Ha ha Now that is interesting and a few points worthy of note, I have been to Essex and understand what you mean, I am from southern Hampshire which is much the same. Here is the exact opposite, almost nothing is flat for more that a few hundred yards, I live in a valley with the Pentland hills as a backdrop. Anyway back on topic a little. Richards point about how you use the filter is a good one and is something I was going to mention last night but it was too late and I was shattered. Using a grad filter in IMO it is important to meter the scene without the filter, so that the land is correctly exposed and the white balance (if using digital) is correct. Once that is done the grad filter should be inserted in the holder and pushed down until the point of graduation starts where land meets sky. This is approximate it is not always possible to get is exact depending on the terrain. Doing it this way reduces the light from the bright sky whilst not affecting the land which is mostly midtone and shadow. Funny that something so simple is so hard to explain, I do this all with very little effort, as I do it so often it just a matter of working habit. I thing also it would be prudent to mention that there are many variables to using filters, therefore there is a certain amount if trial and error needed. Excellent thread, I have leant a fair bit as well as offer my opinion, a credit to this forum and its members. Simon

The Truth is Out There