Settings

Exposure time

It is preferable to work with a long Exposure time. Start with a dark filter or low light for a to achieve a long exposure, then over expose the photo by 2 – 3 stops. 2-5 seconds requires a quick, but controlled action to cover the sky within a reflex time. 5-10 seconds allows for a controlled exposure of the foreground.

ND (Neutral-Density) Filters

An N D filter is dark all over it affects the whole scene unlike a Graduated filter. The N D filter is only to lengthen the exposure. Without needing to wait for it to get dark. You can get nice wave activity or milky waterfalls. My advice will be to purchase a filter for your biggest lens so you can utilize the same filter on all of your lenses by simply using a step up ring.

Procedure

Divide absolute exposure by 10 for the sky exposure. For example, a-10 second exposure would be a sky that is 1 second. Let 1 sec for the sky when the shutter opens. Immediately lower the cloth to cover the entire lens, then carefully lift the cloth to the level of the horizon. Don’t let the cloth become still during the exposure. This should give you a truly nice exposure on the immediate foreground without burning out the sky.

Magic cloth photography