Grad filters - help!

[NeilA1975]

Ive been trying to use grad filters over the past month of so with little success in terms of the overall result.
Now I think I know what type of grad to use (soft or hard edged) and when, it's just that my calculations when using the correct strength seems to be failing me.
Normally, I would spot meter the brightest part of the sky and the brightest part of the foreground and use the difference between them in terms of stops to establish the correct strength filter.
I have looked online but there appears to be a few articles which do not address the type of metering required and whether or not to adopt the zone system when calculating the correct strength
Would appreciate some advice as to how to obtain the 'correct' strength to be used.

Cheers
Neil

 

[Steve Smith]

Digital or film?

Using digital, it should be easy. Find the exposure which is good for the foreground and another which is good for the sky. The difference is the filter strength you need.


Steve.

 

[HoppyUK]

When it looks right, it is right. Don't bother metering things, there is no right or wrong and a lot more factors to consider. How much choice have you got anyway? Hard or soft cut - subjective, and subject dependent. Two or three stops - subjective, and subject dependent. That's it. Just meter as normal and take it from there.

Focal length has a big influence on how the grad effect looks. Wider lenses produce a stronger result and don't bother with a tele lens as the grad will be almost invisible. Aperture also has an influence, with higher f/numbers showing the grad effect more strongly.

Edit: do some quick tests and you'll soon get a feel for things. Shoot a plain white wall at different focal lengths and apertures.

 

[NeilA1975]

Thanks chaps - perhaps I'm making a bit of a meal out of it!