The concept of time and light as two of the major factors determining photographic creativity has always intrigued me – until I discovered the magic of neutral density (ND) and graduated neutral density (GND) filters.
Nikon Z9, 24mm f/22, 1 sec. ISO 125 – H&Y MRC ND64-CPL + S-GND0.9
Nikon Z9, 57mm f/4, 1/6 sec. ISO 50 – H&Y MRC ND64-CPL + S-GND0.9
Using the H&Y ND filter and the CPL, I shot the rapids at a slower speed and lower ISO than possible without the filters, creating the effect of smooth running water.
As a photo enthusiast, I have enjoyed the exploration of many genres of imaging, from the challenges of capturing high speed action to the subtle effects of using selected apertures to achieve visual impact by controlling the depth of focus in a scene.
I had, for many years, limited my use of filters to the basic UV and skylight varieties, to reduce atmospheric haze and enrich the tone of light. I carried a Polarizing filter to enhance the colours in a scene and control glare and reflections from shiny surfaces… I experimented with a variety of special effects filters, adding spectral stars and vignettes to achieve interesting images – but I always worked within the range of apertures, shutter speeds, and ISO settings that were available to record the scene.
Nikon Z9, 67mm f/22, 3 sec ISO 80 H&Y MRC ND64 – CPL+ S-GND1.2
Nikon Z9, 37mm f/16, 10 sec. ISO 864 – H&Y MRC ND64-CPL + S-GDN1.2
The waterfall at “normal” shutter speeds, and the same scene, slowed down by using ND and CPL filters.
Then I discovered the magic of ND filters, that let me extend the range of shutter speed and aperture settings to effectively master a wider variety of settings for many situations, and the GND filters that let me balance lighter and darker elements of a scene.
It was a revelation – these two types of filters opened a new realm of photo creativity!
Nikon Z9, 90mm f/22, 1/15 sec. ISO 80 – No filter
Nikon Z9, 45mm f/22, 3 sec. ISO 80 – H&Y MRC ND64-CPL + S-GND1.2
With the graduated ND filter and a Circular Polarizer, I was able to match the lighting in the sky to the correct exposure for the landscape, slow down the turbulent effect of the water, and eliminate most of the reflection and glare.
At the outset, I acquired filters in sizes to fit several of my favourite lenses, augmenting my collection with step-up rings so that I could use filters with larger mount sizes on lenses that had smaller filter mount diameters. It was a viable, yet ungainly approach, adding considerable time and complexity to my photographic adventures.
Over the years, I stopped fiddling with many of the filters, narrowing my kit to the bare essentials, and, ultimately, reducing my options for photo interpretation of many scenes and events.
Nikon Z9, 30mm f/22, 4 sec. H&Y MRC ND64-CPL + S-GND1.2
Then I discovered the H&Y filter system, with the ingenious Revoring filter mount that adapts to fit a variety of lenses, and utilizes magnetism to speed up the process of attaching a filter to a lens – no more delays as I threaded a filter into the front of a lens – with the H&Y system, I just touch the filter to the Revoring mount, and the magic of magnetic attraction holds it securely in place. Stacking an ND filter with a Polarizing filter became an instinctive movement, accomplished in a split second… adjusting a GND filter to match the angle of the horizon became easier than I had ever imagined it could be.
Nikon Z9, 45mm f/22, 3 sec. ISO 80 – H&Y MRC ND64-CPL
Nikon Z9, 45mm f/22, 1/50 sec. ISO 80 (No filter)
Mastering time by using ND and CPL filters lets you capture a scene with a surreal new dimension.
I now carry an H&Y Revoring filter mount, a selection of three ND filters, a GND filter, and a Circular Polarizing filter (CPL) in the Luxury Filter Bag – it protects the filters and fits easily into my camera bag, or a pocket. This kit covers every lens I typically use, and if I decide to bring along a lens that has a filter mount larger than my first Revoring can handle, I have a second Revoring that fits many of my more specialized lenses. I find the quality of the H&Y filters to be superlative, thanks to the optical glass and coatings.
The H&Y Luxury Filter Bag is the convenient way to safely carry your filter system.
The H&Y Luxury Filter Bag has a front pocket for storing the filter holder, and eight protective pockets to hold the filters, each closing with a coloured cord to help to identify and easily remove the selected filter. The bag has a convenient strap so you can sling your filters over your shoulder, attach the bag to your belt, or tuck it into your camera bag.
Using the H&Y filters, specifically the CPL, helps to give more contrast to your scene, enhances the effect of clouds against a blue sky, and lets you use slower shutter speeds on a bright sunny day. Adding the graduated ND filters increases the contrast, giving more punch to your photos.
By Jacques Dumont
