography]

Hi, it's all explained in the video. Thanks

[@tobywilliamsphotography5257]

Good, but you do sound a bit like your talking to old ladies at a care home a little.

[@theschoolofphotography]

Yes, I'm talking to you 😂

[@EricDeVette]

You completely avoided to say or write what ND stands for.
That’s incredibly stupid and annoying. Not everybody knows what it means and what it does (yes I do).
Why do you call yourself a teacher?

[@theschoolofphotography]

I think you need to watch it again carefully. 😂😂