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Graduated neutral density (ND) filters are a great tool to use when trying to capture high contrast landscape scenes. In this case I used a 0.3 ND (1 stop) filter. Generally speaking water is usually 2-3 stops darker during sunset and sunrise reflection shots. However in this case the sun was to the right of the angle of view therefore the intensity of light was much less, hence the 1 stop ND.
To shoot a good sunset, set your camera to manual on a tripod, use matrix metering and meter for the scene. Take a shot and preview it on the cameras LCD screen along with the histogram. If everything below the skyline looks bright enough then you are set to shoot with the graduated ND filter. Keep the same settings and introduce the ND filter up to the waterline and skyline meeting point and take the shot. This should be it. If the sky is still too bright go one stop higher with the graduated ND filter. I usually carry a set of three 0.3ND (1 stop), 0.6ND (2 stops) and 0.9ND (3 stops). This is enough for almost all scenes I have encountered. You could also stack the ND filters up to a total of 6 stops of contrast balance. But this usually leads to a lower quality picture and vignetting .
Awesome!!
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