Gradient filter: description and application

In order for beginners in photography to understand what will be discussed, most likely, a definition will be required to give a definition. What exactly is a gradient filter? It is a transparent plate made of optical plastic or glass, on which an even soft monochromatic gradient is applied. If you are not familiar with the "gradient" tool in graphic editors, then you need to explain. In the image, it plays the role of a transition from one color to another, and the filter uses a simple darkening gradient from gray to transparent.

Why do we need such a filter

Gradient is mainly used by landscape photographers. Very often, when shooting a landscape, there is a problem of uneven exposure of the upper (sky) and lower (ground) parts. Simply put, the sky almost always looks significantly brighter than the ground, which creates an imbalance. For example, when shooting a sunset, any photographer has come across this at least once - only the dark contours of objects on the ground remain in the photo. In such a situation, it is the gradient filter that corrects the unenviable position of the bottom of the photo.

There are also color lens filters suitable for giving your photography unusual effects and whimsical color variations. Usually the transition fromthe transparent part of the filter to the shadow corresponds to 1-3 exposure steps, making it easy to choose the right shooting parameters for it.

Types of gradient filters

Gradient filters are round - with a thread for winding onto the lens, as well as rectangular - mounted in a holder fixed to the lens.

A round lens filter is good because it is made of optical glass, often with multilayer coating. But its main drawback is the inability to move the dividing point of the dark and light sides. However, its compact size makes it easy to carry and transport.
The rectangle is made of plastic (because it is used separately from the frame and is more prone to mechanical damage) and does not have enlightenment, but it can not only be rotated, but also moved up and down, which greatly expands the possibilities of the landscape painter. To shoot a landscape using such a gradient filter, you need to use a tripod, since the plastic plate adds two extra interfaces (plastic-air) to the lens, which reduces sharpness and you need to increase the shutter speed by about half.

The benefits of applying a gradient filter

The gradient filter is traditional for photographers using film cameras, as film has a limited ISO range. Previously, they had to either use a gradient or put up with a significant loss in detail. But many modern photographers refusefrom using it, arguing that in a graphic editor you can easily apply the same gradient when processing a photo.

However, practical experience suggests that using a gradient filter is also worth using on digital cameras, as it allows you to save a lot of time, as well as avoid unnecessary work with programs that not everyone, even very good ones, can do, photographers.

ND filter: density, photo. What is an ND filter for?

Probably, every novice photographer thought about the question, how do professionals capture soft blurry clouds, waterfalls, foggy, as if shrouded in haze, water streams in their pictures? At the same time, beginners cannot achieve a similar effect using a slow shutter speed. This is because professional photographers use neutral density (ND) filters. Do not confuse with gradient filters - they darken only a certain part of the frame

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