Photography Filters - The Secret to Awesome Pictures

Have you ever wondered if you need to use photography filters with a digital camera? When digital cameras took over film cameras, the post production changed as well. The darkroom seems to have been replaced with a computer and graphics program, such as Adobe Photoshop. Although manipulation can be done after the image is taken, whether in the darkroom or computer, there is no real substitute for the original image being as close to the quality output desired in the first place.

The primary purpose of a photography filter is to enhance or change the picture. There are several different categories of filters as well as many different manufacturers. Another purpose for photography filters is to protect the camera lens. Filters are inexpensive when compared to the cost of replacing a camera lens. Often photographers use an all-purpose filter for this purpose, and exchange it for a more specialized filter when the subject calls for something a little different. Below is a list of some of the more common categories and filters available to today’s photography enthusiast.

Essential Filters:

The purpose of a clear filter is to protect the lens. It does not affect the exposure of the image. UV (Ultra Violet) filters help with removing some haze caused by ultra violet light. There are different types of polarizing filters. This filter is especially important because the software available today just does not come up to par with duplicating the results of using a polarizing filter at the time of exposure. When choosing a polarizing filter, decide if you need a linear or a circular polarizer. Basically, if you are using an auto-focus single-lens-reflex camera, you would need the circular polarizer. This is because of the beam splitting metering system that the digital camera uses.

Color Correction Filters:

While the polarizing filters mentioned in the previous paragraph are necessary even in the digital age, the color correction filters, however, are not as crucial to the success of the image outcome. This is because color correction filters manipulate the color, and the post production graphic manipulation programs (Such as Adobe Photoshop) can compensate pretty well for this. The basic need for these color correcting filters was to compensate for the difference in the temperature of the ambient light with the type of film being exposed. These filters are named with a number and a letter, such as 80A or 85B.

Special Effect Filters:

Special effect filters create fun and sometimes unusual effects. Examples of special effect filters are fog, sepia, and star filters. As their name suggests, they produce the named effect within the image. Perhaps the best special effect filter is actually not even referred to as a filter, but as a lens, and is called a “close-up lens.” They usually come in a set, and can be used in combination to achieve the desired close-up distance. They are much less expensive than purchasing a dedicated macro lens, and produce clear, brilliant images.

Black and White Filters:

Black and White filters rely on the principles of color separation to manipulate images for a desired effect. The choice of black and white filters is broken down by a color name along with a number. Theses filters work by absorbing their complementary color of light. For example, a yellow filter will absorb blue, and make the sky darker, which in turn can enhance the appearance of clouds in the sky against it. A yellow-green filter can minimize the effects of red that tungsten lighting can produce.

Transitioning from film to digital photography allowed me to blend the best of both processes. If you would like to learn from my experience visit a great casual site for sharing photographic tips, tricks, and shortcuts, as well as discussions about the latest photography equipment.