Hi TS, the simplest way without investing in filters is to spot meter your exposure somewhere like two or three fingers away from the sun. Choose a spot that is closer to greyish. Take a shot and look at the histogram. If the chart is still quite far from the right edge of the histogram, use exposure comp to increase exposure till u get a brighter picture but make sure that apart from the sun, nothing else is over-exposed. Bring the picture home and use software GND feature from LR to lower the exposure of the portion above the horizon.
Note that exposure comp only work in non-manual modes. If u are using manual mode, u have to first use A or S to allow the camera to get a light reading for u. Record the reading and adjust accordingly (equivalent to EC).
That way u probably have max-ed out your camera's DR. Consider getting filters only after u have tried the above and the foreground is still heavily under exposed.
To understand the above, u need to comprehend some concepts such as metering modes, exposure locking, exposing to the right etc.
Hope this helps.
You can forget about UV or CPL filters helping in your situation. Even if u were to use GND filters, u need to understand light metering to tell how many stops GND to use.
