HDR vs GND Filter

KeithM2 · 04-18-2012, 02:39 PM

Question:
What would you prefer using: HDR (doing this through software) or just an old fashion graduated nd filter in 1 shot?

Obviously HDR is more time consuming but it's also cheaper if you don't want to spend money on good quality filters but using filters usually has an entirely different feel.

Doanh · 04-18-2012, 02:57 PM

This is not apple to apple comparison. HDR is a technique that combines multiple shots over a range of exposures to achieve a wider dynamic range. Whereas ND filter is used when you want to reduce the amount of light.

There is also fake HDR: split one image into multiple clones, push up/down the exposure in each image and recombine.

Bob from Aus · 04-18-2012, 03:08 PM

I can see where you are coming from. When a graduated ND filter is what will improve a photo would in camera HDR work?

I don't like the results of the in camera HDR and hardly ever use it. My P filter set is now redundant as I have gone from large zooms to small primes and need smaller filters. However I like the results I can get in lightroom 3 which as its own graduated filter and being able to fine tune the results. As I am always on the move and never hanging around to get the perfect photo, lightroom is the best option for me as my filters never come out.

tuco · 04-18-2012, 03:32 PM

You are talking about a graduated ND filter instead of a regular ND filter, right?

HDR can be done to look more natural. But it seems most go for the over-the-top look and its getting old and ugly looking, IMHO. And the all-time reason, but -oh - that's how my eyes saw it. Bull. Manually exposure blending is effective method too and it utilizes a more artistic human touch than the everyone's shot looks the same because they plugged and chugged through the same software.

In short, I'd say you can and may need to employ both methods. A graduated ND filter has limitations. Tall things in the foreground will also vary in exposure with the filter, for example. And exposure blending may not always be practical sometimes too.

Last edited by tuco; 04-18-2012 at 05:22 PM.

KeithM2 · 04-18-2012, 03:35 PM

@Doanh, I was referring to graduated neutral density filters, not the regular uniform ND filters.

@Bob I don't like the in-camera HDR either so I prefer taking multiple shots, bracketing manually and then combining it on computer.

Bob from Aus · 04-18-2012, 03:53 PM

Originally posted by KeithM2

I prefer taking multiple shots, bracketing manually and then combining it on computer

You are better man than me. I don't have the patience to set the camera on a trip and then sit behind the screen. maybe if I retire one day.

tuco · 04-18-2012, 04:15 PM

Originally posted by Bob from Aus

You are better man than me. I don't have the patience to set the camera on a trip and then sit behind the screen. maybe if I retire one day.

You can set the camera to exposure bracket and shoot handheld. Leave a little extra room around the boarder of the scene. Align the shots in, say, Photoshop (edit->align images). The camera snaps them fast. You really don't move it significantly enough.

Doanh · 04-18-2012, 04:21 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by KeithM2

@Doanh, I was referring to graduated neutral density filters, not the regular uniform ND filters.

@Bob I don't like the in-camera HDR either so I prefer taking multiple shots, bracketing manually and then combining it on computer.

Sorry, I misunderstood.

I guess it depends on what you are after. For static objects, I think HDR would be better as a filter may degrade the image a bit. You can achieve wider dynamic range with HDR but the image can be surreal. Go for GND if you want a realistic look.

Bob from Aus · 04-18-2012, 04:21 PM

Originally posted by tuco

Align the shots in, say, Photoshop (edit->align images).

Thanks - I will have a look at my version of photoshop

KeithM2 · 04-18-2012, 04:25 PM

Originally posted by tuco

You can set the camera to exposure bracket and shoot handheld. Leave a little extra room around the boarder of the scene. Align the shots in, say, Photoshop (edit->align images). The camera snaps them fast. You really don't move it significantly enough.

Unfortunately I have a K-r which does only 3 shot bracketing. FWIW in-camera hdr does okay with 3 shots but I usually prefer at least 5 shots if I were to actually take the time to edit in Photoshop

RioRico · 04-18-2012, 05:13 PM

I've done some HDR with images from my digicams but not often because it *is* a bit of work. I use a GND more often because I'm lazy, but it's only useful when the scene can be fairly nicely bisected. It's fine for seascapes etc. I should spend more time by the sea, eh?

04-18-2012, 02:39 PM	#1
KeithM2 Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Toronto, ON Posts: 49	HDR vs GND Filter Question: What would you prefer using: HDR (doing this through software) or just an old fashion graduated nd filter in 1 shot? Obviously HDR is more time consuming but it's also cheaper if you don't want to spend money on good quality filters but using filters usually has an entirely different feel.

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04-18-2012, 02:57 PM	#2
Doanh Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Edmonton, AB Posts: 247	This is not apple to apple comparison. HDR is a technique that combines multiple shots over a range of exposures to achieve a wider dynamic range. Whereas ND filter is used when you want to reduce the amount of light. There is also fake HDR: split one image into multiple clones, push up/down the exposure in each image and recombine.

04-18-2012, 03:08 PM	#3
Bob from Aus Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,094	I can see where you are coming from. When a graduated ND filter is what will improve a photo would in camera HDR work? I don't like the results of the in camera HDR and hardly ever use it. My P filter set is now redundant as I have gone from large zooms to small primes and need smaller filters. However I like the results I can get in lightroom 3 which as its own graduated filter and being able to fine tune the results. As I am always on the move and never hanging around to get the perfect photo, lightroom is the best option for me as my filters never come out.

04-18-2012, 03:32 PM	#4
tuco Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Pugetopolis Posts: 11,030	You are talking about a graduated ND filter instead of a regular ND filter, right? HDR can be done to look more natural. But it seems most go for the over-the-top look and its getting old and ugly looking, IMHO. And the all-time reason, but -oh - that's how my eyes saw it. Bull. Manually exposure blending is effective method too and it utilizes a more artistic human touch than the everyone's shot looks the same because they plugged and chugged through the same software. In short, I'd say you can and may need to employ both methods. A graduated ND filter has limitations. Tall things in the foreground will also vary in exposure with the filter, for example. And exposure blending may not always be practical sometimes too. Last edited by tuco; 04-18-2012 at 05:22 PM.

04-18-2012, 03:35 PM	#5
KeithM2 Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Toronto, ON Posts: 49 Original Poster	@Doanh, I was referring to graduated neutral density filters, not the regular uniform ND filters. @Bob I don't like the in-camera HDR either so I prefer taking multiple shots, bracketing manually and then combining it on computer.

04-18-2012, 03:53 PM	#6
Bob from Aus Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,094	Originally posted by KeithM2 I prefer taking multiple shots, bracketing manually and then combining it on computer You are better man than me. I don't have the patience to set the camera on a trip and then sit behind the screen. maybe if I retire one day.

04-18-2012, 04:15 PM	#7
tuco Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Pugetopolis Posts: 11,030	Originally posted by Bob from Aus You are better man than me. I don't have the patience to set the camera on a trip and then sit behind the screen. maybe if I retire one day. You can set the camera to exposure bracket and shoot handheld. Leave a little extra room around the boarder of the scene. Align the shots in, say, Photoshop (edit->align images). The camera snaps them fast. You really don't move it significantly enough.

04-18-2012, 04:21 PM - 1 Like	#8
Doanh Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Edmonton, AB Posts: 247	Originally posted by KeithM2 @Doanh, I was referring to graduated neutral density filters, not the regular uniform ND filters. @Bob I don't like the in-camera HDR either so I prefer taking multiple shots, bracketing manually and then combining it on computer. Sorry, I misunderstood. I guess it depends on what you are after. For static objects, I think HDR would be better as a filter may degrade the image a bit. You can achieve wider dynamic range with HDR but the image can be surreal. Go for GND if you want a realistic look.

04-18-2012, 04:21 PM	#9
Bob from Aus Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,094	Originally posted by tuco Align the shots in, say, Photoshop (edit->align images). Thanks - I will have a look at my version of photoshop

04-18-2012, 04:25 PM	#10
KeithM2 Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Toronto, ON Posts: 49 Original Poster	Originally posted by tuco You can set the camera to exposure bracket and shoot handheld. Leave a little extra room around the boarder of the scene. Align the shots in, say, Photoshop (edit->align images). The camera snaps them fast. You really don't move it significantly enough. Unfortunately I have a K-r which does only 3 shot bracketing. FWIW in-camera hdr does okay with 3 shots but I usually prefer at least 5 shots if I were to actually take the time to edit in Photoshop

04-18-2012, 05:13 PM	#11
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	I've done some HDR with images from my digicams but not often because it is a bit of work. I use a GND more often because I'm lazy, but it's only useful when the scene can be fairly nicely bisected. It's fine for seascapes etc. I should spend more time by the sea, eh?