Any landscape photographers who've ditched ND graduated filters and successfully using filters in post processing
Mar 17, 2016 14:04:54 #
Over the last few years I have built up quite a comprehensive collection of Lee graduated filters for use in my seascape/landscape photography. I am considering buying a new lens, Canon's 11-24 which is an ultra wide angle and uses a different size of filter and filter holder. I'm just thinking about the options and rather than buy a whole new set of graduated filters one option that occurred to me is to use the graduated filter in Lightroom.
So, my question is: has anyone here ditched their grads and is now successfully using Lightroom or equivalent filters?
So, my question is: has anyone here ditched their grads and is now successfully using Lightroom or equivalent filters?
Mar 17, 2016 14:13:51 #
Post processing only goes so far. 'Filter replacements' using PP do not give the same result quality.
So, no, I have not 'ditched' anything.
So, no, I have not 'ditched' anything.
Mar 17, 2016 14:16:18 #
Luggerbugs wrote:
Over the last few years I have built up quite a co... (show quote)
Primarily, now, I use the grad filters in software rather than the physical kinds. The reason? I have more control - I can erase the parts of the software filter effect that I don't want and shape the grad any way I please instead of being stuck with a line. And I can control its strength.
For complicated situations, I still sometimes shoot a few with a physical grad filter to hedge my bets in case the software version just doesn't solve it. I keep a grad filter in my bag for my main landscape lenses.
So, I've switched, but not 100%.
Mar 17, 2016 14:25:50 #
TheDman
Loc: USA
Rongnongno wrote:
Post processing only goes so far. 'Filter replacements' using PP do not give the same result quality.
So, no, I have not 'ditched' anything.
So, no, I have not 'ditched' anything.
Aren't you the world's leading luminosity mask advocate? Surely you realize their superiority to grad NDs.
Mar 17, 2016 14:26:50 #
TheDman
Loc: USA
Luggerbugs wrote:
Over the last few years I have built up quite a co... (show quote)
I had ND grads for about 15 minutes back in 2006. Now it's Photoshop blending all the way. So much more precise and powerful.
Mar 17, 2016 14:36:33 #
Rongnongno wrote:
Post processing only goes so far. 'Filter replacements' using PP do not give the same result quality.
So, no, I have not 'ditched' anything.
So, no, I have not 'ditched' anything.
Thank you. Quality is definitely one of the considerations.
Mar 17, 2016 14:40:10 #
TheDman wrote:
Aren't you the world's leading luminosity mask advocate? Surely you realize their superiority to grad NDs.
And my answer? Do not ditch filters... so...
Mar 17, 2016 14:40:25 #
minniev wrote:
Primarily, now, I use the grad filters in software... (show quote)
Many thanks Minniev. What PP software do you use and have you noticed any significant loss in quality?
Mar 17, 2016 14:43:37 #
TheDman wrote:
I had ND grads for about 15 minutes back in 2006. Now it's Photoshop blending all the way. So much more precise and powerful.
Thank you. And have you noticed any drop quality?
Mar 17, 2016 14:44:37 #
I'm not ditching my Lee and Singh Ray grads until I learn how to duplicate their effect in post without getting those bloody haloes around everything. And without spending hours on my butt in front of a computer. I love angels but I hate haloes!
Mar 17, 2016 14:44:37 #
I ditched the grads as soon as I went digital. I always thought they looked terrible - tops of trees and mountains unnaturally dark just because the sky was bright. Yuk.
A much better solution is to exposure blend with layers and masks in Photoshop (LR alone can't handle everything, especially extreme rages of exposure). Take bracketed exposures while on the scene and then blend foreground and background versions together.
Or, sometimes you an just double-process a RAW file if the camera has enough dynamic range. All the images below were done without grads. Just imagine how bad that first one would be if I had to use a grad.
NOTE - It's not an easy process and there is a lot of learning involved, but it's worth the effort.
A much better solution is to exposure blend with layers and masks in Photoshop (LR alone can't handle everything, especially extreme rages of exposure). Take bracketed exposures while on the scene and then blend foreground and background versions together.
Or, sometimes you an just double-process a RAW file if the camera has enough dynamic range. All the images below were done without grads. Just imagine how bad that first one would be if I had to use a grad.
NOTE - It's not an easy process and there is a lot of learning involved, but it's worth the effort.
Mar 17, 2016 14:54:13 #
Steve is correct.
I stopped using grad ND at least 10 years ago. Lightroom is good but Photoshop (not Element) is better using mask and layers assuming we work on raw data.
I stopped using grad ND at least 10 years ago. Lightroom is good but Photoshop (not Element) is better using mask and layers assuming we work on raw data.
Mar 17, 2016 14:57:28 #
mcveed wrote:
I'm not ditching my Lee and Singh Ray grads until I learn how to duplicate their effect in post without getting those bloody haloes around everything. And without spending hours on my butt in front of a computer. I love angels but I hate haloes!
Thank you mcveed -really appreciate your input and it seems like we're starting to see two distinct views developing.
Mar 17, 2016 14:57:31 #
Luggerbugs wrote:
Many thanks Minniev. What PP software do you use and have you noticed any significant loss in quality?
LR/Photoshop CC
Also use grads in NIK filters, and other plugins, just try to pick the one I think will do best for the particular photo, but the LR one my go-to choice.
Quality is better - no extra glass to get dirty or cause other problems, more control.
Note - I do shoot exclusively in raw, can't speak to jpeg.
Mar 17, 2016 15:02:26 #
Steve Perry wrote:
I ditched the grads as soon as I went digital. I a... (show quote)
Wow Steve, fab shots and I've just taken a peek at your site too - very impressed!
This is getting really interesting now and I'm very pleased I asked the question. I don't think I'm about to ditch my ND grads but I'm starting to think that perhaps I don't need to invest in a load more if I decide to buy the new lens. Thank you.
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