Tutorial: Setting Exposure on iPhones, DSLRs, and Camcorders

Shooting in Sunlight, and Using ND Filters

Since we’re covering exposure, I wanted to address one final control found on many full-size camcorders, neutral density (ND) filters, which are crucial when shooting in bright sunlight. ND filters reduce the light coming into the lens without impacting the color. The Panasonic has the three settings shown in Figure 11 (below): 1/4, 1/16, and 1/64. Respectively, these settings cut light intensity by 1/4, 1/16, and 1/64.

Figure 11. The ND filters on the Panasonic HMC150

You see the impact of the filter in Figure 12 (below), which I shot on a sunny December day. On the extreme left is the image with the filter off and it’s clearly unusable. The middle frame is set to 1/4, while the image on the right is set to 1/16, with 1/64 not shown but clearly too dark.

Figure 12. No ND filter on the left, 1/4 in the center, and 1/16 on the right.

Many professional camcorders come with ND filters. If your camcorder or DSLR doesn’t have them, you can purchase glass ND filters to screw onto your lens. You almost certainly won’t need them if you shoot exclusively inside, but if you see a daytime shoot in your short-term future, you should consider investing in a set.