Soft GND filter – gentle light balance for landscapes
If the sky is too bright and the foreground is in shadow, you need a graduated neutral density filter. The Soft Neutral Density filter is ideal when the horizon is not clearly defined—for example, in mountain landscapes, lakes with trees, or city panoramas. It provides a natural brightness balance and preserves the detail in the sky and clouds without darkening the foreground.
What is a soft GND filter?
A Soft GND (Graduated Neutral Density) filter has a soft, flowing gradient from dark (top) to clear (bottom). Unlike a Hard GND, the density gradient is much smoother—ideal when the dividing line between sky and landscape is irregular.
Typical application examples for Soft GND
- 🏞️ Hilly landscapes with soft horizons
- 🌲 Forests, meadows, lakes with light in the background
- 🌇 Cityscapes at sunset
- 🌄 Mountains with diffuse light
How is the soft GND filter used?
- Set up the tripod and determine the image section
- Equip the filter holder with the Soft GND
- Align the filter gradient to the horizon
- Check LiveView or histogram – fine-tune if necessary
Which strength makes sense?
- ▶ Soft GND 0.9 (3 stops) – for light contrasts in the morning or evening
- ▶ Soft GND 1.2 (4 stops) – for strong light differences at sunset
Your advantages with the LC-PRO 100 filter system
- 🧲 Combinable with magnetic CPL – for contrast and color saturation
- 📐 Finely adjustable in the holder – precise gradient position
- 🧤 Operation even in wind, cold or with gloves
Soft GND vs. other GND types – The comparison
| Filter type | Course | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|
| Soft GND | Gentle, flowing | Uneven horizon lines |
| Hard GND | Hard, abrupt | Flat landscapes, sea |
| Reverse GND | Dark in the middle | Sun directly on the horizon |
| Center GND | Density in the middle | Special case: Central light source |
Conclusion: Natural light with a soft gradient
The Soft GND filter is your tool when you need realistic brightness balance without harsh transitions. Especially in landscape photography during the golden hours, it provides more depth, better colors, and atmospheric results.