Creative Ideas and Tips for using OM System’s Live ND Feature

Want to add motion and creativity to your photographs without carrying physical ND filters or using a tripod? The OM System Live ND feature lets you do just that—right in-camera. While Live ND is great for smoothing waterfalls, it also shines in street scenes, seascapes, windy landscapes, and abstract motion blur.

In this post, you’ll find quick tips and creative ideas to make the most of Live ND across a range of photography subjects.

Live ND is a built-in feature in select OM System / Olympus cameras that simulates the effect of a traditional neutral density (ND) filter—without the need for any external glass. It works by digitally blending multiple exposures in real time to reduce the amount of light reaching the sensor, allowing you to use slower shutter speeds even in bright conditions.

The terrific thing about Live ND on OM System / Olympus cameras, it that with the image stabilization (especially on newer cameras like the OM-1, OM-1 II, and OM-3), these long exposure results can be done handheld.

Creative Ideas for Using Live ND

Waterfalls

Waterfalls are the classic subject when you think about Live ND. Beautiful long exposure effects can be achieved handheld without an external ND filter.

Don’t be afraid to use Low ISOs like L80 or L100 and small apertures like f/18 or f/22 to achieve long exposure results without blowing out the highlights in the waterfall. On really bright days, Live ND can also be combined with external ND filters to achieve the desired results.

Many waterfalls have railings, walls, or rocks around the viewing areas for the waterfalls. These are great to brace your camera to provide additional image stabilization for the shot.

**Oak Creek, Crescent Moon Ranch, Arizona**

Rapids and River Flows

In addition to waterfalls, the rapids in rivers and streams provide great subjects for Live ND. These compositions are especially nice if the river contains colorful rocks and vegetation near the rapids.

There probably won’t be a railing to rest your camera for additional stability in these areas. Other ideas for additional stability that I’ve used are resting the camera on a rock or stump, leaning against a tree, or a seated stabilization position (which I further describe below in the tips section).

Beaches and Coastlines

Beaches and coastlines are other great locations to use Live ND, long exposures of the tide rolling in / out of the beach and capturing waves as the crash along the shore and on rocks are terrific subjects for Live ND.

Photographing waves as they crash against rocks can take patience and quite a few exposures to capture the right wave at the right instant even with Live ND.

**Fountain at Trafalgar Square with the with the National Gallery**

Fountains

Fountains are another great subject for Live ND. If you plan on taking photographs of fountains in a city environment, you may want head out early in the morning to beat the crowds of people.

Fountains seem to attract people and heading out early in the day will make it easier to photograph the fountain without people in your photographs. This can also require patience. I waited a really long time one morning for a lady in a red jacked who didn’t want to leave her seat on the wall of the Girl and the Dolphin fountain in London.

**Double-decker buses crossing Waterloo Bridge, London**

Moving Trains, Buses, and Cars

Almost any form of moving transportation makes a great subject for Live ND. Try buses, cars, trains, motorcycles, bicycles, and tuk tuks – all of these can make great Live ND photos.

Look for colors that contrast with the background that will make your moving subject pop. In the above photo, the red double-decker buses stand out against the bluish-gray London skyline and bridge.

Blowing Tall Grasses

Landscape photographs often have tall grass in the foreground. When the wind is blowing, try using Live ND to capture the motion in the grasses. Capturing this movement in the grasses and other foliage can help tell the story of a windy environment and add an artistic look to your photograph.

Tips for Using Live ND

Zoom in to Check Focus on Stationary Parts of the Image

Before moving on to your next subject, zoom in on your LCD or viewfinder to check the focus on the stationary parts of the image. This is especially important when you are handholding the camera for Live ND. Many of the OM System/Olympus cameras have terrific image stabilization, but it can still be challenging to hold steady for multiple, longer exposures.

Combine with External ND filters on Bright Days

On really bright days, you can combine Live ND with external ND filters to get the desired exposure without blowing out the image. I used this technique at Great Falls park near Washington DC on a sunny afternoon where it was so crowded there was no room to set up a tripod.

**Oregon Coast, Live ND 128, 4 second shutter speed**

Brace Yourself

Although the Image Stabilization is really good in OM System cameras, bracing yourself on a post, wall, fence, etc. and using good stabilization techniques is helpful in getting a sharp image.

One technique that I frequently use when there is nothing to brace myself on is to sit on the ground with your legs bent and the soles of your feet firmly on the ground. Rest your elbows on your legs and press the viewfinder firmly against your forehead. I’ve successfully used this technique on the OM-1 Mark II with Live ND 128 at 4 seconds.

Set up Live ND on a Button

I set up Live ND on the Exposure Compensation button on my cameras. This not only gives me quick access to Live ND but also to change the Live ND settings. You can quickly change the Live ND strength by holding the button and rotating the rear dial on the camera.

What Live ND Strength to Use

What strength and shutter speed to use for Live ND really depends on the subject, the speed it’s moving, and the lighting conditions. I usually start with Live ND 32 and adjust the shutter speed to get the desired result. If I find it is not getting the result I want, I then adjust the Live ND strength.

Live ND is a fun and creative tool built into OM System cameras. It has a lot of creative uses besides just waterfalls. If you have any additional subjects that work well with Live ND, put them in the comments.

Written by Martin Belan

The Site may contain links to affiliate websites, and we receive an affiliate commission for any purchases made by you on the affiliate website using such links. Our affiliates include: Amazon, Skylum Software, Topaz Labs, DxO, Viator, Hotelopia, and Langly Co.