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Using Filters
By: Marjan Polek

     Filters are used to enhance black and white images. There are a variety of types and colors that create different effects. In this tips page I'll discuss some of the most popular filters, their effects on black and white film and under what circumstances you would use them.

UV Filter
     
     The UV filter is one of the most common filters you'll find in most camera bags. The filter is primarily used to cut down on glare from bright sun. It's also used as a protection filter for your lens if you're not using  a colored filter.
 
# 9 Yellow
     
     The yellow filter helps to tone down blown out whites on a bright day. It will help to hold detail in the white areas of your image. The yellow filter also absorbs excess blue outdoors, thereby darkening the sky slightly and emphasizing the clouds. The yellow filter is one of my personal favorites and I find that it's my most used filter.

#16 Orange
    
     The orange filter is used for darkening the sky for a more dramatic appearance to the overall image. An orange filter will also increase contrast. Think of the orange filter as a more dramatic version of the yellow filter.
 
# 25 Red

     The red filter can be used to create a very dramatic sky when shooting on a bright blue day. The red filter absorbs the blue and creates an almost black sky. When clouds are present this can be extremely dramatic. It can also create a simulated "moonlight" effect in midday (by slight under-exposure).
      The # 25 red filter is a "must have" when shooting infrared film. As stated earlier it creates extreme contrast in the sky. It also turns foliage white, cuts through fog, haze and mist. Without the # 25 filter infrared film just doesn't have the same "wow" factor. 
     The # 25 red filter is also an excellent copying filter for blueprints.
# 11 Green


     The green filter is an ideal outdoor filter where more pleasing flesh tones are desired in portraits against the sky. This filter also renders beautiful black and white photos of landscapes, flowers, blossoms and natural sky appearance. 
     A darker green # 13 filter is used for deeper flesh tones. It also lightens foliage slightly.

# 47 Dark Blue


     The dark blue filter accentuates haze and fog. This filter can also lighten same color blue.

Polarizing Filter

      The polarizing filter is used to shoot through glass or across water. The polarizing filter cuts down on reflective glare which can wash out the appearance of your image. 

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     Filters are available in different sizes to fit your lens and can be purchased in most camera stores.  

     Do not use more then one filter at a time because the added lens length will cause your image to vignette. 

     One of the leading manufactures of filters is Tiffen. If you would like to learn more about filters Tiffen Manufacturing Corporation has a video available called "Which Filter Should I Use?" 
You can contact them at:
www.tiffen.com
Tiffen Manufacturing Corp.
90 Oser Ave. 
Hauppauge, NY   11788
1-800-645-2522
www.blackandwhitelab.com