Are graduated ND filters necessary?

Are graduated ND filters necessary?

As mentioned above, the necessity for graduated ND filters is definitely no longer there. However, there are still shooters who prefer to control the dynamic range while out in the field via graduated filters.

When would you use a graduated ND filter?

The reason you will want to use an ND grad filter is that there can be a substantial difference, light wise, between the sky and your foreground. If you have more than a two stop difference, you will probably need an ND grad filter to correct that and get a good, well balanced exposure.

What is a 3-stop ND filter good for?

The 3-stop is the preferred ND filter for 90% of wedding and portrait photographers. This will allow you to control shutter speed below the cameras maximum 1/4000 or 1/8000 and lower your shutter speed to control flash sync more effectively. If your camera goes down to ISO 50 then get the 3-stop.

What is a gradient filter?

The Gradient Filter tool is generally used for darkening or lightening up the top portion of a photograph – the sky. It basically replaces the physical graduated filter which you put on your camera’s lens. You can also use the Gradient Filter for non-destructive edits and when editing RAW images.

What is the difference between ND filter?

As a graduated ND filter with half part transparent and half part dark, this enables you to reduce the part of the light. The difference between these 2 filters is that the GND filters only darken part of the image while the ND filter darkens the whole image.

What does a GND filter do?

GND filters are designed to allow for variable light transmission when taking an exposure. The gradient helps you to manage the light in the scene, by reducing the amount that reaches the sensor in the area that is darkened with gradient.

What is a soft edge GND filter?

A soft edge GND filter features a very smooth transition from dark to clear. The top of the filter will be the darkest, gradually changing so that the middle of the filter is light while the bottom half is generally clear.

What is the difference between hard edge and medium edge GND?

Photo by: ‘NiSi Filters’. On the other hand, a hard edge GND filter is characterised by a gradient from dark to clear with a definite transition that seems to cut straight across the middle. A medium edge GND filter sits between the two, with the gradient from dark to clear being softer than a hard edge but more obvious than a soft edge.

Should you use a hard or soft graduated neutral density filter?

If you’re shooting with an ultra-wide lens (anything wider than 20mm full-frame equivalent), a soft graduated neutral density filter is usually the way to go. Hard GNDs just transition too suddenly at such wide focal lengths, and they only work well for very flat horizons. From 35mm to about 50mm, hard and soft GNDs both have a place.

What is the difference between hard and soft GNDs?

Hard GNDs just transition too suddenly at such wide focal lengths, and they only work well for very flat horizons. From 35mm to about 50mm, hard and soft GNDs both have a place. Something between the two would really be ideal; hard grads are a bit too harsh, and soft grads don’t have a massive effect.