Explore a comprehensive tutorial on how to use the Graduated Filter tool in Lightroom, including practical exercises on adjusting the size and scope, deleting filter masks, and creating a feathered darkening effect on images.
This exercise is excerpted from Noble Desktop’s past Lightroom training materials and is compatible with Lightroom updates through 2020. To learn current skills in Lightroom, check out our Photo Retouching Certificate and graphic design classes in NYC and live online.
Note: These materials are provided to give prospective students a sense of how we structure our class exercises and supplementary materials. During the course, you will get access to the accompanying class files, live instructor demonstrations, and hands-on instruction.
Topics covered in this Lightroom tutorial:
The Graduated Filter tool, Adjusting the size & scope of the Graduated Filter, Deleting filter masks
Exercise Preview
Exercise Overview
In this exercise, you will learn how to use the Graduated Filter tool. We’ll use it to adjust the exposure of an image, creating a feathered darkening effect on the sky.
The Graduated Filter Tool
- If you have not imported the photos that were imported in Exercise 2E:
- Go into the Library module.
- At the bottom left of the screen, click Import.
- In the dialog box that appears, on the left under Source, navigate to Desktop > Class Files > Lightroom Class and select the Develop folder.
- At the top, above the photos, make sure Add is selected (highlighted).
- On the bottom right, click Import.
In the Library module, click on the sky & horizon photo (20110820_ben_199).
Press D to go into the Develop module.
On the right side under the Histogram panel, click the Graduated Filter tool
.In the panel that appears, from the Effect menu, select Exposure.
Below that, drag the Exposure slider to the left, to around − 1.80.
-
Hold Shift, then click and drag from the topmost center point of the photo to a little past the bottom of the photo, in a straight line down as shown below:
Click the Graduated Filter tool
again to deselect it.- Let’s examine our work:
- At the bottom of the screen, click the Before & After icon
. - Press Tab.
- Press L twice.
- At the bottom of the screen, click the Before & After icon
It looks good, but the effect is a little much. Press L again.
Press Tab.
At the bottom of the screen, click the Loupe View icon
, or press D.
Deleting a Graduated Filter
Click the Graduated Filter tool
.Click on the circle
that appears in the middle of the photo.Notice that a black dot
appears inside to show it’s selected.Hit Delete on your keyboard.
Adjusting a Graduated Filter
Let’s apply the graduated filter to the image again, but this time we’ll adjust the filter to get a more subtle effect.
Hold Shift, then click and drag from the topmost center point of the photo to about two thirds of the way down the photo (a little before the ground).
Drag the bottom of the filter slightly to adjust the feathering.
Notice that the center of the effect moved. We want the center to stay in the same place.
Press Cmd–Z (Mac) or Ctrl–Z (Windows) to undo what you just did.
-
Hold Opt (Mac) or Alt (Windows) and drag the bottom part of the filter up as shown below:
The center of the filter stays put, allowing us to adjust the feathering.
Drag the bottom of the filter down again to bring the effect of the filter closer to the horizon. This will move the center point lower and increase the scope of the filter.
Hold Opt (Mac) or Alt (Windows) and drag the bottom part of the filter up again to adjust the feathering.
-
Repeat the steps above until you think the center of the graduated filter and the feathering looks good. If you need some guidance, look at the screenshot below:
Click the Graduated Filter tool
again to deselect it.-
At the bottom of the screen, click the Before & After icon
.Quite the contrast indeed!