13 Staple Photography Filters to Know & Have
The modern digital era has brought with it a lot of valuable and workable elements as far as post-production of images is concerned but seasoned photographers will ultimately point to the fact that filters are still the choice accessories to perfect an image. Filters aid in the management of conditions in which a picture is being taken including the lighting, reflection and color and it is the filters that allow a photographer to capture the best shot. Here are 13 tips to consider when deciding on what photography filters to use to in order to improve the image.
Protective
One of the most important filters for a photographer, a protective filter is designed for use on all photography instances and its main objective is to protect the lens from dirt, dust, moisture and scratches. A protective filter is instrumental when it comes to protecting against fingerprints in cases where an individual inadvertently touches the lens area.
Color
The whole point of a color filter is to ensure that pictures taken are perfect and crisp. This filter plays a role in all types of photography and is responsible for color correcting including the subtracting, blocking and boosting of color orientation. It is most valuable in film photography where it is charged with adding and correcting color.
Ultraviolet
UV filters are a must-have for any photographer who takes their trade seriously. It is usable in all photography orientations but works mainly with SLR cameras. It is a known fact that UV affects photo quality and orientation where the images appear with haze blemish. Although modern DSLR cameras have it inbuilt, having the UV filters offers more functionality.
Cooling and Warming
These filters are suitable for all photography and are mainly utilized in correcting the unrealistic tints of color. The main role of cooling and warming filters is to alter the white balance thereby providing the right setting. These filters are also instrumental when it comes to adding mood most notably changing the atmosphere that an image is supposed to depict.
Polarizing
The major undertaking that a polarizing filter is supposed to capture is the reduction of reflections. Polarizing filters are responsible for increasing contrast and the enhancement of colors. Polarizing filters come in two orientations the first being the linear filters workable with film cameras and the second being the circular filters used with DSLR cameras.
Close-Up
Photographers with a knack for detail will find the close-up filter to be of massive importance as it has a big role to play in macrophotography. This is a filter that shortens the minimum focusing length. This is a process that not only achieves clarity but allows for close-up shots. Close-up filters assist with the alignment of the focal points of the respective lenses to effectively focus on select objects.
Neutral Density
Mainly used by the photographers who are targeting landscape photography, the Neutral Density filters are instrumental when it comes to preventing overexposure. This type of filter is also crucial when it comes to flash photography and reduces the element of overexposure especially in instances where large apertures are required. It is a filter meant to be workable when long exposures are expected.
B&W
The goal of B&W filters is to enhance certain shades. This is a filter that is suitable for all orientations of photography and targets bringing out specific monochrome shades using green, orange, red and yellow filters.
Hard-Edge Graduated Neutral Density
This filter is quite important in landscape photography as it is able to balance exposure in situations where high contrast orientations are evident. A case in point may be balancing the scene that has bright skies and darker landscapes. It is most crucial for flat horizons.
Blender Graduated Neutral Density
As the name suggests, this is a filter that is able to blend the light manifested on the bright area of a setting with the shade of the darker regions of a scene to provide a perfect image. This filter works the magic to ensure it achieves balanced color and brightness.
Soft-Edge Graduated Neutral Density
This is a filter that has a big role to play in landscape photography. It is of core importance when high contrast settings are considered. It offers a balance especially where the landscape is not relatively flat for instance when a photographer is capturing mountain ranges. It avoids the cases of over and under-exposure.
Special effects filters
There are a number of special effects filters including star filters, softening filters, multi-vision filters, infrared filters and Bokeh filters all of which add target the optimization of an image.
Reverse Graduated Neutral Density
This is a very important filter when it comes to professional photography and this is because it plays a role in the transitions from darker centres to the brighter edges. It is mostly utilized when it comes to landscape photography since it optimizes the photography shot that is taken against the sun because it ensures the image is captured without overexposure.
