BetterPhoto Q&A
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Filters

Just a simple question. I am currently using a polarizer filter and a diffusion filter and find them very useful in shooting.

I just want to extend using of filter and to seek your opinion on what other filters (type and brand) I probably should equip. for as starting tool set?

I take both color and B&W films. Thanks.

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May 07, 2001

I don't use filters much - mostly because I use a computer to do post-production work and since I have far more skill in that than use of filters, I prefer to do post-production work.

Here are some that might be interesting anyway:

Graduated blue filters to make the sky bluer

Graduated orange filters to make sunsets more colourful

Star crossed filters to make things like city lights and concerts more "glamourous"

Warming filters in combination with softeners/diffusers for more intimate feeling portraits

Like I said, I'm not an expert of filters, but there are some ideas.

Ken.

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May 08, 2001

If you are using color negative film (prints), skylight and other subtle warming and cooling filters really won't do much. Your print processor can (and will) completely overrun those subtle effects with the color balancing they do. Subtle skylight and color balancing filters are more for transparency (slide) films. Even though transparency is what I use most, I still don't use these types filters.

For B/W, the most commonly used filters (using Kodak's Wratten numbers) are:
Contrast enhancing:
- Yellow #6 or #8
- Deep Yellow #15 or Orange #21
- Red #23A or #25A

Other:
- Yellow-Green #11 or #13
- Green #56 or #58
- Blue #47

I've listed pairs for most of them (e.g., #6 and #8) because they're both commonly used for the same purpose, and the effect is almost the same. The first three gradually increase contrast, especially between blue sky and clouds. The Yellow will also render most skin tones to a natural gray-scale.

Yellow-green is often used to separate subtle differences in foliage and for portraiture against blue sky.

Green is used for color separation of green grass or shrubbery background and other colors that would otherwise render similar gray-scale.

Blue can be used to achieve a very old B/W "orthochromatic" look with modern "panchromatic" films. In general, it has the opposite effect of a red 25A. It will also enhance sky haze, almost eliminating any contrast between blue sky and clouds. I believe there is a Blue #38 which will produce similar effects, but not nearly as severe.

-- John

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May 12, 2001