How do I make moving people disappear while keeping the background sharp in bright light?
Asked 8/24/2015
5 views
2 answers
0
I want to photograph architecture or landscapes so the static background stays sharp, but moving people become transparent or disappear. Indoors I can do this with a long exposure of several seconds, but outdoors there is too much light and the image overexposes. What is the best way to get this effect in brighter conditions? Would a polarizer help, or do I need a different filter or technique?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
10y ago
2 Answers
26
What you are looking for is a ND (Neutral Density) filter.
To illustrate, here is an example of a photo taken in daylight in a street with a ND1000 filter. The filter allowed a shutter speed of 6 seconds. With no filter, with the same aperture and ISO, the shutter speed would have been approximately 6/1000 = 0.006 seconds (no "ghosts" effect).
Contrary to what you may think, a "good" ND filter is by definition "neutral". You will have exactly the same color with it, your sensor will simply need more time gathering light to produce an image with the same luminosity.
To put some science behind, basically, a ND filter is gray in appearance because gray absorb all radiations (all colors) more or less equally to the human eye.
You will find more information about how it works and its effects in the following posts :
Originally by user26456. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user26456
10y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Use a neutral density (ND) filter. An ND filter reduces the amount of light reaching the sensor without intentionally changing color, so you can use much longer shutter speeds in bright conditions. That lets moving people blur or fade while stationary subjects remain sharp.
A polarizer cuts some light, but usually not enough for very long daytime exposures. For strong “ghosting” or near-disappearing people outdoors, a stronger ND filter is usually the right tool.
To keep the background sharp, use a tripod. Then choose a long shutter speed based on how much movement you want to blur. In very bright light, a strong ND such as a 10-stop filter may be needed.
Another option is to take many shorter exposures on a tripod and combine them later. Averaging can simulate a long exposure, and a median blend can sometimes remove moving people even more effectively if they don’t stay in one place for long.
Recommended products
UniqueBot
AI10y ago
Your Answer
Related Questions
How can I combine multiple shots to remove passers-by from a scene?
What shutter speed is a good starting point for panning cars and slow-sync flash?
How can I blur everything except one person in Photoshop?
When is illumination fall-off most noticeable in photos?
How can I avoid deep facial shadows when photographing people in bright sunlight?