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Filters are the addition to the ‘eyes of the camera’, your lens. Additive, subtractive and special effect are the three basic categories of filters. So before we move on to some advanced types and uses of filters, get acquainted with the basic types there are.
Filters can be glass or plastic (coloured or plain) and are used for enhancing a photo or adding special effects to the image. At the very least, any filter will act as a cover for your lens.
Plain glass/transparent filters: These are primary filters that only serve as protection for your lens. They are not supposed to affect the image in any way. So it is a good idea to check this out before buying. No matter what the season or conditions you are shooting in, it is always recommended to have one of these on your lens. After all, you can’t be too careful!
Coloured filters and black-and-white photography: Colour filters are best used in black and white photographs to alter or intensify contrasts. The basic filters include Red, Green and Blue along with Yellow. For instance, a yellow filter will make the outlines in an image and its background appear lighter in contrast. So if you are clicking your subject against a dark background then using a yellow filter will make the object seem lighter and brighter in contrast.
Green filters when used in black and white photography blur the details and create a shadow effect in your photographs. Red filters are useful in rendering distance in landscape photography. These intensify colour deviation and lead to harsh contrasts in images. Orange filters have the same effect as that of red filters however the contrast is not as harsh and the colour deviation is not as intense as the red filters. Blue filters on the other hand render a misty effect and obscure the distance unlike the orange and red filters. They intensify haze and reduce contrasts.
The same techniques and thumb rules may not be applicable to these filters when used in colour photography, however, strong filters can be used to intensify prevailing moods of an image. For example, a blue or a green filter used to shoot an image on a rainy day will intensify the mood of an image. However, using filters in colour photography requires one to be dexterous in the techniques of handling.
 Colour correction/conversion or white balance correction filters: Colour correction filters are used to bring about an overall change or alteration in the lighting colour of the image. The light colour is measured on a scale called colour temperature. The image may look like an odd mix of colours and may not appeal to the viewer’s eye unless the composition of the image has a good blend of complimentary colours. Colour correction filters help in harmoniously blending the colours in the image.
Colour correction filters are identified by the numbers delegated to them, which may change from manufacturer to manufacturer. These numbers are also useful in determining the conditions of their use to obtain the desired effect.
A colour subtraction filter does exactly what the name suggests. These filters are useful in absorbing certain colours of light before they pass through the lens. However, there are numerous digital options available nowadays for colour absorption and hence the use of these filters has reduced relatively.
Neutral density filters (ND filters): A neutral density filter in layman’s terms may be called a grey filter. A ND filter ideally reduces the light of all wavelengths and colours equally. They do not bring about any change in the colours seen in the final image as they filter all colours equally which allows the photographer greater flexibility in adjusting the aperture or exposure time.
These filters are utilised in achieving a motion blur effect in images. The ND filter can be used with a variety of shutter speeds to attain various motion-blur-effects. Inexpensive ND filters may not necessarily reduce the light of all wavelengths or colours and this can have a disastrous effect on the images. However, this too can be used as an opportunity to experiment with fine art photography.
Having said that, it is still better to learn the rules first before breaking them. Moreover, ND filters are best for landscape photography. Shooting waterfalls can be a good exercise to understand the effects of ND filters when used with different shutter speeds and aperture exposures.
Soft focus filters: These are ideal for ‘soft focusing’ effects in images. These will normally soften the sharp edges and giving the image a glam look. Soft filters are mainly used in wedding photography and are perfect to create a romantic mood in photographs or for portraits. A regular transparent filter or UV filter can be used as a soft filter by covering it with a simple stocking or spraying them with hair spray! Remember, though, identifying the correct amount of hair spray can only be achieved through trial and error!
Starburst filters: These are simple glass filters engraved with crosshatched lines. These can be used to create a starburst effect around bright light sources like streetlights and car lights.
So with these tips in mind, you can definitely start experimenting with the above-mentioned filters while we fill you in on the more technical aspects of using each type of filter in our upcoming articles. So until then keep shooting!
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