Advantages of ND Grad filters?

Hi guys, okay, I see the advantage in using a ND filter. The effect on water and clouds and the way it makes them smooth flowing, it is something that IMO cannot be done in Photoshop well enough BUT what about ND Grad filters? If they are ND, that means that they have no effect on color such as the polarizer. What are the advantages of using a whole ND grad system if I could get two shots with two different exposures, and then blend them in Photoshop? I know that can be done easily and I have been doing it. Is it just to save you time and to minimize post processing work?

There's the school of thought that pre-processing is always better than post-processing.

It boils down to a matter preference is all. I use my regular ND more often than I do by GND, as I kinda prefer the blending in post processing too.

Tsmith wrote in post #5985768
It boils down to a matter preference is all. I use my regular ND more often than I do by GND, as I kinda prefer the blending in post processing too.

Which ND filter do you have? I'm trying to figure out what would be the most useful/most used one for general purposes and so far I'm leaning toward a 10 stop B+W ND filter. If it is too dark or too light , I'll just compensate with ISO and aperture ...

10 stop is a lot - way too much.

You should be selecting the ND grad based on the f stop range in the scene you are shooting. In practice I just bung one in and try it. I find a 3 stop ND grad is quite useful. But you would be better having a couple in your bag. I carry a 2 and a 3, which can be used independently or together.

I think he's talking about a 10-stop solid ND. With regard to ND grads, personally I think they have been superseded by HDR for digital landscapers. The latter technique, when used properly shows the tones of the sky and land in a more even distribution and in a less contrived looking way.

HDR takes lot of playing with, especially after the images have been combined. Even when done right, it still looks contrived.

OP: If you already have a high quality CPL, this can double as a 1-2 stop ND filter, depending on how much polarization you have dialed in. So, buying a 2-stop really wouldn't be a good way to spend your money. You'd be better off starting with a 3-stop and a 6-stop ND filter. In a pinch for more light reduction, they can be stacked with only some slight vignetting. This is a little more flexible than a single 10-stop filter and should be enough to get you started.

Since you do this in PS already, you should know. Blending in PS adds a lot of noise. Using a filter adds no noise.

Well, you said it yourself - "if I could get two shots with two different exposures" - and nothing moved between the two, including anything in your subject, or the focus, or the zoom, or . . . You absolutely need a tripod for multiple merged shots. You can get away with hand-holding with grads in a pinch.

pixel_junkie wrote in post #5988804
Which ND filter do you have? I'm trying to figure out what would be the most useful/most used one for general purposes and so far I'm leaning toward a 10 stop B+W ND filter. If it is too dark or too light , I'll just compensate with ISO and aperture ...

I use HiTech 2 and 3 stop ND filters plus if needed I can add the CPL for an additional reduction in exposure.

Jon _ although I don't condone the practice I've been quite successful at times with my IS lens using the cameras auto bracket and high speed shutter for hand held multiple shots. Just gotta pay attention not to go below say 1/6 second with my 24-105 lens

Yes, I have done the same on a few occasions when necessary. You just need to get the software to align the exposures.

For multiple exposure of the same object, I always use a tripod. Thats no problem. I was just curious what (if anything) will a ND grad filter give me, that I can get with a tripod, braketing and Photoshop. Now I get it, the comment about the rule that pre processing is always better then post processing is a valid point that answers my question. I was curious if there's actualy more to the ND grad filter that I wasn't aware of.

canonloader wrote in post #5989330
Since you do this in PS already, you should know. Blending in PS adds a lot of noise. Using a filter adds no noise.

I'm not too sure this statement is correct. If you know what youre' doing, noise is never an issue.

I probably don't know what I'm doing in CS3, cause every time I make a blending layer, it adds noise I can see. Probably why I quit trying.

canonloader wrote in post #5990336
I probably don't know what I'm doing in CS3, cause every time I make a blending layer, it adds noise I can see. Probably why I quit trying.

If you are working in 8 bpc, it can happen. Using a small color space (sRGB) can make it worse.