32 http://www.digitalcameraworld.com
FILTER PHOTOGRAPHY
WHEN it comes to filters,
there aren’t a huge number
available, but what can
make selecting the ones you
actually need a little more
difficult, is that there are
variations of some types.
These are designed for
different shooting conditions
and types of landscapes, but
it is possible to assemble a
straightforward set that covers
quite a few bases without
breaking the bank.
There are two main styles
of filters you can buy: screw-in
and drop-in. Screw-in filters
screw onto the thread on the
front of lenses, and must be
the correct size for that
particular lens. The great thing
about this type is that they
take up minimal space and
weigh very little.
Drop-in filters are glass or
resin sheets that drop into a
holder attached to the front
of a lens. They’re bigger and
heavier, but the only usable
option if you want to shoot
with ND graduated filters.
There are pros and cons to
each type, so let’s take a look
at some of the options...FILTER BASICS
Choose the right filters to complement
your preferred way of shooting
2 POLARIZING FILTER
The Swiss army knife of filters, the
circular polarizer is humble yet
essential filter that can reduce or
increase reflections, remove glare,
increase saturation, deepen blue skies and boost white clouds in
sunny scenic shots. It can even be used as a low-strength ND filter
for a slightly longer exposure.
1 SKYLIGHT / UV FILTER
A UV filter does exactly what it says on
the tin: it cuts out UV light. While these
filters have absolutely no visible effect on
images, many photographers screw UV
filters onto the front of their lenses to help
protect the delicate front element from
dirt and scratches.THE SCREW-IN SYSTEM
Things to consider when using screw-in filters
Screw-in filters are smaller, lighter and less expensive than
drop-in filters, but these filters have to be the right size for
each lens. Screw-in ND grads aren’t great because they
rotate, but cannot be adjusted vertically.
PROS Screw-in filters are small and light, making them easy
to carry. Their size makes them less likely to get dirty.
CONS Screw-in filters aren’t as popular as glass drop-in
filters – the latter deliver better image quality.Take c are w h en
stacking filters
When you use a screw-in
filter, it’s best to remove
your UV filter if the lens
has one. If you stack a
polarizer with an ND filter,
for instance, make sure
the polarizer is stacked
onto the ND because
polarizers rotate.3 ND FILTER
Neutral-density filters are what you
need to reduce the amount of light
entering the lens. With little or no effect
on colour, these filters are commonly
available in fixed one-, two-, three- and
four-stop light-reducing densities. These allow
you to shoot at wider apertures or slower shutter speeds.