Page 123 - (DK) Advanced Photography Guide

FILT ER S 121

Types of filters FILTER THREADS
Filters can be categorized in three broad groups—exposure control,
effects, and color—each of which has a specific purpose and Filter thread sizes vary widely, from
30.5mm to 127mm. The size of a
visual effect. Which group, or specific filter within that group, is best lens’s filter thread is shown on the
for you will depend entirely on the type of photography you intend barrel of the lens or inside the lens
to undertake—exposure-control filters tend not to be necessary cap. Lenses with a large maximum
for studio photography, for example. However, an effects filter such aperture usually need larger filters
as a polarizing filter, which can reduce or entirely remove reflections, than lenses that have a smaller
maximum aperture.
could prove indispensable.

USING FILTERS

You can mix and match filters to achieve different effects, but Stacking filters can also create vignetting problems, with the
be aware that each one will degrade the image quality slightly. edge of the leading filter visible in the corners of a photo,
If you stack too many filters, the quality will drop unacceptably. especially if you are using wide-angle lenses.

ND FILTERS EFFECT FILTERS COLOR FILTERS

ND (neutral-density) filters are Rather than just coloring or reducing Color filters are used in black-and-
semiopaque and available in strengths the light that passes through them, white photography to adjust tonal
of 1 to 15 stops. They are usually used effect filters distort it. Examples include range, but postproduction and
to increase the length of the shutter the polarizing filter (above), soft-focus in-camera options offer greater scope
speed. The related ND graduated filter filters for portraits, and filters that were for adjustment. They are still useful if
helps to balance the exposure of a once fashionable but are now largely you shoot film, and you can also use
bright sky with a darker foreground. overlooked, such as the starburst filter. them to alter the color of flash light.

▲ 10-STOP ND FILTER ▲ POLARIZING FILTER ▲ RED FILTER

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