Newport Reef - 10 Stop Filter Test

Location: Newport Beach, Northern Beaches Sydney Australia.

Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark III

Lens: Canon EF16-35mm f/2.8L II USM

Focal Length: 16mm

Shutter speed: 30sec

F: 14

ISO: 1600

Filters: Lee 100mm system with 2x filter slots. Lee - 1x Lee Big Stopper (10 stops)

Tripod: Manfrotto 055XPROB + 494RC2 mini ball head (I used to use the 327RG2 but moved to the mini ball head as I find it easier to make small tweaks for landscapes)

Shoot techniques

This was the first time I have used my new Lee Big Stopper – 10 stop filter. This is a game changer for me as it opens up a lot of new possibilities. This was a test shoot in the afternoon so I wasn’t expecting much. This was a pleasant surprise to be honest.

Composition

I really liked the way the rock wrapped around this small bay. I moved around the area until I was happy with the fundamentals of image composition. Things I focused on were rule of thirds, leading lines and foreground interest.

Exposure

For this shot I used f14 this was wider than I would usually shoot but I was hunting for more light as I couldn’t go longer than 30sec exposure without a cable release.  I like to limit my ISO as much a possible to reduce image noise. In general, I stick between 100 & 800 ISO but for this shot I went up to 1600 again because I needed more light sensitivity.

Filters

This was the first time I have used my new Lee Big Stopper – 10 stop filter. This is a game changer for me. I think it is going to take some time to get right but It certainly opens up a lot of new possibilities. I also need to get a cable release as I can’t go past 30sec exposure without being in bulb mode. To use the bulb mode without shaking the camera I need a cable release.

Shutter speed

No cable release so maxed out at 30secs for this one to get enough light in, and still not enough without increasing SS and ISO.

Post production editing

LightRoom for global and some local edits then into Photoshop.

Photoshop assisted with plugins (Topaz, Alien Skin Exposure 5) to refinement and experimenting with colours, contrast and mood with a series of layers used selectively with layer masks and opacity variations. 

What I’m happy with

I love how balance the light is in this image. One of the most balanced exposure in a landscape images I have ever taken. Love the Lee big stopper, can’t wait to play with that some more. I think this is a really natural scene that reflects the moment well.

What I would correct next time

I would like to shoot this again with a sunset sky and a cable release.

Q&A for learning photography

Feel free to post a question about any of the information above.

Cheers

Matt