Silky vs Regular Water Images

Points to note  - Part I

Your Phones

1. YOU ARE ALL SET and do not need to purchase a ND filter for shooting long exposure (silky water) photos if you are

1) An Iphone user

2) A Google Pixel 6, 7 or 8 (but not Google Pixel 6a though) user

2. However, you will need to purchase a ND filter for long exposure if you are:

1) A Google Pixel 6a user

2) Any Android users

Here's why:

• Not every smartphone has the built-in long exposure functionality in the camera app. You'll have a better experience if your phone is capable of capturing silky water photos using the built-in long exposure function in the camera app. Please sign up the Advanced Smartphone Photography Workshop I to learn what long exposure is.

• Smartphones models such as Samsung and Google Pixel 6a do not have built-in long exposure function, and you will need to purchase a ND filter to block the light. 

• Downloading an external app to slow down the shutter speed will not work because the photos are captured in day light. A ND filter is still needed to physically block the light in front of the lens.

ND Filters recommended for Android users:

• ND 1-5 Stops

What are ND filters?

A ND filter is a piece of black glass that is used to block the light coming into the camera, allowing you to slow down the shutter speed and capture movement. ND filters can have various opacities for blocking the light in different intensities.

ND filters are mostly used in camera photography; to learn how to calculate the stops of light and the naming of ND filters, please sign up for the Intermediate II Workshops.

Iphone photographers and Google Pixel 6, 7 and 8 photographers do not need to use ND filters as their camera apps already have the built-in long exposure functionality.

For other smartphones (Androids), long exposure can only be achieved by slowing down the shutter speed, as if you are doing so on a camera. Therefore, they have to learn the "camera-way" and purchase the ND filter recommended to capture long exposure shots.

Points to note  Part II

Your Health Condition and Rainy Day Arrangements

Your Health and Body Condition

• 30 Minutes in this class will be spent on walking to the next location and hiking to the Beach:
• Walking to the next location is 15 minutes and is mainly flat.
• Hiking down to the beach is 15 minutes and the trail has a steep staircase on one section but is relatively easy to walk.
• Wearing non-slipper hiking shoes and rain boots (on the Beach only) is recommended.
• Nevertheless, hiking up from the beach is physically demanding. While the group will take short breaks every 2-3 minutes, we recommend you to consult your physician if your body is fine with the hiking.
• Please see this video for the trail down to Marshall's Beach.
• Supplementary video (4:34-4:50): This is the trail that we will be taking. Walking down is easy but hiking back up is difficult, please make sure you are prepared.

Rainy Days Arrangement:

• The class will NOT be canceled or rescheduled due to rain. Class location on a rainy day: Fort Point