Graduated Neutral Density Filters for landscape photography.

In this comprehensive guide, we will talk about Graduated Neutral Density Filters for landscape photography.

There is a common situation when taking pictures of the landscape: we shoot a beautiful sunset view, and instead of the sky in the picture – just a white spot. Or vice versa – the sky is exposed correctly, but only black spots are left in the foreground.

This problem is the uneven illumination of these parts of the frame: the sky is much brighter than the foreground.
And if our eyes can see the whole scene, the camera displays it differently. The dynamic range of the camera is not infinite – sometimes it is not possible to capture in one photo the whole set of the brightness of the selected scene.

The sun makes a landscape picture so contrasting that modern sensors cannot record all the magnificence that the eye can see. That’s when graduated ND filters save the situation.

Neutral filters, reduce the amount of light that enters the camera. ND filters make it possible to open the aperture wider and reduce the depth of field, clearly separating the subject from the background and maintaining detail.
Most photographers have these filters as standard accessories.

But in recent years, there has been a growing debate about the need to use Graduated Neutral Density Filters.

VAL D’ORCIA IN TUSCANY

Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Val d’Orcia is a stunning landscape. This is a valley that lies in between three towns: Pienza, San Quirico d’Orcia, and Montalcino.

Talking about the best in Tuscany, it is impossible to miss Val d’Orcia, the heart of this province of Italy, it is the most important part.

The word “Val” in Italian means “valley”, while “Orcia” is the name of the river that flows through it. 

It is here that you can see the incredible landscapes of the famous Tuscan hills and fields, it is here that a huge number of feature films were filmed.

Here you can see how legendary Tuscan wines are made and of course, you should arrange unforgettable tastings.

SAN QUIRICO D’ORCIA

San Quirico d’Orcia is located in the amazing Val d’Orcia, Tuscany about 35 km from Siena and 80 km from Florence. The city is named after St. Quiriqus.

In the Middle Ages, San Quirico d’Orcia is located on Via Francigena. Via Francigena is one of the main pilgrimage routes of the Middle Ages and connects northern Europe with Rome in the Middle Ages.

It’s a tiny town that you can see in half a day. But you can stay here longer. San Quirico d’Orcia is a good base to explore this region of Tuscany. It is a central place to visit Pienza, Montepulciano and Val d’Orcia.

NEUTRAL DENSITY FILTERS CHART

The Neutral Density (ND) filter is a filter placed before the lens to reduce the intensity of light. ND filter does not change the color of the light being captured by the camera. Long Exposure Photography is one of them. Control of Shutter Speed is the key technique to take LE photos.

Uttakleiv Beach in Lofoten Islands

Did you know that the most romantic Lofoten beach is Uttakleiv beach? I agree with it. It’s an amazingly beautiful place. One of my favorite beaches on the Lofoten Islands. A unique atmosphere, the green grass behind which the sheep take care of. Huge boulders in the sea and waves. Beautiful sunsets and sunrises. At any time of the year, Uttakleiv is stunning. It is especially beautiful here in winter at sunset and in summer during sunrise. This is the best place to observe the Northern Lights.

Haukland beach in Lofoten Islands

Haukland Beach repeatedly has been mentioned as Norway’s most beautiful beach on the Lofoten Archipelago. On Lofoten is a lot of spectacular beaches, Haukland Beach is one of the most beautiful all. There is a reason.