Rob Cole wrote:
In my opinion, unless you *want* an evenly feathered elipse-shaped mask, you can get superior results using the brush (depending on brushing skill).
I agree for image areas that follow a complex contour the adjustment brush is a better tool. For this specific image one (1) Radial Filter works better than the Adjustment Brush. I did try both the Adjustment brush and Graduated filter and I have plenty of experience using both tools.
I'm sure if you played around with the brush settings long enough, stroked it enough, and endeavored long enough you could come close to the same effect as the Radial filter. I say "close" because the Radial brush "feathering works differently than the adjustment brush. The Radial filter feathering "zone" is less pronounced and allows feathering over a much larger area achievable with the adjustment brush.
Try making the Radial filter much larger to extend feathering and rotate it to fit the contour as in my posted screen shot. I used Invert Mask, Feather = 100, Exposure = -1.36, and Contrast = 24. Feel free to use whatever Radial Filter settings you like.
Like I said, there is no one "correct" way to adjust this image or any other image file. Choose your own tools and use whatever works for you. The Radial Filter is new to LR5 beta and there's no guarantee it will work the same in the LR5 final release....but I sure hope so!