Graduated Filters For Landscapes

Hi Folks, I've just been testing some new neutral density graduated filters and thought the comparison might make a good post for those considering buying some grads. I would say if you do a lot of landscape work, these things are essential. You can use HDR but it's extra work and results can be very hit and miss. Grads are basically rectangular bits of plastic that have a clear end and a shaded end. The shaded end is to compensate for the brightness of the sky, your brain does this automatically but cameras aren't that smart. You then expose for the land and if you have the right filter the sky should also expose properly instead of being 'blown out'. You can get 1, 2 & 3 stop filters, 3 being the darkest, and the one I used in this example. You normally have to buy a holder and an adapter ring to screw into the front of your lens. A firm called Cokin make reasonable filters, holders can be bought fairly cheaply off ebay. I actually started with hitech filters and would recommend them. Anyway these two photos were both taken using the same exposure, ISO100 f11 1/60 16mm (I wasn't going for an award winning shot so comments on composition etc aren't necessary) They are merely to show the effect of using grads.

Before
After