What filter would i need for taking photo's of skies with landscape , seems i can't get it right for taking good quality sky scapes without the landscape being too dark. If i have the landscape brighter the sky is over exposed!
Filter for skies?
- Thread starter Neil79
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1. Set your tripod up. Expose for land. Expose for sky. Expose for mid-tone. Combine the results in Photoshop manually or using some HDR software like Photomatix.
2. Purchase some ND grad filters and a filter holder for your lenses. Ensure you have the right strength ND grad filter for the exposure difference between land and sky and shoot away to your heart's content.
Option 1 is cheap or even free, option 2 is not. I'd try the cheap option before shelling out on something you might not necessarily need.
2. Purchase some ND grad filters and a filter holder for your lenses. Ensure you have the right strength ND grad filter for the exposure difference between land and sky and shoot away to your heart's content.
Option 1 is cheap or even free, option 2 is not. I'd try the cheap option before shelling out on something you might not necessarily need.
I really wouldn't go wasting your money just yet. As with a lot of hobbies there's a constant temptation to think that you need to buy more stuff to overcome problems when there's usually an easier and cheaper way of going about things.
Strictly speaking, taking multiple exposures of the same scene and combining them afterwards should give you the same results or better than using an ND grad filter. With ND grads you've got to be sure that you're using the right strength for the scene you are shooting which can lead to buying multiple filters simple because you might end up needing them.
Give the multiple exposure option a whirl and see if you can resist the obvious temptation to use HDR to get the results you want. You should be able to layer your three exposures in PS and simply mask out the areas of each you don't want then flatten the image into one perfect layer. It will be time consuming but rewarding if you do manage to pull it off successfully.
You could always use some HDR software but the temptation there is to go bonkers on the saturation and end up with the classic overdone look that a lot of HDR images suffer from. I'm all for the technology but I prefer my landscapes to look slightly more natural.
As for your tripod, does it have a hook at the bottom of the centre section to hang something off? That will help with stability if it does, or you could always use the carrying strap for a similar result. Sort of depends on what tripod you've got really!
Strictly speaking, taking multiple exposures of the same scene and combining them afterwards should give you the same results or better than using an ND grad filter. With ND grads you've got to be sure that you're using the right strength for the scene you are shooting which can lead to buying multiple filters simple because you might end up needing them.
Give the multiple exposure option a whirl and see if you can resist the obvious temptation to use HDR to get the results you want. You should be able to layer your three exposures in PS and simply mask out the areas of each you don't want then flatten the image into one perfect layer. It will be time consuming but rewarding if you do manage to pull it off successfully.
You could always use some HDR software but the temptation there is to go bonkers on the saturation and end up with the classic overdone look that a lot of HDR images suffer from. I'm all for the technology but I prefer my landscapes to look slightly more natural.
As for your tripod, does it have a hook at the bottom of the centre section to hang something off? That will help with stability if it does, or you could always use the carrying strap for a similar result. Sort of depends on what tripod you've got really!
no theyre not. not all lighting conditions need ND's.
if youre going to offer advise at least give some reasoning behind your views
Soldato
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Yeah, NDs are good for landscapes, usually known as GND for the graduated (as you want it dark at the top and light at the bottom for landscapes).
But, like others are saying try multiple exposures and then combining them in Photoshop.
But, like others are saying try multiple exposures and then combining them in Photoshop.
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no theyre not. not all lighting conditions need ND's.
if youre going to offer advise at least give some reasoning behind your views
less of the
eh?Ask any landscape photographer what filter they find essential, i bet 90% say an ND Grad to balance the light of the sky and the darker areas of the ground, giving a more dramatic feel to images, you know, i'd have thought that was quite obvious myself.
Oh and btw, at least i offerd advice in this thread, more than you did
Soldato
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Buy ND grad! It's the simplest way, and not very expensive - Cokin p series are decent and well priced.
ND grads are essential unless...
a) you are a photoshop wizard and like to spend about an hour on each image masking areas and combining layers without making the joins too obvious.
b) you love the overblown, false over-saturated look of HDR done wrong.
just my opinion, of course.
a) you are a photoshop wizard and like to spend about an hour on each image masking areas and combining layers without making the joins too obvious.
b) you love the overblown, false over-saturated look of HDR done wrong.
just my opinion, of course.
Soldato
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But there are lots of times when they are needed yes?
I'm constantly amazed that people will rush out and spend hundreds of pounds on Photoshop and then not take the time to learn how to use it. It's almost as if they're somehow getting it for free and therefore don't see the need to learn how to make the most of their purchase!
You don't have to be a God at Photoshop to be able to combine multiple exposures by hand. It's using techniques that everyone should be more than capable of learning should they want to put the time and effort in and will serve you should you really want to take your photography to the highest standards.
There have been plenty of threads posted where people have demonstrated that HDR can be used sparingly and evenly to produce results that look within the boundaries of acceptable realism. The temptation with the software is to let it do it all for you, whack everything up to 11 and then churn out cartoon photographs.b) you love the overblown, false over-saturated look of HDR done wrong.
just my opinion, of course.
Having an accurately calibrated monitor helps too - what looks natural on the photographer's might not natural to the those who calibrate.
I know it's not that difficult to combine images. I have done it myself when even ND grads cant help with the DR.
I know HDR can be done right, and I have seen a few good ones I like, but unfortunately most times it's used for turd polishing.
I do agree about a calibrated monitor though, a must if you are going to get even semi serious about your pictures.
Back to the original point though. I would certainly invest in at least 1 ND grad, preferably one with a soft gradation which is a lot more forgiving over placement.
Man of Honour
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There is no right or wrong way in photography it is down to personall prefence and what you feel most comfortable with, For people who dont want the hassle of taking 3 exposures and piecing them together in phosho should look into filters (im sure one of the exposure will be slightly off to the rest 
) but what ever suits your budget and shooting style is what you need to do. But as you asked for what filter then a set of ND grads is what you be wanting normally people have a set of three a 2/4/8.
And glitch you bought a bike yet
) but what ever suits your budget and shooting style is what you need to do. But as you asked for what filter then a set of ND grads is what you be wanting normally people have a set of three a 2/4/8.And glitch you bought a bike yet
less of the
Ask any landscape photographer what filter they find essential
Most would say medium format cameras are essential actually
Associate
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Wouldn't a hard grad in effect be more like a soft grad due to the cameras crop factor? i.e. a soft grad may be too soft?