Hong Kong by MathijsvandenBosch

Follow me on Facebook | Twitter The Hong Kong skyline is arguably the best in the world. Many photos have been taken, I tried to create a different look by using my new neutral density filters and shooting in the morning with the city lights out. I used rectangular Formatt Hitech IRND filters (Joel Tjintjelaar edition kit) the cool thing is, you can stack filters up to 19 stops, so it is easy to make a 5 minute exposure in full sunlight. The other neat thing is that you can use the filters on different lenses (different filter sizes) This one is a 5 minute exposure with 13 stops of filters (a 10 stop and a 3 stop IRND filter stacked in the filter holder) You can see the setup here http://j.mp/1mpZZl7 Image format: 16x9 Image size: 5608 x 3154 px If you'd like to make a long exposure but don't know how, the following will help you getting started. You'll need a camera with 'bulb' mode. It is the B on your mode dial (next to Auto, M, Av, Tv) a tripod, one (or more) neutral density filter(s) and a long exposure conversion chart (I use an iPhone app called 'LongTime') to calculate the exposure time with the filter attached. Find something to shoot with moving elements in it, like water, clouds, plants or trees in the wind etc. Put your camera on your tripod without the filter, set mode to Aperture priority (Av) and select an aperture you like, say F8. Select your ISO as low as possible (100 or 200) and press the shutter half way while looking through the viewfinder, the camera will display the correct exposure time (e.g. F8 at 1/250 of a second) To calculate the correct exposure time with the filter attached, look in the chart (or app) and find the correct exposure time for your neutral density filter. (1/250 sec. with a 16 stop neutral density filter attached gives an exposure time of 4 minutes) Most cameras limit the exposure time to 30 seconds in the normal modes (Auto,Tv,Av,M) Since 30 seconds usually in not enough to get a nice effect, you switch to Bulb now, in Bulb light falls onto the sensor as long as you keep the shutter pressed, without a time limit. Attach the filter and dial in the same aperture as before (in Av). Press and hold the shutter now for the calculated time (4 minutes in our example) The only problem is that your camera will probably move a little while you press and hold the shutter for 4 minutes (even on a tripod) that's why it is good to have a remote (cable) trigger. Vignetting gets strong especially if you stack filters. If you want to reduce vignetting choose a smaller aperture. A longer focal length also helps. If you see some strange light patterns in your photo, it is probably light leaking from the viewfinder via the mirror to your sensor. Putting something (hat/towel/tape) in front of your viewfinder should help. via 500px http://j.mp/1mpZZla