Filters are used to improve recorded images. These are optical and transparent elements that can change light properties entering your camera. If you use filters, certain properties are affected like color, light intensity, highlight flare, sharpness, and contrast. These properties can also be altered with the use of filters.

The filter is placed on the lens and aside from affecting the light properties it also serves as a lens protector. Salt air can affect the lenses but if you have filters, the lenses stay protected. There are also cameras where you can’t use filters unless you have adapters.

Filters can be used both in film and digital cameras. Some digital cameras blow out highlights, but if you are using a filter, you can easily reduce excess contrast. Digital cameras are not UV sensitive and so UV filters will not be of much use to you; if you want, you can use infrared filters instead.

There are different types of filters and you should learn to use the appropriate filter for a particular purpose.

Ultraviolet filters absorb ultraviolet light. Film cameras are sensitive to UV or invisible light. This type of filter is great for taking outdoor pictures especially in elevated places. Without the UV filter, you will find it hard to view the objects that you want to shoot from a distance. Haze is created with the use of UV filters and so distance details are diminished. The absorption levels of UV filters vary and you need to get the appropriate filter that suits your needs.

A natural density filter is used when light intensity is very high. If you need more exposure or if there is a required lens opening, this type of filter can be very useful. This filter can absorb light and you don’t need to change the lens opening or shift colors.

Visible light can be reduced with the use of infrared filters. These filters are great if you are taking pictures in heated places or in the presence of aerial haze.

To enhance color control, reflection, and contrast, you can use polarizing filters; this type of filter follows different principles. The image can have different effects by simply changing alignment. Stronger colors can be created by perpendicular alignment of the filter and the reflected glare. Contrast and color saturation of outdoor photos can be improved through the use of polarizing filters. You can even darken the sky color with this type of filter.

Professional photographers often use optical filters to create different effects. Lively images can be achieved by using optical filters since it provides various features and effects.

If photography is your hobby, you can also use filters to enhance picture clarity. Again, you must keep in mind that filters are available in different types and you should use them appropriately.

Magazines, brochures, and other reading materials boast of beautiful pictures. You are probably unaware that the photos were created with the use of filters and good editing software.

Some filters can create cross and star effects. Star filters can enhance pictures of theme parks, street lights, and glass surfaces reflecting the sun. These photos are hard to shoot but with the filter, image brightness is enhanced. If you’re shooting an individual wearing jewelry, try to use cross filters. With this type of filter, you can create a dramatic effect. For outdoor shots and portraits, you can use a spectral cross filter.

Close up filters are much better than zoom lenses. If you’re taking close up shots, use this type of filter. You can even find macro close up filters which can capture tiny insects and flowers.

If you want to display your subject repeatedly in one photo, you need to use multi-vision filters. This filter is available in different ranges depending on how many times you want to repeat a subject in one photo.

Now that you know the uses of the different types of filters, you will know when to use them. Get your own filters now.    

Lets talk about filters that blur a photograph.  When you are taking a picture of a waterfall at the bottom where the water rises in a cloud you can add a filter to create the cloud in the picture.  Cameras don’t always see what the eye sees.  In some cases it can have a high resolution to depict the actual water drops rather than the cloud, so adding a filter to your lens can help create the effect your eye sees.

Other filters such as the UV protector guard against the harsh rays.  Along with the UV filter you should have a polarizer.  The polarizer is used in photography when you are taking a shot into direct sunlight or other light.  It will help balance out the photograph so that you don’t get the washed out look.  Other filters can give you the washed out effect if you feel your photography would speak more.  The filters in Photoshop are not as wide as the filters you can actually buy for your camera, but they can have some of the same effects that you are after.

Have you ever wanted to create a star effect when taking pictures of light filtering through the trees?  You can create a star effect with any photograph by using a star effect filter.  This filter allows light to pass through a series of thin lines etched into the filter letting the light streak outward in a star shape.

Some filters actually help you create a depth of field or focal point.  The fog/ mist filter is one of these.  The fog/ mist filter allows for a glow or flare of light in the photograph.  Photography is filled with much skill and equipment.  Having filters to help create the perfect professional photograph will enhance your fun with your hobby.  Lets look at a few more filters.

There are color correcting lenses.  If the sky is too blue for the photograph you can choose a filter that will tamp down the blue to a less bright state.  If you are into underwater photography you might have filters that allow for the underwater colors.  The color spectrum does not have a great range under water.  A lot of things will look red even though they are not.  It is easy to bring about the original color of underwater life when you use special filters for color correction.

The use of filters in photography not only allows you to have special effects in a photograph to create something new and different, but it can help enhance the shot by adding color or dampening the natural effects of light.  Photography has many types of equipment that require skill and knowledge making it a wonderful hobby or profession. If you need a hobby, photography allows you to be creative.

Jerry J. Jansen
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