GND filters - how do you "feather" handholding the filters?

[troypiggo]

I have recently got a Lee filter system holder and some GND filters. Only used them twice.

First time I used the holder, but wasn't happy with the horizon. I think the filter was a little lower in the holder than it should have been. My fault through inexperience. I mentioned this to someone who does some awesome landscapes using hand-held GND filters, and he swears by that method and has neved used a holder.

So on my second outing I tried this hand-holding but for 30s exposures I couldn't hold it steady enough, my fingers wobbled into shot a bit, and the horizon was a bit of a mess. I do have pretty steady hands IMO. Ended up going back to the filter holder and was very happy with the results this time: http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=992153

I know it's probably practise like everything else. Wondering if you have any tips for me?

PS - thought I'd add a poll on whether you hand-hold or use the holder

[JeffCS]

Hi...I also use the Lee filter system and have 3 soft GND filters, .3, .6, and .9 plus the holder. The filters are the 4"X6" size which easily facilitates hand holding them. What size are you using? If you're using the smaller size, they are harder to hand hold. Typically I hand hold the filter for most exposures and for exposures of a few seconds or so it isn't a problem. I read somewhere, and my apologies I don't recall where, that you can use drafting tape to tape just enough of the long edges of the filters to hold them together so the taped edges can't be seen in the image. This will allow you to put multiple filters together aligned in the way you want them and then hand hold them for the exposure. This would work ok for short exposures but as you found out would still be a problem to long exposures. Like you, I have pretty steady hands. I would try the drafting tape and see if that works for you. Make sure it's drafing tape that you use since the adhesive is fairly light and won't stick to the surface of the filter.

Good luck, Jeff

[troypiggo]

I've got the 4x6 filters - a 3 stop hard, 3 stop reverse, and 2 stop soft. Lens was a 17-40L.

Mighth just have to practise a bit (lot?) more :)

[argyle]

Practice. Also, you can use your DOF preview button to help with seeing the placement of the gradient. Handholding, which I'll do on occasion, also increases the chances for scratching the filters through contact with the lens barrel.