5 Steps to perfect light
use these camera settings and filters to get great results

Metering

Most cameras offer three main metering modes: Multi segment , Center-weighted and Spot. Spot metering is the most accurate as it enables you to take a light reading from a small circular area in the center of the frame. Multi segment meter mode is very good and produces pleasing results in most cases. A center wighted meter can be useful for evenly lit subjects or for close up details.

ND filter

The simple Neutral Density filter can be used to prolong exposure times without sacrificing depth of field and works by holding the light back. It comes in varied strength and can be combined with other filters: a two-stop ND used with a polariser will increase exposure time by four stops.The ideal exposure for creating movement in waves is around one second: this filter helps get you there.

ND Grad Filter

Neutral Density Graduated filters are coloured grey over half of the filter and graduate to clear. By holding the filter over the sky in scene, the exposure time will be the same as the darker land. To determine which strength filter to use take a meter reading from the foreground then one from the sky. If the land reads one second at f/22 and the sky reads 1/8 second at f22, use three stop grad to bridge the gap.

Sunsets

Sunsets picture are irresistible but shooting straight into the sun can result flare on the lens and reduce image contrast dramatically. You can overcome this by waiting for the sun to drop closer to the horizon, or to be slightly obscured by a cloud. Make sure your lends and filters are dirt and dust free and as light levels drop keep taking meter reading from the foreground and sky.

White Balance

As the sun goes down the colour temperature of the light changes from warm to cool, adding a blue cast to your shots.By using a cloudy WB setting, you can achieve a warming effect smiliar to using an 81B series warm -up filter. You might want to enhance the cast, in which case you can choose the Tungsten setting. If you shoot RAW these effects can be added at the RAW conversion stage later.