Photography is all about capturing light, and if you're looking to improve your landscape shots, graduated filters can be a game changer. Whether you're a budding photographer or a seasoned pro, using graduated filters is one of the best ways to balance exposure and bring out the natural beauty of a scene. In this blog, I’ll guide you through the essentials of graduated filters and review some of the top options available on the market today.

What Are Graduated Filters?

Graduated filters (or "grad filters") are pieces of glass or resin that are darker at one end and gradually transition to clear. They're typically used in landscape photography to balance the exposure between the bright sky and the darker land. Without them, you might find that either your sky is overexposed or your landscape is underexposed – not ideal when you’re trying to capture the perfect shot!

By placing the darker part of the filter over the sky, you can reduce its brightness and create a well-balanced image, with more detail visible in both the sky and the landscape.

Why You Need Graduated Filters in Your Kit

Even though modern cameras have impressive dynamic range and post-processing software can help balance exposure, nothing beats the precision and control that comes with using a graduated filter in the field. For instance, no matter how skilled you are in editing, it's much easier to capture a well-balanced photo straight from the camera. This saves time in post-processing and gives your images a more natural look.

Graduated filters also let you get creative with your shots, particularly when you're working with challenging lighting conditions like sunsets or sunrises. They give you the freedom to control the light in real-time, making your images stand out with their clarity and richness.

Types of Graduated Filters

Graduated filters come in different styles depending on the transition between the darker and clear areas. The most common ones are:

Soft Graduated Filters – These have a gentle, smooth transition from dark to clear, perfect for scenes where the horizon isn’t well-defined, like mountains or forests.

Hard Graduated Filters – These have a sharper transition and are ideal for images with a clear horizon, such as coastal shots or open fields.

Reverse Graduated Filters – These are darker at the middle of the filter, making them perfect for shooting sunrises and sunsets, where the brightest part of the image is near the horizon.

Coloured Graduated Filters – These add a creative tint to your photos, such as a blue sky or a warm orange sunset.

The Best Graduated Filters?

There are many brands to choose from, but here’s a quick review of some of the best filters on the market right now. These filters are popular among photographers for their quality and durability, making them worth considering for your kit.

Lee Filters 100mm ND Soft Grad Filter

If you’re serious about landscape photography, Lee Filters is a name you’ve likely come across. Their 100mm ND Soft Grad is a classic. It offers a smooth transition that makes it ideal for many landscape scenes, where you need to gently balance the brightness of the sky and foreground. The optical quality is excellent, providing crisp, detailed images without any colour cast.

You'll also need the Lee filter system to use these, we would also recommend a filter pouch, you don't want to be sratching expensive filters like these.

NiSi Reverse Graduated ND Filter

For those dramatic sunrise or sunset shots, the NiSi Reverse Grad ND filter is a fantastic choice. It darkens the centre of the frame, helping to control the exposure around the sun when it’s close to the horizon. NiSi is known for their superior optical coatings, which reduce reflections and ensure accurate colour reproduction.

Although these filters come with a protective pouch, you will still have to buy a compatible filter holder system to go with them.

Hoya ProND Grad Filter

Hoya’s ProND Grad filters are known for their affordability and solid performance. With a more budget-friendly price tag, these filters don’t compromise on quality. They offer consistent results with a balanced exposure across your frame. The ProND Grad is lightweight and easy to use, making it great for beginners who want to try out graduated filters without spending too much.

Cokin Gradual Neutral Grey GND4

If you’re looking for a versatile and portable option, Cokin’s range of graduated filters is worth considering. The Cokin Gradual Neutral Grey GND4 is a solid choice, especially for hobbyists. It helps control the exposure of bright skies, and its resin material makes it lightweight and more affordable compared to glass filters. It’s also compatible with the Cokin filter holder system, which is incredibly easy to use.

Formatt Hitech Firecrest Soft Edge ND Grad

This filter from Formatt Hitech offers outstanding colour neutrality and excellent sharpness. The Firecrest range is built to last, featuring an anti-scratch, water-repellent coating. It’s an excellent option for professional photographers who need a durable filter that performs under various conditions. The soft edge makes it suitable for scenes where the horizon is less defined, like in forest or mountainous landscapes.

How to Use Graduated Filters Effectively

Using a graduated filter is simpler than you might think. You’ll need a filter holder and an adaptor ring that matches your lens diameter. Once your holder is in place, you simply slide the graduated filter into it and adjust its position to line up with the horizon in your scene.

The trick is to position the darker part of the filter over the sky and adjust it so that the transition matches the natural light. It’s all about practice and experimentation. Once you’ve got the hang of it, you’ll notice a significant improvement in your images, especially in tricky lighting situations.

Graduated filters are an essential tool for any landscape photographer. While digital editing tools have their place, nothing compares to capturing a beautifully balanced image right from the start. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to upgrade your gear, there’s a graduated filter out there for you. By investing in one of the high-quality filters mentioned above, you’ll be well on your way to creating stunning, professional-grade images that will wow your audience.

So, why not give them a try? With a bit of practice and patience, you’ll wonder how you ever managed without one!

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