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How can I achieve a soft, dreamy look in my landscape photos using exposure techniques?
Asked on Feb 15, 2026
Answer
To achieve a soft, dreamy look in landscape photography, you can use long exposure techniques to smooth out moving elements like water and clouds, creating a serene and ethereal effect. This approach often involves using neutral density (ND) filters to reduce the amount of light entering the lens, allowing for longer shutter speeds even in daylight conditions.
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1. Use a sturdy tripod to stabilize your camera.
2. Attach an ND filter to your lens to decrease light intensity.
3. Set your camera to manual mode and select a low ISO (e.g., ISO 100).
4. Choose a small aperture (e.g., f/16) for greater depth of field.
5. Adjust the shutter speed to several seconds or more, depending on light conditions.
6. Use a remote shutter release or self-timer to avoid camera shake.
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- Consider using a polarizing filter to enhance colors and reduce reflections.
- Experiment with different ND filter strengths (e.g., 6-stop, 10-stop) to achieve desired exposure times.
- Review the histogram to ensure proper exposure and avoid blown highlights.
- Post-process in software like Lightroom to fine-tune contrast and color balance.
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