HDR: Split density filter or Photoshop?

I routinely shoot multiple exposures and combine photos shot for sky and shot for foreground in Photoshop (stack photos in layers, select sky, feather selection 100-150, invert , choose layer mask and fill with black. I find it works quite well and takes little time. I recently purchased a two stop graduated neutral density filter and have read all the articles about how to use it. It's true, the learning curve is long. After several items I still not getting results that approach what I can get easily in Photoshop. My question, is why should I pursue learning this technigue since it is so difficult and entails carrying around more glass to worry about? It seems like photoshop can do the same thing, and selecting the sky in photoshop is much easier than figuring out where to place the filter. Any thoughts about this? Thanks!!

Anthony - If you run a search on "GND" or "digital GND" you can find several discussions on this already. Here're a couple of them :

One here
And here

And one from another very well respected site :
Luminous Landscape article

Anthony,

Maybe I am just stuck in my old habits, but I recommend using the GND filter. Calll me nuts!
JG

Anthony: As David said, there have been a number of discussions on this and you will get divided opinions. While both sides have merits, I think it comes down to personal style. I had several ND grads when I shot film and rarely got the kind of result I wanted. I always struggled with getting the transition acceptable to me and it didn't matter whether I had hard edge or soft edge. And, in the field, I like simplicity, so I can concentrate on shooting. When I moved to digital, I gave my GNDs to one of my partners, who at the time was still shooting film.

It's really situational with us, Anthony. If the setting lends itself to split NDs, we use them as an alternative to spending even more time on the computer when we get home. On pro shoots, it depends on whether the client is paying us for the extra computer time required, frankly. If not, then we do the best we can with the filters while in the field unless the scene details preclude it entirely. Our long experience with both techniques has proven the value of using them, but also shooting the multiple exposures for later Photoshop work if it proves to be needed. Call it a "bracket", but there's value in doing both whenever possible. The filters can be a real time saver when they work, but it's better for us to also have the backup files if it doesn't work to our satisfaction. The previous threads others have referenced are very good and worth your consideration along with any responses you get here.

I agree totally with Hank. Different situations call for different solutions. All three techniques are easy to learn, and with a little practice you will be able to determine which method will work best for you. Simply put, the more arrows you have in the quiver, the better.

I agree with Hank and Bill. I use both for different situations, It's really up to experimentation to figure out which to use when. It really is a matter of preference really.

OK Zack, I just saw your "Enchanted Sky Fire" image on your website. INCREDIBLE capture. So, if you don't mind me asking, did you use an ND Grad on that shot, or Photoshop?
Thanks,
Paul