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Question:

I'm an amateur photographer who is new to filters. I just want to ask an amateur question:

If I use graduated/color filters and have a TTL metering, when will I take the reading, before or after I slide the filter into place?

Answer:

There are two ways do to this.

One is to meter with the filter in place and bracket (usually overexpose) this is by far the easiest and probably the best way to get good results, particularly if you are not shooting on a daily basis. It's the least complicated, it's quick but it's not fail proof.

The second way is to spot meter the scene calculating the dark area that you want to expose for and also the highlight area that you want to tone down. Base you exposure time and f-stop on the dark area (after all the filter will be clear in that area and not effect the exposure), use a split grad filter that will bring the highlight area into the same range (shutter speed and f-stop) as the dark area, normally a 2 or a 3 spot grad filter.