Advice on Landscapes

Firetographer

Firetographer

Messages
94
Edit My Images
Yes
Having just been on one of the Going Digital courses, we did a little exercise where we took a picture that must have the sky and the foreground in the image.

The exercise was aimed at demonstrating that to get a correctly exposed sky, it would in turn underexpose the foreground. Conversely getting the right exposure of the foreground would blow out the sky, which incidentally was overcast, but clouds were visible in shades of grey.

The instructor told us that filters are commonly used by landscapers to get the correct exposure from both sky and foreground. Sometimes 2 images are merged to get both.

I am now confused slightly and wondered if I do indeed need to invest in some filters to enable me to capture decent landscape photos.

What advice would you give in relation to the above?
 
As you have said, to capture a picture with high dynamic range that your camera cannot handle, you can either:
1) Use ND Grad filter to block out some light on the light part. In this case, you need to buy filters.
2) Take multiple pictures ( best on tripod ) with different exposures, and merge them using software. Search for High Dynamic Range (HDR) and you should find many tutorials.
 
Cheers. I think I need a decent filter then. Not too much into HDR so soon in my learning process.
 
The filter (graduated) is used to hold back the light of the sky to allow the foreground to be exposed correctly. The other method is to take 2 photographs, exposed for the sky then the foreground, then use a dedicated piece of software to merge the two together.
 
Deffo ND grad filters, we did this on my course last weekend and they make a hell of a difference, i went with the ND8 soft
 
Actually, HDR can be very simple, and you don't need to carry filters around. Then again, some think that they look fake.

If you want ND grad filters, you may want to look at Lee. They are supposed to be very good, expensive, though. With your camera and lens, you may not want to settle for less. For me, I went for the cheaper Hitech filters.
 
Indeed, I have looked at the Lee filters. I think that would be the way I would go to be honest. I have no problem in spending a bit for the right kit. As mentioned in previous threads, seems a false economy to put a cheaper filter in front of a lens that cost nearly £1K

However, Lee are struggling to supply due to demand, so it won't be a rushed decision ;)
 
I often use an nd8 soft grad with a polarizer and I particularly like the drama that a grad can bring out in a landscape photo. I sometimes use hdr also but I often think the tonemapping effect can be overdone and just takes over the photo.
 
I have found Cokin filters (especially the ND Grad ones) to be of a very high standard and a good price, well compared to Lee anyway.
On a more general point one of the first things you should learn to do in landscape photography is look behind you, many a good pic missed by only looking ahead. :thumbs:

Cheers

Andy
 
If you're looking down the filter route, watch out for using ultra wide lenses as whatever attaches to the front of your lens may be in shot. You end up using a focal length that negates the use of the lens just because you want to put a filter on the front.

A 7D at 17mm will probably be ok, but if you go full frame or use a wider lens it may become a problem, so bear that in mind when you choose.
 
Firetographer said:
However, Lee are struggling to supply due to demand, so it won't be a rushed decision ;)
Click to expand...

They come up in the classifieds here occasionally and while the savings for 2nd hand aren't great given the demand level for new, it does avoid the wait.
 
If HDR means the automated blending of image by software then HDR is horrific, avoid it like the plague.

Exposure blending on the other hand can produce excellent results.

Go to youtube and search for 'exposure blending'

Filters are great, but only the best are worth having in my opinion. The minimum would be hitech but really Lee or Singh Ray are the best. The cheap filters give strong colour casts. Cokin are particularly bad.

Alex
 
I bought my filter kit from OPKWA Ltd in Aberdare South Wales full kit, Filter holder, system adapter and ND grade kit 3 filters for £55.52 inc vat
 
onomatopoeia said:
They come up in the classifieds here occasionally and while the savings for 2nd hand aren't great given the demand level for new, it does avoid the wait.
Click to expand...

I was hoping to spend a few quid in there, but I think I have to be a member for a couple of months first before I can even see it. :(
 
alexnail said:
If HDR means the automated blending of image by software then HDR is horrific, avoid it like the plague.

Exposure blending on the other hand can produce excellent results.

Go to youtube and search for 'exposure blending'

Filters are great, but only the best are worth having in my opinion. The minimum would be hitech but really Lee or Singh Ray are the best. The cheap filters give strong colour casts. Cokin are particularly bad.

Alex
Click to expand...

HDR doesn't have to be automated per sé. Most software gives you control over what it takes from what frame. Granted, it usually looks pretty bad anyway. ;)

If I have to, I go the exposure blending route as well. It's basically like using a grad, only you have control over the transition. So you can mask around foreground objects that rise above the horizon and would be darkened if using a grad.

I have a little set of Cokins. They weren't great, strong magenta cast, and a noticeable impact on image quality. Not been used for a couple of years now.
 
Jayst84 said:
HDR doesn't have to be automated per sé. Most software gives you control over what it takes from what frame. Granted, it usually looks pretty bad anyway. ;)
Sorry I suppose I meant automated in the sense of 'where'. You do obviously have full control over 'how much'. Either was, I can count on the fingers of one hand the number of HDR images I think look good.

On a budget exposure blending is the way to go. If money isnt an issue then grads and blending together produce the best results.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
I use the Lee filter system - adapter ring + holder BUT with the HiTech filter kit. These are much cheaper than the Lee filters but are a good opportunity to get you started and you can then decide later what Lee filter to purchase - you may find that you only really use the 2 or 3 stop soft grad and not the hards, or you may find it the other way around it all depends on what you shoot. The HiTech 150mm filter kit fit the Lee system. They are not as good as the Lee quality wise, but are better than Cokin and most of the time I'm happy with the result.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top