Filters Improve Your Digital Photographs

Filters Improve Your Digital Photographs
by Stan Pontiere
 
If you look around at photographers today, you will notice that almost none of them are using filters. There is an exception to this, however, if you are watching a professional photographer at work, there is rarely a time when he is not using a filter on his camera. Filters are one of the easiest ways to improve your digital photographs.

I am not telling you that you should go out and buy $200 in filters that you will probably never use. But, there are three filters that are really a must have in your gadget bag. They are a UV1, UVA, and a polarizing filter. They are both inexpensive and will add an extra dimension to your digital photographs.

The UV1 filter is primarily used to filter out excess ultraviolet light. It is ultraviolet light that is the primary cause of that bluish cast that you get in your scenic photographs. By adding a UV1 filter to your camera when taking scenic photos, you will eliminate or nearly eliminate that bluish haze that ruins so many photographs.

The second filter that you should carry is a UVA filter. This filter is also used to reduce ultraviolet light but it also has a slight warming effect. In both daylight and flash pictures, you may notice that skin tones often have a slightly bluish cast. As a UVA filter has a slight warming effect, it will very effectively give you much more natural skin tones. You may occasionally want to also use this filter in place of a UV1 filter in your scenic photographs.

The polarizing filter is the real star of these three filters. Many photographers call it their "National Geographic" filter. If you have ever worn polarizing sunglasses, you have probably marveled at how rich the colors are when wearing them. Polarizing filters and sunglasses work by eliminating diffuse reflections thereby allowing the full rich natural colors to come through. If you pick up a old copy of National Geographic, you are almost always amazed at the rich blue skies and bright fluffy clouds in their photographs. That rich blue comes from the use of the polarizing filter. By eliminating the diffuse reflections in the sky, the rich natural blue of the sky creates a dramatic photograph. One note of caution, because of the nature of polarized light, your automatic exposure setting might be incorrect. To overcome this, you might have to use manual exposure settings or EV value correction. The nice thing about a digital camera, is that you will be able to review your shot and make the necessary corrections immediately.

Filters are both inexpensive and take up very little room and the resultant improvement in your digital photos make it well worth the investment. You probably won't find filters at the bit-box stores but, any good camera shop will have a wide selection. By the way, while your at the camera shop, pick up a good lens cleaning kit. Handkerchiefs and tissues paper will ultimately ruin your lens. Each time you use them, it produces minor scratches on your lens and degrades the quality of your image.