| Many lens filters in today's digital society have | | | | in front of the lens. It eliminates reflections, glass, |
| been made redundant. Most cameras and/or | | | | shiny surfaces and water, and thus enables you |
| post-processing tools now includes features for | | | | to photograph what is behind a window or under |
| correcting white balance, for softening, or for | | | | the water, rather than a surface full of reflections. |
| various special effects. But there are still some | | | | Polarizing filter also contributes to greater contrast |
| features that simply cannot be reproduce without | | | | and more saturate colors, and it can make the |
| the use of filters. Here we give you an overview | | | | sky darker, which is especially useful when |
| of the most essential filters that every | | | | photographing landscapes. Polarizing filters work, |
| photographer should learn to use. | | | | however, only when you photograph your subject |
| Using Lens Filters | | | | from an angle, not straight on. That is, you'll stand |
| A small filter may be deployed outside to the lens | | | | right in front of a window and shooting, the filter |
| and provide reinforcing or fun effects. The filters | | | | may not be able to remove the reflections in the |
| had their hay days when people where still | | | | glass. Therefore, make sure you always shooting |
| photographing with film. Digital imaging had at that | | | | from an angle. |
| time not come that far, and we used different | | | | There are two types of polarizers; linear and |
| filters to get the desired effect instead. | | | | circular. Linear is used with older manual cameras, |
| For that reason, many associate the use of filters | | | | while the circular is used for cameras with auto |
| with a clear image manipulation. However the | | | | focus. |
| most common filters do not provide such drastic | | | | ND (Neutral Density) Filter |
| results. They are used simply to reinforce the | | | | A gray filter, or Neutral Density filter, makes it |
| individual effects, such as light phenomena. | | | | possible to shoot with slower shutter speeds or |
| Here are Some of the Most Common Lens Filters: | | | | large apertures, even in very bright situations. This |
| UV Filter | | | | is because the amount of light emitted through |
| UV filter improves color reproduction and | | | | the lens is reduced. This is useful if you, for |
| eliminates blur caused by ultraviolet radiation. | | | | example, want to photograph a waterfall in |
| Ultraviolet light is invisible to the eye and highly | | | | daylight, but still want the smooth effect of water |
| prevalent when shooting in hazy weather, | | | | in motion. They are available in different strengths, |
| mountainous regions, coastal areas and areas with | | | | depending on how much light you want to block |
| very clear air. UV filters are colorless and does | | | | out. |
| not require any extension of exposure time. It is | | | | Another option is a graduated ND filter. This filter |
| recommended that UV filters are permanently | | | | goes from dark to clear, with either smooth or |
| mounted on the lens as a protective filter | | | | sharp transitions. This filter is used, for example, |
| When you attach this filter on top of the lens | | | | when the foreground and background have |
| glass, it is the actual filter that is exposed to any | | | | different exposure. An example is when you |
| dust and scratches. It is much cheaper to replace | | | | photograph something dark under a bright sky. |
| a filter if you scratch or damage it, than to | | | | With a graduated ND filter, you will be able to |
| replace the entire lens. | | | | correctly expose the dark portion of the image |
| When using a UV-filter, it is important to | | | | without the bright portion being overexposed. |
| remember that the glass of the filter should have | | | | They are also used to reduce the contrast of the |
| at least as good quality as the glass of the lens. | | | | image. At sunrise, you may need to dim the |
| Otherwise, the picture quality will be deteriorated. | | | | sunlight a bit to reveal details in other areas of the |
| Polarizing Filter | | | | image. There are also graded alternatives with |
| A polarizing filter is probably the most known and | | | | colors, which can be used for special effects. |
| used by all filters, and not without reason. This | | | | Orange or brownish versions can provide |
| filter works much like putting a pair of sunglasses | | | | atmospheric skies in the pictures. |