Filters or Photoshop

[britt777]

got a filter a question.

Do I buy GND filters or blend in PS? I would like to save the expense. Time and aggravation of setting up filters if possible.

Can anyone give some tips and or advise on this matter.

I have read that many people since PS and digital cameras are leaving the filters behind.

opinions please

[Billginthekeys]

although a lot of simple effect filters (warming cooling ect) have been left in the dust with photoshop, GNDs definitly are still just as great a tool as they always have been. Because they can literally stop light from coming in and create seperate amounts of exposure in the picture. also you dont have to take multiple photos on a tripod and spend forever blending them. definitly worth picking up (especially if you are a landscape shooter)

[britt777]

whitch would be better. hard and soft edge .06 or two different stops?

[PhotosGuy]

GNDs definitly are still just as great a tool as they always have been.

True, but RAW fills in a lot of the gaps & I think that PS, Layer masks, & blended exposures give me more control. I have had them for years, but don't carry them any more. OTOH, if you need to "impress the natives", extra gear is always good for that?

An example of how to use a Layer Mask to selectivly lighten/darken part of a pic. It's easily reversible: Airport runway shoot

[lomond]

I'd have to say both.
I normally use GND filters when possible.
It saves a lot of PP time.
Sometimes ( without even more expense ) PS blending is the only way.

For example the light/dark border forms a chevron in this image;
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/...ghlight=pooley
Basically, it's much cheaper to do this in PS than to buy the necessary kit to manage it with one shot.

[Mike R]

I don't regret getting GND filters. Since I already use a tripod for most of my landscape shots,It is no effort to use the GND filters. I feel that it is too much effort to have to spend any more time than necessary in front of the PC, As it is I shoot RAW for most shots and have to spend a little time on each one anyway, I just don't want to increase my post processing time. This could be a never ending debate,like Jpeg vs Raw.

[R Hardman]

Anything you can do to save having to process the image in PS is worth it.

[britt777]

Thanks for all the tips and Hardman I couldn't agree more. I guess I will be off to buy my GND filter set up.

[Croasdail]

Hey Brittany.... just a personal observation here. For me, the fun in it is capturing the image. It's being on location, looking at the situation, and trying to figure out how to capture it the best I can. It's for that reason I like filters because I can work dynamically in the environment trying to capture it the best I can. I prefer to spend my time in the field rather then at my desk. The down side, is a filtered image is often tougher to tweak in post processing because the effect is baked into the image. But that is just my style. There are those that love photoshop and are masters at the tool. They can lovingly pull the best of the image out on screen. I am just a little more comfortbale behind the camera.

[britt777]

Ok, so for X-Mas I got my GND filter .06 soft edge. I couldn't be happier, but I have a few issues. One I have never used these type of filters before and they seem a little difficult to move up and down. The whole holder wants to slide off. Am I doing something wrong? Two, I am not sure how to tell where the best setting for the filter is. since the transition is so gradual. Any tips would be greatly appreaciated. Thanks, and HAPPY NEW YEAR's

[jfrancho]

I use both methods, but I like using the filters. Even then, I have taken bracketed exposures and combined them using the various techniques.

[Mike R]

Originally Posted by britt777

Ok, so for X-Mas I got my GND filter .06 soft edge. I couldn't be happier, but I have a few issues. One I have never used these type of filters before and they seem a little difficult to move up and down. The whole holder wants to slide off. Am I doing something wrong? Two, I am not sure how to tell where the best setting for the filter is. since the transition is so gradual. Any tips would be greatly appreaciated. Thanks, and HAPPY NEW YEAR's

If the holder wants to slide off, it means that the holder is not fully seated on the ring. The rear of th holder has a tab at the bottom that the ring should rest on. If you use the DOF preview to stop the lens down you can see the transition better, But using it takes some getting use to. At the narrower apertures the viewfinder will get dark and in bright conditions it may take a little for your eyes to adjust. You may even need a hat to shield you and the viwfinder from the brightness around you. While you press the DOF preview button, slide the filter up and down, even a little side to side and you will be able to better see the transition so you can then set it where you want it. GND filtes come in soft and hard edge, On cameras with a crop factor such as yours, The soft edge transition is much more difficult to notice. I hope this helps and Happy New Year.