What effect does a graduated filter produce in video production?

A graduated filter is a valuable tool in video production that is primarily used to create a gradient change in exposure across the frame. This filter is typically darker on one side and gradually transitions to clear or lighter on the other side. The effect is particularly useful for balancing the exposure between different elements in a scene, such as a bright sky and a darker foreground, allowing for both areas to be captured appropriately without overexposing or underexposing either part.

In scenarios with high contrast, such as landscapes, a graduated filter helps to ensure that details in the sky are preserved while maintaining the overall exposure balance of the image. This technique enhances the visual quality of the video by providing a more aesthetically pleasing result and retaining details that might otherwise be lost.

The other options focus on different aspects of video production. Controlling color saturation pertains to adjusting the intensity of colors within an image but does not specifically relate to the exposure gradient provided by a graduated filter. Adjusting the intensity of light refers to overall lighting conditions in a scene rather than the specialized application of a graduated filter. Modifying the temperature of light deals with color temperature adjustments to achieve the desired warmth or coolness in a scene, which is a separate function from what a graduated filter accomplishes.