Super-long exposures

Armed with a 16-stop ND filter and a lot of patience, James Paterson shows you how to create stunning long exposures at any time of the day

-  James Paterson

THE MISSION

Take exposures that last several minutes in the daytime with a strong neutral density filter

Time needed One hour

Skill level Intermediate

Kit needed Camera, tripod, 16-stop neutral density filter (or 10-stop and 6-stop filters stacked), phone or cable release, exposure calculator app

Famous locations such as the Colosseum in Rome are both easy and difficult to photograph. Easy because, well, look at it - it's incredible. Difficult because it attracts tourists and photographers by the thousands. As such, not only is it tricky to take an unusual photo, but it's also hard to find an angle that isn't swarming with people.

This is where a strong neutral density filter can be a huge asset.

It enables us to use shutter speeds of 1-2 minutes in daylight, which means that people moving past the frame don't register in the shot. Plus it creates lovely motion blur in the clouds, which serves both as an eye-catching visual and an indication of how this grand structure has stood for millennia while activity buzzes all around.

When shooting in the day, you need a strong ND filter for this to work, but how strong? A 10-stop ND is popular but not always enough. A 16-stop filter like the Formatt-Hitech ND we used opens the door to super-long exposure times, even in the brightest sun. With this monster attached to the lens, we can open the shutter for minutes under the midday sun.

However, there are things to consider when using near-opaque ND filters like this. First, there are the practicalities of shooting long exposures, such as positioning the tripod, focusing and preventing light leaks. Then there are image concerns, such as increased noise and colour casts. And with exposure times over 1-2 mins, there's also the waiting. Lots and lots of waiting. But patience is rewarded with stunning results.