Filters

[Ryne002]

i'm looking for an ultimate filter thread, i'm wanting to start using filters but i'm not sure what to get or how to use them. So post up pictures with filters on, and tell me what filter you used.

 

[GeorgieGirl]

Circular Polarizer - JPEG right off the card

 

[Big Mike]

Most filters can be easily replicated with software...not only replicated, but applied with infinity more freedom.

There are some that can't be replicated digitally, like a polarizer. And there are some that affect the dynamic range of the scene, like graduated filters.

 

[Joem]

I'll ad to Big Mike, those two and say i successfully use warming filters. Such as 81A , Nikon A2. Especially to fall colors and leaves.

Blue Ridge MT polarizer plus 81A

 

[Ryne002]

i'm well aware that photoshop can replicate filters and i shoot in raw/jpg so that I can edit a picture as I like, but sometimes using like a ND filter or another while taking the picture can produce a totally different outcome. You can do a lot with a photo editing program but I still like the fact of taking a picture with a filter on the camera and having little/less editing to do in the end.

 

[Dao]

This photo was taken with CPL. Without the filter, I would not be able to capture the true color of the water. (it will be the reflection of the sky instead). And this cannot be reproduced in Post Processing.

 

[Shawnda]

There is a list on Wikipedia with what all the different numbered filters do. I do believe it talks about the kelvins as well.

 

[Big Mike]

When using filters, you also have to consider that you are putting something in front of your lens, and as such, you are affecting the quality of your image. More to the point...you are essentially hurting your image quality and just how much, will depend on the quality of the filter.

I'll ad to Big Mike, those two and say i successfully use warming filters. Such as 81A , Nikon A2. Especially to fall colors and leaves.

You could get essentially the same effects as a warming filter, simply by adjusting your WB...without having to put anything in front of your lens.
Also, if you use software to apply that warming, you can choose exactly how much you want, exactly what color you want and what parts of the image you want to apply it to...and anything in between. With the filter, you have two options...on of off.

I'm not totally against using something like that, but when I know I'm going to be post processing the image anyway, I prefer the control of doing it digitally.

 

[Buckster]

When using filters, you also have to consider that you are putting something in front of your lens, and as such, you are affecting the quality of your image. More to the point...you are essentially hurting your image quality and just how much, will depend on the quality of the filter.

I'll ad to Big Mike, those two and say i successfully use warming filters. Such as 81A , Nikon A2. Especially to fall colors and leaves.

You could get essentially the same effects as a warming filter, simply by adjusting your WB...without having to put anything in front of your lens.
Also, if you use software to apply that warming, you can choose exactly how much you want, exactly what color you want and what parts of the image you want to apply it to...and anything in between. With the filter, you have two options...on of off.

I'm not totally against using something like that, but when I know I'm going to be post processing the image anyway, I prefer the control of doing it digitally.

What he said. Back in my film days, I was big on all kinds of filters, and that carried over to my digital days - until I got comfortable with Photoshop. Now I only use polarizers and NDs in front of my glass. All the rest happens in post, for the reasons Mike cited above.

 

[Shiva_42]

Not to mention the fact that; other than circular polarizers and PERHAPS ND filters, you've already paid for the "other" filters if you're using photoshop.

 

[Buckster]

Not to mention the fact that; other than circular polarizers and PERHAPS ND filters, you've already paid for the "other" filters if you're using photoshop.

Why "perhaps"?

 

[Shiva_42]

Hmmm.... well.... in reflection I'm not sure...

I had SOMETHING in mind at the moment I wrote, but can't remember now. Offhand I can't think of anything a ND filter can do for you that the appropriate approach in PS couldn't replicate, other than the time savings if you'd shot the original with an ND filter to begin with.

Either I just misspoke, or this old brain will eventually find it's way back to the point I had in mind and I'll repost with more details. If I was a bettin' man, I'd bet with the "misspoke" explanation though!

 

[Buckster]

Hmmm.... well.... in reflection I'm not sure...

I had SOMETHING in mind at the moment I wrote, but can't remember now. Offhand I can't think of anything a ND filter can do for you that the appropriate approach in PS couldn't replicate, other than the time savings if you'd shot the original with an ND filter to begin with.

Either I just misspoke, or this old brain will eventually find it's way back to the point I had in mind and I'll repost with more details. If I was a bettin' man, I'd bet with the "misspoke" explanation though!

This is done with a ND filter at noon on a sunny day:

How would you replicate what this ND filter does using photoshop please?

 

[Shiva_42]

Touche! I'll rest my case on YOUR final argument! That IS what I had in mind when originally contemplating... I don't know of any *workable* way to replicate the shutter control on a bright day. Thanks!

 

[Dao]

Another example will be shooting with aperture wide open (for the shadow DoF effect) in a sunny day. Even with the fastest shutter speed the camera can handle, the photo still overexposed. At that moment, a ND filter comes in handy.