Cape Solander using Sigma 10-20 mm zoom

[Stevic123]

Hi, im a beginner DSLR photographer and this is my first attempt with my new Lens and filters, I used a Sigma 10-20 mm wide angle zoom and a Hoya Circular Polarizer.Ive heard that Neautral Density grad filters are the go for landscape photos but i am unsure of what type to get, should i get screw in or those square type ones (not sure what they are called ).Also the day i took this photo the uv index was very high and what settings would be better to get more into focus like the backgrounds.Also the CP filter was hard to get used to, it is half dark and half light, when is it best to use the dark half (if that didnt make sense, sorry im a newbie).

[OsmosisStudios]

With graduated ND filters, most people reccommend the square ones.

[Japaslavian]

Graduated filters are going to most often be most useful when square. The only time I could thing a circular one would be helpful is if you were taking a landscape shot at a weird angle.

As for the half-light half-dark thing... the light side is the filter doing next to nothing. That's what the scene would look like if you took the filter off, just maybe a stop darker. The dark side is when the filter is in full effect. You generally want to use this side when you want to reduce reflections in things like glass, water, and darkening the sky (if you're in the right position relative to the sun).

Here's a good read on the filter which will give you some examples of what the filter does:
http://www.cs.mtu.edu/~shene/DigiCam...polarizer.html

[Stevic123]

Originally Posted by Japaslavian

Graduated filters are going to most often be most useful when square. The only time I could thing a circular one would be helpful is if you were taking a landscape shot at a weird angle.

As for the half-light half-dark thing... the light side is the filter doing next to nothing. That's what the scene would look like if you took the filter off, just maybe a stop darker. The dark side is when the filter is in full effect. You generally want to use this side when you want to reduce reflections in things like glass, water, and darkening the sky (if you're in the right position relative to the sun).

Here's a good read on the filter which will give you some examples of what the filter does:
http://www.cs.mtu.edu/~shene/DigiCam...polarizer.html

Thanks for your help, im not sure what to buy though square ND grads or circle screw in ones, Ive heard that the cokin nd grads have some problems, i don't want anything spectacular with my shots i want to keep them faithful and sharp in detail and focus with some good color saturation, i don't really like the special effects filters, i was thinking of getting the the cokin nd graduated grey kit featured here http://www.digitalcamerawarehouse.com.au/prod2745.htm or the coloured and grey kit featured here http://www.digitalcamerawarehouse.com.au/prod2746.htm, what would you recommend