Grad-ND filter in PP

[nicotine]

I've noticed that many people desire for grad-ND filters but can't afford them or don't want to buy them so I figured I'd make this tutorial of a technique I use to get the same effect without having the filter. It is more tedious to do than simply having a grad-ND filter but is great for the people who can't afford one.

Requirements:

• Post processing software, I'll be using Photoshop CS4 but anything that lets you use layers and erasers will work just fine
• Two exposures, will be detailed below
• Tripod
• Bit of patience

In this example we will be recreating this scene:


In this scene, metering for the waves and rocks in the foreground completely blew out the sky and metering for the sky made the rocks and water way too dark so I decided to use my technique.

Exposures
To use this technique you need two exposures, in our example we will need one exposed for the water:

and the sky:


As you can see each on its own is not desirable at all. Also be sure you use a tripod because you want each picture to have the exact same composition or as close to it as you can get to make it easier on yourself.

After you have these two exposures do your regular post production on the parts you want, so for the foreground shot adjust so that it looks like you want it to and same for the sky part.

After the pictures are post processed to what you desire you can combine them into one.
You can create a new document or drag one on top of the other, I've chosen to drag the foreground picture into the sky picture:


Continued in next post to embed more screenshots.

[nicotine]

Also it's very important that the two images are on separate layers:


Now you need to make sure that the images line up, easy if you've used a tripod because the images should be exactly the same except for the exposure. After you've done that just erase the top layer (the foreground) to reveal the properly exposed sky:


Try to erase only the part you need, in this picture the sky, and after you've finished it you should have your properly exposed picture as shown in the first post

And there you have it you now have an evenly exposed picture that didn't require you to buy a filter. However it's not a perfect substitute for a grad-ND filter and definitely not as convient but it does the job for most scenes, and is great for people who can't afford or don't want to buy a filter.

[kencaleno]

You only need one jpeg:

Graduated Neutral Density Filter effect

Add adjustment layer> levels
Drag right slider to left
Drag middle slider to left (These moves enable you to get the foreground how you want it-don't worry about the sky blowing out-it will be fixed with the next action))
Press “D” or "X" to make foreground color black
Press “G” for gradient
Choose linear gradient -black to transparent-2nd icon from left
Drag cursor from top of image down to horizon
flatten/save

Regards, Ken