Landscapes.. How to get the metering right?

[benwall]

Hey, I'm really struggling with landscapes lately, I can either focus on the ground of the sky not both so when getting the ground focused and metered correctly the Sky is completely blown out.

This is the best I've done recently, but edited a lot in Lightroom to bring out the sky detail.

Any tips are appreciated!

 

[trencheel303]

This is why God invented the High Dynamic Range. The fact of the matter is unless you're using an S5, the dynamic range of the sensor won't cover the dark grounds and the bright sky.

 

[Nick T]

It's why God invented ND grad filters!

Get yourself a set of ND4 and ND8 hard grads, along with a holder. Then when your sky is too bright, simply use one of those babies to calm the sky down and get a balanced exposure

 

[Vulkan75]

Spot meter from a neutral mid tone in the foreground take note of the exposure settings.Then take an exposure reading for the sky...note the difference in stops and add the appropriate Nd grad.

Alternatively take two shots one for the sky and one for the foreground and blend in PS.

 

[Bendihossan]

Spot meter from a neutral mid tone in the foreground take note of the exposure settings.Then take an exposure reading for the sky...note the difference in stops and add the appropriate Nd grad.

Alternatively take two shots one for the sky and one for the foreground and blend in PS.

^ What he said

 

[Les McLean]

It's why God invented ND grad filters!

Get yourself a set of ND4 and ND8 hard grads, along with a holder. Then when your sky is too bright, simply use one of those babies to calm the sky down and get a balanced exposure

^ What he said

 

[dinners]

ND Grads are you friend.

As well as the old problem with light / dark they also allow you introduce movement. You can use a longer exposure for the foreground (think waves, streams or swirly grass) without the lighter sky blowing out.

 

[trencheel303]

It's why God invented ND grad filters!

Get yourself a set of ND4 and ND8 hard grads, along with a holder. Then when your sky is too bright, simply use one of those babies to calm the sky down and get a balanced exposure

that too

 

[benwall]

Some great advice here, thanks all. I will try all of the above.

 

[madmackem]

Spot meter from a neutral mid tone in the foreground take note of the exposure settings.Then take an exposure reading for the sky...note the difference in stops and add the appropriate Nd grad.

Alternatively take two shots one for the sky and one for the foreground and blend in PS.

Something that really bugged me a bit as well
Thanks for the advice - shopping now!

 

[Bumph GB]

Bracketing might also help.