| One of the very first things that should be taught | | | | photographers will agree that a polarizing filter is |
| while mastering digital SLR photography is to go | | | | always nice to have. Neutral density, or ND, filters |
| out and buy a lens filter for each of your lenses. | | | | are also a great addition to help you achieve |
| Everyone should have one on their lens, be it a | | | | certain types of shots in very bright light. Still |
| digital or film SLR camera. | | | | another type of lens filter, used lots by landscape |
| The best kind of filter to purchase is a UV or Sky | | | | photographers, is the graduated ND filter. These, |
| filter. Will this make your pictures any better? | | | | in effect, limit the amount of light on half of the |
| Maybe, a little. But more importantly what it does | | | | shot - for example, when shooting land and sky. |
| do though, is protect the investment you've | | | | There are also bunches of specialty filters, such |
| made on your lens. Once you scratch the surface | | | | as close-up or macro filters (these allow you to |
| of your lens - that's it. Time to buy another lens, | | | | zoom in closer for macro photography) and |
| which can get very pricey. And there is nothing | | | | special effect filters. Whereas the macro filters |
| you can do about it. However, if you have a UV | | | | are nice to have, depending upon your camera's |
| filter on your lens, and you scratch the filter, go | | | | image resolution, you may be able to get as close |
| purchase another one - most for around $10 | | | | by cropping with your photo software package. |
| dollars! It'll be the best $10 insurance you've ever | | | | As for all the special effect filters, like adding stars |
| spent on your equipment. | | | | and rainbows, or filtering out certain colors, most |
| Now beyond that, what other types of lens filters | | | | of this can now be done in your image software |
| are nice to have in your accessory arsenal? Most | | | | package. |