essential skills: photographic lighting
Filters for lenses Filters can be divided into five main categories: ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Neutral filters Black and white Color conversion Color balancing Effects.
Neutral filters A range of filters are manufactured that have little or no color. These include: ~ ~ ~
UV (haze) and ‘skylight’ filters (clear) Neutral density filters (gray) Polarizing filters (gray).
UV and skylight filters
Mark Galer
Ultraviolet (UV) radiation present in the spectrum of light is invisible to human vision but adds to the overall exposure of the image. It is most noticeable with landscape images taken at high altitude and seascapes. To ensure the problem is eliminated, UV filters can be attached to all lenses used on location. If the optical quality of the filter is good the filters may be left permanently attached to the lenses. The added benefit of this practice is the front lens element of each lens will be protected from scratching. A skylight filter also eliminates UV light and has a color compensating effect. Shadows filled by skylight have a blue cast and the slightly pink filter helps to create shadows with a neutral color cast. Skylight filters are identified as a 1A and a stronger 1B.
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