Should I Add a GND Filter to My Photography Gear Collection?
Photographers are often frustrated because the images they capture on their cameras don’t come near to what they see with the naked eye. This is largely due to exposure issues that wash out certain details. Could a Graduated Neutral Density (GND) Filter be the solution to this problem? Read on to find out.
What is a GND Filter?
A Gnd Filter is made up of a completely transparent area and a darker section. If you position it so that the darker section of the lens lines up with the brighter part of the scene you are taking and vice versa, you will reduce exposure differences giving your photos a more natural look. It will allow you to capture details in bright and dark areas.
Types of GND Filters
There are several types of Gnd Filters on the market. Here are a few to consider adding to your collection.
Hard-Edged Filters: These lenses have a clear boundary between transparent and dark areas. They are ideal when your scene is clearly defined. For example, they will be perfect when photographing a seascape with a flat horizon.
Soft Edged Filters: As the name suggests, these lenses have a softer transition and go from light to dark more gradually. They are useful when the separation between light and dark in the scene is not as distinct. They are ideal for photographing a mountainous scene where the mountains intersect with the sky.
Reverse Filters: These are similar to hard edged filters, but the dark area will fade as you move the line of separation to the upper border of the filter making the filter darker in the middle rather than at the edge. They are perfect for managing sunrises and sunsets where the light is more intense in the middle of the scene.
GND filters are also distinguished by the materials they are made of and their ability to block light.
How to Use GND Filters
To make the best use of your GND filter, you’ll want to start by taking exposure readings off the darkest and brightest parts of the scene. The difference in exposure will let you know the type of filter you’ll need.
So if your meter reading for the sky is 1/250s and the reading for the foreground is 1/30s then the difference between the readings will be 3 stops (1/250s, 1/125s, 1/60s, 1/30s). So you should use a .9 (3 stop) GND.
A GND filter can be mounted directly on your camera lens This makes sense as a screw-on filter will not provide you with the proper alignment. The pop-on design allows you to position the parts of the lens where they need to be.
You can also use a filter holder to avoid holding the filter with your hands. The holder will avoid fingertip smudging and keep your filter on the lens once it’s attached.
GND filters are great for getting natural-looking details that normally can only be captured by the human eye. They will help you get the terrific-looking photos you are after. Will you be adding one to your collection?
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