Another great feature from Camera Raw that allows localised edits is the Graduated Filter. With it you can lay down one or more creative adjustments in a gradient pattern so large areas of the photo can be improved while allowing the effects to blend in with the surrounding regions of the image without the use of masks or the brush.

Because it is applied in a linear fashion as a gradient, the filter is better suited for those topside shots captured during your off gassing adventures or over-under compositions. With it, you can control lighting, improve saturation, colour and contrast and it’s great for balancing out exposure, making it the perfect tool for improving topside shots like the one below, from Indonesia. Here’s how it works.

The Screenshots

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