What is a graduated neutral density filter?
A graduated neutral density filter is a specialized type of neutral density filter. Such a filter has a dark side and a clear side with a smooth transition line between the two. Such filters are useful for taking photos of scenes where one half is bright and the other less so. For example, a classic case where GND filters are useful is that of a sunset. Light from the setting sun isn t as bright as the noonday sun but is still too bright for the range of film to accommodate. So if you meter to get the sky right then the ground or ocean portion of the photo will be wildly underexposed and look like a dark blob. But if you meter for the darker section then the sky will be completely blown out and overexposed. The answer is to use a graduated neutral density. You position the filter such that the darker section darkens ( holds back ) the sky and the clear section is over the non-sky areas. You then expose for the darker area and the bright area will come through beautifully. GND filters c
