grad filter on cloudy day?

chris f

chris f

Veteran
I've got a short coming up where we are going to be shooting on a DVX in the morning which is almost always cloudy until the sun burns through later. Anyways I went out this morning to do some tests and to get the exposure right for where we will be shooting outdoors, the sky is in the frame and it is just completely blown out white. If it were not cloudy we'd be alright because the sky would be blue and darker, but we are planning on clouds. Would a grad filter help get the exposure on the clouds down? How noticeable is the gradient when it's on objects other than the sky, like the tall buildings in the shot?
 
As long as your camera is static, grads almost always work fine even when buildings and trees make up part or all of your horizon. Depending upon filer placement and use of a hard-edge or soft-edge grad, you can get it to look right no problem.

.
 
grads work well with clouds...i used one the other day and got some beautiful detail in what would have otherwise been an overexposed area of the shot. I was operating hand-held (minimal movement) and got great results...I too was concerned about the gradiant falling off of buildings but it really wasn't noticeable.

Also try a polarized filter as this can really help with retaining detail also.
 
I stuck a grad in for doing exactly this, expose for the sky and the land is dark, expose for the land and the sky is totaly white with no detail. The grad does a pretty good job, you just have to line up the gradient with the frame so it looks natural.
 
I use a b+W .6 Graduated ND filter all the time outside. I'm shooting a storm / tornado doc and it really helps you see the detail in the clouds. There is no harsh line if you don't get it lined up correctly, it has a very soft grade to it.
 
Definitely, Neutral Density is the way to go; .6 . Get a soft edge gradient unless you are working at the far end of your zoom.
2Filter.com usually has the best prices.
 
Last edited:
Yes, 2filter.com is a good place, mine was a b+w with the mrc coating that I bought through B&H...
 
Redrock are producing a set for their micromattebox, an ND, an ND grad and a polarizer. The price isnt announced yet but it will apparently be a very good price.
 
ND's and Grads, also try polarizer

ND's and Grads, also try polarizer

When I shoot outside, I stack my ND's and I also add a polarizer to darken the sky. You can see how dark the sky is and how bright the clouds are. Shot in extremely bright conditions.


1209307636.jpg
 
I think this is too dark. the polarizer helps, but you used too many nd filters, maybe just for demo purposes.
 
I think this is too dark. the polarizer helps, but you used too many nd filters, maybe just for demo purposes. I'd get a grad filter too.
 
Try it out with no polirizer and just the .6 graduated ND filter. 50% of the time I have to remove my UV filter because it is just to much glass to shoot through. Lots of glass hanging out front isn't always the best thing.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top