One of the questions I get asked most often is how to create that soft, silky look when photographing waterfalls and other moving water.
The answer is usually quite simple. Slow the shutter speed down.
The challenge is that during daylight, even at your smallest aperture and lowest ISO, there is often still too much light reaching the camera to achieve the shutter speeds you’re looking for.
That’s where neutral density filters become one of the most useful tools you can carry in your camera bag, as they give you much greater creative control over the final image.
Why Use Neutral Density Filters for Water Photography?
A neutral density (ND) filter simply reduces the amount of light entering the lens without changing the colour of the scene. Think of it as sunglasses for your camera.
By reducing the light, you can use much slower shutter speeds, allowing moving water to blur into the smooth, flowing effect that so many landscape photographers love.
Long Exposure Water Photography
One of my favourite subjects in landscape photography is moving water. Whether I’m photographing crashing waves along a rocky shoreline, a fast-flowing stream or a waterfall deep in the woods, slowing the shutter speed completely changes the mood of the image.
A fast exposure captures every splash and droplet, while a slower exposure transforms the water into smooth, flowing ribbons that give the scene a much more peaceful and artistic feel.
Neutral density filters allow me to photograph moving water in ways that simply aren’t possible at normal shutter speeds. Instead of freezing every splash, I can choose exactly how much movement I want to record, even when shooting in bright daylight.
Choosing the Right Shutter Speed for Creative Water Photography
Fast shutter speeds freeze movement. Slow shutter speeds record movement over time.
Instead of capturing every individual splash of water, the camera blends that movement together into soft, flowing textures that create a much more peaceful and artistic photograph.
Exactly how much blur you want is a creative decision. Sometimes a shutter speed of half a second is enough. Other times you may want exposures lasting several seconds or even longer.
Experimenting with different shutter speeds can completely change the mood of an image.
There isn’t one “correct” shutter speed.
Every scene is different. Fast-moving waves, gentle rivers and waterfalls all respond differently as you lengthen the shutter speed. One of the enjoyable parts of photographing moving water is experimenting until you find the look that best suits the scene in front of you.
The beauty of using neutral density filters is that they give you complete creative control over the final look.
Choosing the Right Conditions
While neutral density filters make long exposures possible, they’re only one part of the equation. The quality of light is still incredibly important.
Overcast days often produce the best conditions for waterfall photography because the softer light reduces harsh contrast and helps retain detail throughout the scene.
Early morning and late afternoon can also produce beautiful results, especially when combined with moving water and interesting weather.
Do You Need a Polarising Filter Too?
When photographing moving water, I nearly always combine a circular polarising filter with my neutral density filters. The polariser reduces glare on wet rocks and leaves, cuts reflections on the water and helps bring out richer colours throughout the scene.
In the video, I demonstrate how the Haida M10 filter system allows me to use both a polariser and neutral density filters together, giving maximum flexibility in the field.
My Filter Setup
For this demonstration, I’m using the Haida M10 filter system, which allows me to combine a circular polarising filter with up to two 100mm square neutral density filters. This gives me tremendous flexibility.
The polariser helps reduce reflections and improve colour saturation, while the neutral density filters allow me to achieve the slow shutter speeds needed for creative long exposure photography.
It’s a combination that works exceptionally well for photographing waterfalls, rivers and coastal landscapes.
Watch the Full Demonstration
This article covers the basics, but it’s much easier to understand the process when you can see it in action.
In this video, I’ll show you exactly how I use neutral density filters for water photography, including the filter system I use, how I decide on shutter speed, and the settings I use to create long exposure images in the field.
If you’ve ever wondered how photographers achieve that silky water effect, this walkthrough will answer all the common questions.
I explain my filter setup, camera settings, and how changing the shutter speed affects the final photograph.
The examples in this video were filmed along the rugged shoreline of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, where crashing waves provided the perfect opportunity to demonstrate how neutral density filters can transform moving water into something much more creative.
The conditions were challenging (and yes, there was plenty of spray hitting the lens!), but they perfectly illustrate why this technique is worth learning.
How To Use Neutral Density Filters for Stunning Effects
Learning to use neutral density filters for water photography opens up a huge range of creative possibilities. They’re one of the simplest accessories you can add to your camera bag, but they can completely transform the way you photograph rivers, waterfalls and moving water.
Once you begin experimenting with different shutter speeds, you’ll quickly discover just how much creative control they give you.
If you’ve never experimented with neutral density filters before, I hope this video encourages you to give them a try. They’re one of my favourite tools for adding creativity to landscape photography.
Good Luck and Good Light!
Steve & Nicole