Hi Mrc,

While I cannot answer Misha's question, I know that Steve Kossack, whom I just went out to Death Valley with, is using Singh Ray's filters. Here are some reviews that he did:

http://www.stevekossack.com/tips/filters.htm

A primer on NDG Filters:
http://www.stevekossack.com/notes/NDGrads.htm

Cheers!
James

Mrc - I used a 2-fstop soft edge Singh Ray GND filter for the above shown wide-angle shots! I also own a pair of 3-fstop Singh Ray GND filters (hard and soft edge). Frankly, I don't know how can I live without these filters anymore

Hey Misha,

There was a lot of debate during the workshop as to what can be done with our without filters in PS. Where do you stand on this?

James

Hey James. Call me biased, but I think that HDR in Photoshop is cheating. I know that some may argue that using GND filters is also cheating. However, for me there is a big difference between getting as much as possible out of the camera vs. allowing heavy manipulations during post-processing. Not to mention that most of the HDR photos that I've seen to date look fake, where GND filters offer much more realistic perspective.

Misha

Fair enough. I do not use HDR in Photoshop as I did not upgrade to CS2. However, I have been using the heavy use of layers to try to mimic filters...and regretting not having been using them. The amount of work that I have added to my PS time to account for the varied dynamic ranges within images has been significant. Several folks, including Steve Kossack, were using them pretty extensively in our workshop (also the Singh Ray filters) though many seemed to shun them. I have been debating adding them to my catalog, particularly in hindsight.

-James

The first shot is spectacular and my favorite. I love the OR coast but only been there three times. Always try to drive south along coast when returning from trips up north (I'm is So. Cal.) I am convinced now to get a GND filter.

Misha, think your first photo is just great. A lucky man to be where you were when you were!! I'm a total sucker for God Beams, anywhere !! And the exp is good too. A good foreground with soft seas.

Masterfully exposed Misha, very pleasing pictures, especially the wide shots.