Photographers write to me with questions, and I always try to reply. In many cases I prefer to reply here on the website so that others who may have the same questions can see the answers, too. Today I’m going through a backlog of questions on a variety of topics: neutral density filters, photographing in Utah, the Canon 5DsR, use of photographs by non-profits.

Pete writes: Dan enjoy your website! Question:Have the Mark III – May get the 5DSR – Has anyone used the 5DSR with Neutral Density Filters 6,10,15 etc.. and what have been the times -lengths – and outcomes? Any noise issues? Other problems noted?

Thanks for writing, Pete. I use a 10-stop neutral density (ND) filter sometimes and I use the 5DsR… but so far I haven’t used the two together! That said, I can’t think of any problems that would be specific to the use of these filters on the 5DsR. I do have experience using the 5DsR with much longer exposure times for night photography, and it works quite well for that.

For those who don’t know, the very dark 5-10 stop and more ND filters can be used to extend the exposure time in daylight conditions. Depending on the filter and your aperture choice you could get 30 second or long exposures. Their use presents a few challenges:

1. They make the viewfinder so dark that you cannot see the scene to compose or focus. Fortunately live view with exposure simulation can save the day. Before live view I often had to compose and focus without the filter attached, then add the filter, and shoot “blind.” But I can compose and focus on the rear screen with live view.
2. There can be some color shifts with the darkest ND filters and long daylight exposures. There is a good chance that you’ll have to make some color adjustments in post.

There is no reason for noise to be an issue at all. Since you typically use these filters in order to achieve very long exposure times you will almost certainly be using very low ISOs.

Joel writes: If I use both a UV filter and a circular polarizing filter on my Nikon D7200 which of these filters should be attached to the lens first? Does it make a difference?

My preference would be to remove the UV filter and just use the polarizing filter. First of all, the UV filter has no beneficial effect on your images — UV filtering is redundant on digital cameras since they are not sensitive to UV light in the way that film was. (Personally, I almost never use UV filters. Read more here: UV Filter or Lens Cap and Hood?.) In addition, unnecessarily stacking multiple filters could create several problems. First, there is an increased chance of flare and reflections between the flat surfaces of the multiple filters and the lens. Second, any degradation  produced by filters (dust, smears, optical issues) is multiplied by the number of filters. Third, it is possible that the stack of filters may be deep enough that you can create vignetting problems, especially if you are using wide angle focal lengths.

Shelley writes: Do you charge to use your photos for a not for profit association? I saw [one of your photographs]I was considering using it for a poster or cover on our small directory. We have 250 member companies.

Thank you for asking. As you know, photographs are subject to copyright and photographs aren’t created for free, so it is important to recognize the value of the work done by photographers. (You’ll probably agree with me that it is sometimes a bit disconcerting when folks say that they absolutely love a photographer’s work… but think it has so little value that they wouldn’t pay anything for it.)

There is more information about my policies regarding requests for free licenses and so forth on my Sales page, but I’ll give you a short answer here.

From time to time I do grant limited, cost-free licenses for the use of photographs to non-profits. The factors I consider when making a decision include the following.

1. Are all others working on the project for which the donated license is being used also donating their work — the designer, the printer, the writers, and so forth?
2. Is the non-profit one to which I would otherwise make a personal financial donation? In such cases, I may donate the license instead of (or occasionally in addition to) cash.
3. Is the non-profit one that is in line with my own interests and values?
4. What will the non-profit do to ensure that my work is fully and properly credited and how will my support of their cause be acknowledged?

Parties with proposals that are likely to meet most of those criteria should contact me directly with a specific proposal.

Len writes: Hi Dan, I wonder if I could ask your opinion on the timing of a proposed visit to Utah in October this year, particularly with autumn colors in mind. In spite of numerous previous visits, I have not ventured through Escalante and Capitol Reef on the SR12. I have in mind the first 10 days, revisiting Bryce and Cedar Breaks for 3 days, driving the SR12 to Torrey for 3 days and onwards to revisit Arches/ Canyonlands for the remainder of the time. One of course appreciates that predicting mother nature can be something of a gamble. I would welcome any thoughts you may have based on your own experiences in the area. Thank you. Len.

Southern Utah is a beautiful place and I deeply love to wander and photograph its canyons and mountains and forests. Unfortunately, at the current time I am boycotting tourism in the state of Utah in order to register my extreme concern over the destructive policies of many Utah politicians who are working to undo years of work to protect the state’s beautiful public lands, especially the national monuments. I cannot, in good conscience, patronize a state that is working to destroy the very attributes that bring me there. (Those sharing my point of view should express their opinion to Utah newspapers and politicians and others and support groups working to support wilderness and natural places, such as the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance.

That said, Southern Utah fall color offers a lot of options and they extent over a lengthy period of time. The short story is as follows. The first spectacular color comes to the high country aspens, and it is at the very end of September and perhaps just a few days into the beginning of October. Later color starts to appear in lower country including low country and canyons in many places, including those you mention. The cottonwood trees are everywhere, but smaller trees and plants also turn later in October and near the end of the month. If you go to Zion you’ll see high country color from the beginning of October (aspens), through the month (along Mount Carmel road, for example) and into the beginning of November (Zion Canyon).

I sure hope Utah gets its act together. I really want to return to that state!

Luis Felipe wrote: (a long list of questions! See below.)

G Dan Mitchell is a California photographer and visual opportunist. His book, “California’s Fall Color: A Photographer’s Guide to Autumn in the Sierra” is available from Heyday Books and Amazon.
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