Lightroom’s Graduated Filter Tool
The Graduated Filter tool (GFT) applies adjustments in a linear gradient fashion. The gradient goes from a maximum to minimum and then no effect. Because it is linear, it extends from one side of the image to the other; this can be from top to bottom, bottom to top, and one side to the other or at any angle you wish. It can even be applied somewhere in the center of the image to affect just a mid zone.
Like global adjustments it can apply color temperature, tint, exposure, contrast, whites, blacks, highlights, shadows, texture, clarity, dehaze, saturation, vibrance, sharpness, noise, moiré, defringe, color and hue.
The GFT is often used to darken or lighten skies and foregrounds that are difficult to expose without one or the other in need of adjustment. It is an important tool for evening out a scene’s overall lighting.
As with the Adjustment Brush, I use these local adjustment tools after making image-wide changes in the Lightroom basic control panel.
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Using the Graduated Filter Tool
To activate – click its icon in the panel tool bar or hit the M key. When your cursor is placed over the image it turns to a cross shape indicating the tool is active. The effect will begin where ever you left click, hold and drag on the image.
Starting the application – there are two ways to start applying the tool both with the aim of seeing what you are doing on the image. One is to dial in a fairly strong set of adjustments so you clearly see the effect, then back off to where you want the final effect. Another approach is to use the “show/hide visibility” check box that applies a light magenta-red tone to the areas affected by the filter. Once you place the filter where you want, turn this coloring off and make your adjustments.
Applying – Place the GFT cursor where you want to start the effect and with the left side of the mouse held down, drag in the direction you want the gradient applied. For the linear effect to remain straight, hold the Shift key as you drag.
The GFT Center Pin – the effect is marked with 3 lines, one each at the top, middle, and bottom. The center line of the gradient is marked with a round pin. As long as it has a black center, it can be moved up/down etc. When the center pin is white, it is inactive and adjustments cannot be made. To activate, left click it.
Add another GFT Effect – click “New “at the top of the tool panel.
Edit an Existing GFT effect – click “Edit” at top of tool panel.
Multiple GFT Applications – if you have applied multiple GFT effects the inactive ones will have white pins. When you click them they become active and all the adjustments you have made for this specific effect will show in the adjustment control panel.
Delete an Effect – click the center pin and hit the Delete key.
Reset the Effects – to return all the adjustment sliders to zero, click “Reset” button at the panel bottom.
Move the Effect – to move the entire effect, drag it by grabbing the center pin; a hand symbol will appear over the pin and you can then drag with the left mouse button held down.
Change the Spacing Between the Graduation Lines – left click and drag on them individually. For example, if you drag the lower line down it not only expands the effect but also increases the area between the center line and the bottom line. You can now reposition the effect upwards by grabbing the center pin and moving the whole effect up.
Rotate the Lines – place the cursor over the middle line with the pin and a curved, double-pointed arrow appears. Drag the outboard end of the line and the whole effect rotates. The further away from the center pin, the more control you have over the rotation.
Judge the Effect – to view the impact click the small light switch in the bottom left of the control panel.
Change How Pins and Lines Display – there are 4 choices: Auto Show, Always Show, Show Selected and Never Show. To access choices: go to the LR main menu and click the following: tools > tool overlay > then select one of the 4 choices listed.
Auto Show displays pins & lines only when the cursor is over the image.
Always Show keeps the parameters displayed no matter where the cursor is located on the screen even if it is not on the image.
To Hide/ Show Pin – press the H key to hide and release it to show pin
Expand/Contract Effect – expand or contract proportionally relative to the center pin. With cursor positioned where you want to start, hold down the Alt (PC) or Option (Mac) key and drag. The effect will move out from both sides of the center pin.