Slowing the passage of time with a 10 stop ND filter allows you to make images when otherwise you maybe wouldn't bother. The image on the right was taken in the middle of the day on a busy beach in the middle of summer. Bright sunshine and no clouds further added to the reasons as to why my camera should of stayed in it's bag. However a little artistic imigination with my footprints walking into the sea combined with a 30 second exposure have created a half decent image. It isn't one for my portfolio however it does highlight some of the possibilities of being able to photograph during the middle of the day in harsh light, something that the summer months have plenty of.

The filter comes with a little chart which outlines exposure times. I have found that whatever the recommended time was I doubled it and added a little bit extra. It seems a little bit of a hap hazard approach but with practice you gain a feel for it and under or over exposed images are rare.

Black and white images seem to work the best by far. Using the excellent Silver Efex-pro plug-in the results can be amazing. Turning the sea milky smooth might not be to everyones taste, and if the swell is too big the area of white can be distracting, but if it means I can get out more with my camera and try new things who cares what anyone else thinks.