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Post-Processing & Retouching

Gradient Mask

A mask that fades an adjustment smoothly along a linear direction, digitally imitating a graduated filter.

In depth

A gradient mask darkens a sky exactly as a glass grad would, but with the advantage that it can be repositioned and its transition adjusted after the fact. Its limitation is the same one the glass filter has: anything protruding above the horizon, such as a tree or a spire, is darkened along with the sky unless the mask is refined.

Examples in practice

A linear gradient darkening the top third of a landscape by one stop balances the sky against the foreground.