|
Filters are very useful tools in a photographer's kit bag. They are usually placed over the front of the lens to change some aspect of the image being taken. Filters can affect colour, exposure and saturation, form frames and create special effects. The number of filters available is staggering and some people even make their own.
The important thing to remember here is that the use of filters should always enhance the image and not be obviously overpowering. This is especially true for landscapes and portraits. Most filters are available in various strengths and my advice is to use the more subtle ones. Those most commonly used for portraits are warm-up (81A) and diffuser filters. The warm-up gives a nice skin tone to our Celtic paleness and the diffuser can give a romantic feel and hide or minimise skin blemishes. (See previous tip - Portraits).
For landscapes, graduated filters are very useful. These have a strong band of colour at the top which gradually fades to a clear bottom half. They are usually used to affect the sky area of the image. Blue, tobacco and grey graduates are the most commonly used. Blue will deepen a blue sky, tobacco will enrich a sunset and the grey (also called ND - neutral density) will tone down a sky or other area which is too bright without affecting its colour. Another superb filter to have in your bag is a polariser. There are two types - linear and circular - and you should have the right type for your camera. The rule of thumb is that manual focus cameras use linear and auto-focus cameras use circular. (This refers to the type of polarising material used to make the filter and does not refer to the shape or appearance of it. Check your camera handbook if in doubt.) This filter saturates colour and reduces glare at the same time. It is most effective in good light and when the sun is at right-angles to the camera. It is one of the more expensive ones but well worth the money. Special effects filters are not meant to be discreet. Multiple images, starbursts, streak and zoom effects are best used sparingly and only suit certain types of images. Experiment to find the ones you like. Some filters are very useful for black-and white photography. Yellow, orange and red are often used to enhance the "fluffy cloud" effect to varying degrees. Green is used to enhance the tones of foliage.
Below are some images in which filters have been used. It is up to you whether you think the effects are over-done or not! Author: Peter Barriscale Discuss this article on the forums. (0 posts) |
