Using Lens Filters with your DSLR

“There are dozens of lens filters to choose from and it can be quite mind boggling deciding on which ones to use (the more you learn about photography the more lens filters you will want to own)”

With most DSLR’s you can create cool and warm effects by using the controls in your camera’s menu, but as I mentioned in “choosing Lens Filters”, if you want to be really creative then you definitely should buy a few lens filters. In adverse lighting conditions lens filters can often add a bit more of that WOW factor to your shot.

I have dozens of lens filters but to get started I would suggest that you begin using some of the following:

General Lens Filters

• Hoya make a Protector filter that will not affect the colour or sharpness of your pictures at all. These lens filters are totally clear and are used to protect your camera lens from any scratches or knocks

• A UV filter will filter out the ultraviolet rays that can make pictures appear hazy

• A Skylight 1B will improve clarity and colour. Both the UV and Skylight 1B lens filters will protect your lenses from any damage and either can be left on permanently
   

 Polarizing lens filters can be used as follows:

• When it is a bright sunny day
   
• To enhance a blue sky (the filter eliminates the reflected light from tiny water droplets in the atmosphere increasing colour saturation and slightly darkening the sky)

Without Polarizer

With Polarizer

• When shooting through windows i.e. taking a picture of a shop window or through a car windscreen or even through a window in your house. These lens filters cut down the reflection off window’s or glass (this is only relevant when you and the lens are at an angle of around 35 to 45 degrees to the reflective surface – they have no effect if you shoot straight on)
   
• When taking pictures of lakes, rivers or the sea - removes the reflected surface of the sky
   
• When taking a picture of a waterfall – this will slow down the shutter speed giving the waterfall a milky look – will also give the picture more colour richness

• When taking a close up picture of a stream or river – polarizing lens filters make it possible for the camera to look through the reflection enabling you to take a picture of what is under the surface of the water – rocks, stones or maybe some fish if you are lucky? (Remember - this is only relevant when you and the lens are at an angle of around 35 to 45 degrees to the reflective surface – has no effect if you shoot straight on)

 

Without Polarizer

With Polarizer

Circular polarizing lens filters (unlike linear) allow your auto focus to function and are made of two parts. The front rotates independently of its back and changes the overall effect – you can then see the effect through the camera's viewfinder.

Most photographers use the “rule of thumb” when using polarizing lens filters. Point your index finger at the sun and stick your thumb straight up – making an “L” shape” - rotate your wrist and wherever your thumb points to is where the polarizer will have the most effect.


Tip: Using polarizing lens filters with wide-angle lenses can cause vignetting (or cut-off) in the corner of the frame, however, you can overcome this by buying a “thin” polorizer but these tend to be quite expensive.

Graduated Lens Filters

Graduated lens filters come in various colours ranging from orange to grey (grey graduated filters are often referred to as “ND” or “Neutral Density” filters). Using graduated lens filters is great for landscape shots, especially when the foreground is much darker than the background.

• Graduated Emerald - use when there is heavily contrasted clouds or a heavy storm – can be used upside down to make the grass a natural green colour

• Graduated Pink will warm up the colour of the sky and clouds with pink shades

• Sunset recreates the light of a sunset – the upper part is more tinted to enhance the sky (you can get these lens filters in 2 densities - density 2 gives a stronger effect)

• Graduated FLD – these lens filters help to remove the green tone when shooting indoors under fluorescent lighting or mixed lighting

• Graduated fog can add a bit of mystery to your picture!

• Graduated Grey (or ND) will add a moody atmosphere to the sky but shouldn’t affect the rest of your picture too much – can also improve a sunset shot. ND lens filters come in different strengths i.e. ND2 reduces amount of light to 50%, ND4 reduces amount of light to 25% and ND8 reduces amount of light to 12.5% (ND2 and ND4 can be used together)

Both of these pictures were taken at the same time on the same day. The one on the left is without a filter and the one on the right is taken with a Gradual (grey) G1 Cokin filter

Both of these pictures were taken at the same time on the same day. The one on the left is taken with a Gradual (pink) P1 Cokin filter and the one on the right is taken with a warm up (81B) filter

Tip: It is okay to use auto-exposure with a grad fitted, but this can sometimes produce images where the foreground is too light. To resolve this problem switch the camera to manual mode, remove the filter, take an exposure reading from the foreground and set the camera, put the filter back on, re-frame, focus and shoot.

Single Coloured Lens Filters 

Single coloured contrast lens filters are generally used when setting your DSLR to the “black and white” (sometimes called monochrome) mode giving your pictures a much more dramatic look. Single coloured lens filters can also be used when setting your DSLR to the normal colour mode and can produce some dramatic effects!

• The following lens filters will have these effects when shooting in black and white:
   
• Yellow - improves contrast between clouds and sky. If taking portrait pictures will lighten subjects face and also lighten blonde hair
   
• Orange - increases contrast between yellows and reds - will make skies appear darker and clouds more noticeable
   
• Red – makes pictures very dramatic – a blue sky will appear almost black and clouds brighter
   
• Green – will lighten green forests and fields - also improve depth of field and produce some unique grey tones
   
• Yellow/Green – use for indoor portraits under tungsten light – will improve skin tones. Can also be used for landscape pictures to increase contrasts between sky and clouds

Tip: When shooting towards the light using lens filters can sometimes increase the risk of flare but a lens hood can help to stop this. Most lens filters manufacturers produce lens hoods (Cokin’s Modular Bellows lens shade and their adaptor ring can fit almost any camera).

Colour Correction Lens Filters

There are two types of colour correction lens filters to use:

• Blue 80 or 82 - will cool down your landscape picture
   
• Brown 81 or orange 85 will warm up your landscape picture and will ad an overall touch of colour

On the whole, if you are not sure when to use your lens filters, take one shot with and one without and see which one you prefer – just have fun trying out all the different lens filters – this way you will soon learn what effects each will have on your image.

Tip: Adding a filter to your camera can often result in a slower shutter speed – so you are more likely to need a tripod.