Photomatix comparison with and without Cokin ND Grad filter

http://dombowerphoto.blogspot.com/2011/05/hdr-editing-tips.html

in this quick video i compare the effects of having a strong ND graduated filter in front of my tokina 11-16mm f2.8 when it is edited in exactly the same way in the HDR software Photomatix.

there is very little difference.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Photomatix
• comparison
• with
• and
• without
• Cokin
• ND
• Grad
• filter
• photo
• editing
• software
• dom
• bower
• www.dombower.com

[MrSteveo357]

I would like to see a comparison of an "HDR no Grad ND filter " shot to a one exposure shot that has a Grad ND filter.to me that would be more useful.

[dombower]

@MrSteveo357 if you stop the video really quickly at 1.20 you see the difference.

[patrick2504]

Great vid Dom, I think we mortals would like to see a tutorial on how to set the camera up to take those bracketed exposures automatically !!

[dombower]

@patrick2504 it will be different for every camera, just check your instruciton book you got with your camera.

[Tortuga699]

Not much diffrence like you said but you just dont do HDR everywhere, you have to know when to use this proper technique, anyway thx for posting. What I do like is the Filter you use. Does it fit on any lens? it might be cheaper than having to buy filter for every lens. I saw a video with a long exposure with filter like your, the guy was holding it with is hand, playing with it to let enter some light on the bottom of the front lens, he was capturing a water cacsade, it gave great result.

[dombower]

@Tortuga699 i know the video you are taking about. and that is a fine tech for areas where you want to make the graduation more graduated.

[yellowbandana]

uhm why use a filter when you're going to take 5 different exposures? it makes no sense, you use the filter so you dont have to use different exposures

[bdahms]

This was really, really useful. Thank you for putting it together and posting it!

[barant1]

HDR is cheating. and i love to cheat, but...there are still times when a single exp with the grad will look better than a merged photo

[Fotojensen]

@MrSteveo357 Then buy one and make a video of it so we can see :o)

[trackend]

Sorry Dom nothing against your good little demo I like your postings, but when they first came out it was not long before they became known as Cockup filters. They are not as flat as optical glass, attract dust like mad and mark as soon as you look at them I would rather have fewer filters but glass ones in front of my lenses.

Good videos though Dom

[Roberto87]

Not even worth it.

I think it would be better to work with a single exposure + grad filter. Maybe is just the magic of doing things by yourself instead of getting surreal HDRs. Great videos!

[Uscbryan949]

I second that. I'm curious to see HDR no filter to single exposure with filter. I like HDR But in a limited amount. They can be too done. Great for artsy photos but do get old quick.

[atyl1972]

dom what holder did you have on the camera, as i have just bought the tokina 12-24mm II lens and need a holder for it but not quite sure which to go for as i don't want the holder showing, any ideas please?