One of the greatest assets in a photographer's bag is the filter system. When it comes to filter systems, the modular systems are the best choice hands down. In this age of Photoshop, some of the filters we'll be discussing will be easily achieved by Photoshop. There are many effects that are difficult, and even impossible, to post-process in. The following is a discussion on many of these effects.
Polarizer
This filter is a most valuable tool. Under the right conditions, it can give you that vivid sky and see-through water surfaces. Linear filters are not recommended for auto-focus as they can confuse the focus system. Circular polarizers are always a best choice.
Light reflected from metallic surfaces is not affected by polarizers; however, reflected light from most other sources is greatly reduced (absorbed). The absorption of this light is what creates the see-through effect on glass and water and the darkening effect of the sky.
Gradients
Gradient filters are some of the most common filters used in creative photography. The filters come in various colors and can be used ‘stacked.’ These filters can be placed with the color up in the holder or the color down.
To create a vivid sky with a warm ground, you might choose a medium to dark blue with the color up in the holder and a tobacco or other brown with the color down in the holder.
Diffractors
Diffractors are used to break light down into spectral explosions. This is next to impossible to duplicate in Photoshop.
By day, diffractor filters are sun filters. The sun shining through leaves or reflected from bright objects and glass are the perfect scenarios. For day-time photography, avoid well-lit backgrounds that will diffuse the light spectrum and make it less perceptible.
By night, diffractor filters give great results when light sources (often car headlights) are the focal point of your photo. Try neon tubes to spread the rays horizontally. The results may be quite surprising.
A favorite use for these filters is for making a very memorable birthday cake shot. With the candles lit, party is spelled out with every candle.
Star Effect Filters
Also known as cross screens (because you can get the same effect by using fine screening material), these filters are ideal for shooting old cars and motorcycles with lots of chrome and for those beautiful light reflections from the surface of a lake. They come in various point values such as 2, 4, 8, and 12. The number tells you how many points your stars will have.
Center Spot
Center Spot filters are used to create an effect radiating out from the center. There are many options to choose from.
Diffusers
Diffusers are used to control softening of an image, blurring of an image, and diminishing the effects of other filters. They work very well on portraits for a dreamy effect. These effects are easily created in Photoshop.
Special Effects
Though many of the previously discussed filters would be considered special effects, this section is reserved for those filters that add additional elements to your shots. They can be colored vaselines to add diffused color, pre-cut frames to frame your subject, and different types of zoom effects. Taking plastic wrap and using colored felt-tip pens can give you your own special approach.
Optical Effects
Optical effects are obtained by distorting glass (or plastic) to create multiple and/or repeated elements in your shots.
There are seemingly endless possibilities at the photographer’s disposal with the use of filters. For a specific breakdown of one particular technique, see Cross Polarization in Photography for a great way to achieve wild color effects on cheap plastic trinkets.
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