Simple filter solution - outdoors / landscape

andy tims

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Andy
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Looking for the least complex filter solution for general outdoors shooting and a bit of landscape photography.
Is there a one stop solution that will give me decent results in most situations? I'm talking mainly about over-exposed skies and would love to just fit a single filter.
If not, what would you guys suggest as the most minimal / simplest solution?

Thanks in advance.
 
The least complex is a screw in ND grad filter - but I wouldn't bother as you become very limited in where you can put your horizon in the frame.

What you really need is a square filter system - this is made up of a holder to fit onto your lens and then a slot in filter. Personally I use Lee filters but there are cheaper options using HiTech filters and I belive a cokin P holder.
 
Thanks so far - any more tips?

A mate told me last night that he just uses a screw in circular polariser, shoots in RAW & sorts the rest out on the computer.
 
RAW + PP helps alot as does the CP outdoors; wouldn't recomend using it indoors (unless its very bright) as it does cut the light a bit.
 
The least complex is a screw in ND grad filter - but I wouldn't bother as you become very limited in where you can put your horizon in the frame.

What you really need is a square filter system - this is made up of a holder to fit onto your lens and then a slot in filter. Personally I use Lee filters but there are cheaper options using HiTech filters and I belive a cokin P holder.

This is your answer! Buy some ND Grad filters, or exposure blend two shots (shivers)
 
Thanks so far - any more tips?

A mate told me last night that he just uses a screw in circular polariser, shoots in RAW & sorts the rest out on the computer.

Your mates solution is perfectly valid and will allow alot of revovery of highlight details but maybe not enough.

Another non-filter option is to bracket you exposures and blend the results to get the right exposure, this could be done simply in photoshop of for a more pronounced effect use some HDR software.

If you want to go filters get a cheap P holder and a couple of grads.

What ever solution you go for I'd recomend including a circular polarizing filter as this is the one effect you cannot reproduce (easily) in photoshop.
 
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