@lynnb - Thank you very much Lynn for your very kind comments!! The neutral density filter gives the water that silky look. The filter is very dark which allows you to leave the shutter open for prolonged periods of time. For this photo I did three exposures. They were for 8 minutes, 4 minutes and 2 minutes and then I made an HDR by combining them to create this. Since the shutter is open for so long the movement of the water blurs it.
@stephw - Thank you Stephanie!! I purchased a B-W filter because I have heard and read a lot of good things about them. I purposely bought the 3.0 1000X because it is a 10 stop filter. Which means it shuts out the light by 10 stops. I read many reviews. One person bought a set of lower stop filters and stacked them, but according to him they didn't create the effect of this single lens. Do a lot of research before making your purchase. The filter cost me $56.00, but the quality is far greater then the cheapo filters (UV and polarizing) I got with the camera. You definitely will need a tripod, a shutter release or timer on your camera and a bulb setting for the long exposures.
![The Swimmer [B&W]](https://media.365project.org/1/6404529_depswz0679_sq.jpg "The Swimmer [B&W]")
@groovygirlrn - Thank you so much Sheri!!
@jannkc - Thank you very much Jann!! Please read my note to Stephanie!
@lynnb - You are welcome Lynn!
@marlboromaam - I very much appreciate your comments Maggie! Thank you!!