Maven Neutral Density Filters – My New Favorite Tool to Expand Creativity
Maven Neutral Density Filters – My New Favorite Tool to Expand Creativity
by Steve Glass
April 21, 2025
Oh, my goodness, I’m excited about Maven filters! Finally, the day of fumbling with threading on a filter is over. With Maven’s amazing magnetic system, it simply “snaps” on to the pre-screwed-on receiver. Thus, the ease of use opens up windows of opportunity when working in fast-paced situations, whereas “dealing” with traditional threaded filters are not time conducive. Maven solves that problem!
Enough about ease of use, let’s talk about why the Maven Neutral Density filters (ND filters) are the ultimate tool to expand creativity! I live in sunny Colorado with over 300+ days of full blue-bird sun per year. Thus, the question I want to answer today is this, “How do you take a shallow depth of field portrait – midday, with full sun - while lowering your ambient light and using strobe?”
Two answers:
1. High Speed Sync compatible strobes.
2. Neutral Density Filters. Often referred to as ND Filters.
Today, I will discuss the “how to” of item number 2: “Using Neutral Density Filters.”
In the following two portraits of my son, who loves to paint, we can easily see the difference. One has a deep depth of field; the other has a shallow depth of field. Which one do you prefer? Personally, I prefer the shallow depth of field – I love that medium format, boke filled look.
Below Photo:
Shallow depth of field: f/1.8, 1/160th, ISO 50, Strobe ~1000 watts
Below Photo:
Deep depth of field: f/11, 1/160th, ISO 50, Strobe ~1000 watts
How to capture the above shot?
Steps
1. Find the composition.
2. Using manual mode (without an ND Filter), I set my exposure so it’s about 1.3 -2 stops under ambient. I set the ambient under to make sure the sky is a deep blue. To make this work with traditional strobes I need to set the shutter speed below the sync speed. My camera sync speed is 1/200th, but I set it 1/3 stop under because sometimes I’ll notice a slight clipping at the 1/200th setting.
Settings - ISO 50, f/11, shutter speed at 1/160th.
3. Now, I add the strobe. I use a Westcott 53” white interior umbrella with a diffuser, plus an Elinchrom ELB 1200 (portable flash unit that gives 1200 watt seconds). I’ve been doing this for a long time, and make an educated guess that my power should be around 1000 watts. I take a test shot and review the LCD screen. The histogram look great – it is correctly lit.
Setting up lighting without the ND filter
Below Photo:
Deep depth of field: f/11, 1/160th, ISO 50, Strobe ~1000 watts
Creating Shallow Depth of Field Portrait with a Maven ND Filter
Now, I have to admit, I think this image looks pretty good! I love the deep colors, where everything is exposed perfectly, and the strobe lights the subject. However, I want to create a shallow depth of field portrait . . . I don’t waste anytime or energy photographing the subject at this point (hence the marginal expression – I did not “work” the subject), I want to keep him fresh for the shallow depth of field portrait that I see in my mind’s eye. How do I create a shallow depth of field portrait? Glad you asked!
Super simple – I add the 6 stop Maven filter. With a quick “pop” (the sound of the magnetic filter snaping to the adapter ring) the filter is attached to the adapter ring. Now, I simply open my aperture by six stops. How? My exposure are in 1/3-of-a-stop increments. I simply count 18 clicks (6 stops x 3) and my aperture is set to fully open (f/1.8 on this particular lens). I take a test shot. I think it looks a hair dark, so I open my ISO from 50 to 100 and the exposure is perfect! It’s that easy!
Same picture with a Shallow Depth of field. I love this image WAY more. I like the bokeh – medium format “look” of this image. It’s beautiful!
Below Image:
Shallow depth of field: f/1.8, 1/160th, ISO 50, Strobe ~1000 watts
Group Photo with shallow (ish) depth of field.
Since we are on this subject, let me explain how I made one more photo using Maven Filters. The reason we were in Rocky National Park on this particular day, was that my childhood friend (the really tall guy) was visiting from out of town, so I want to take a quick group portrait of the two of us with two of my kids.
Because it is a group, shot, I want a slightly deeper depth of field to ensure all our eyes are in the focal plane. I stop down to f/4, which is (1 and 1/3 stop or aka = 4 clicks). Since I cut out 1 and 1/3 stop of light, I also increase my ISO by 1 and 1/3 stop to 400 ISO) – viola, I’m there. Beautiful portrait, full sun, normal strobe (no high speed sync needed).
Below Image:
Shallow depth of field for a group shot: f/4, 1/160th, ISO 400, Strobe ~1000 watts
Before these filters, I would not have attempted this set of image for 2 main reason.
Color Fidelity
First and foremost. The old ND filter I’ve used the color fidelity is awful. Whereas the Maven ND Filters the color fidelity is spot on extremely accurate! No vignetting, no perceivable color shift to my eye – again – spot on! I’m thrilled with the color!
Ease of Use
Taking the time to thread the filter on was always another “step” that took a large amount of time and fumbling. The ease of use with the Maven Filters is amazing. The tedious nature is gone, which makes it fun to use. And, you can swap easily from a 3 Stop, to 6 stop, or a 9 stop.
With my toolbox expanded, making shallow depth of field portraits in midday sun is easier than it’s ever been! I highly recommend exploring this technique. And I highly recommend the Maven Filters.
If you want field use experience of this technique consider joining me on one of my photographic workshops.
Gear used in Creation of this image:
Maven 6 stop ND Filter, 82mm with a step up ring for the nifty 50.
(Linear Polarizer Set)
Westcott 53” White Umbrella + 53" Diffuser
Elinchrom ELB 1200
Elinchrom Sky port
Canon R6, Mark 1
Canon rf “nifty fifty” f/1.8 (great lightweight travel lens)
Ball Head + Tripod:Real Right Stuff (RRS) 55-Ballhead + older than dirt Manfrotto Aluminum Tripod (still going strong)
Heavy Duty Lightstand Manfrotto
Sand Bags (3x15 lb bags)
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