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Filter Help
Welcome to our new Filter Help area. This is where you will find all the answers to the more commonly asked filter questions. Please keep in mind while reading this page, that if you have a filter related question, please ask us and we will do our best to answer it, and place it up on this page for the benefit of others.
Below are a list of common questions and problems that are associated with photography, and how filters can rectify them.
Questions
Answers
Q: "How can I protect my lens?"
Skylight & UV Filters. These
filters will help protect your camera lens from dust and from impact.
The Skylight Filter will also enhance skin tones, so this is good
for Colour Photography. If you mostly work in B&W a UV Filter is
recommended. If you often take pictures against the light, Super
HMC or PRO 1 is best for you!
Q: "What sort of filter should
I use for B&W photography?
Black & White Photography.
A Yellow Green Filter is a good filter to start out with as it improves
both Portraits and Landscapes. For dramatic impact as well as for
use with Infrared Film, a Red Filter is great. There are a number
of different filters available. See !!!
Q: "How can I put more snap
and more colour into my pictures?"
Use a Circular
Polarizing Filter. These Filters work "Magic" on most outdoor
pictures. Enhancing both Colour and B&W pictures with improved Colour
and better Clarity. Can also reduce reflections in non metallic
surfaces.
Q: "My indoor colour pictures
look green when taken in fluorescent light, is there a cure?"
A Conversion Filter will do the trick. A FLW Filter for normal fluor lighting or FLD
for Daylight Tubes will give you nice normal colours. These Filters
make Quality Colour Pictures possible under adverse lighting conditions.
Q: "My film is too fast out
in the sun, how can I slow it down!"
A Neutral Density
Filter allows you to use that Very Fast Film from your concert
out in the sun. You can also benefit from using these ND Filters
when Photographing Water, as a Slower Shutter Speed will Smooth
the Water Surface. ND2, ND4 and ND8 Filters are available = -1,
2, or 3 stops! Use individually or stack them!
Q: "My Portraits look Pale
and Contrasty and my family try and avoid me when I carry a camera!
Is there a cure for this?"
Portrait and Softening Filters are great, as most faces look better when these filters are used. Portrait Filters enhance complexion. Softening
Filters can make Mature Faces look better. Hoya Softener 1 or
2 are particularly good for this.
Q: "I can't got close enough
for photographing flowers and coins!!"
One or more Close-up Filters can be used for getting in closer! When photographing small objects
a Close-Up Filter Set can make all the difference. These sets allow
for +1,+2,3,4,5,6 and +7 Diopter, so you can use these for many
different purposes.
Q: "I am bored with my pictures!
How can I put excitement back in my photography?"
Special Effects
Filters are the answer, there is a whole "Pandora's Box" full
of creative potential in these filters. I recommend that you take
a particularly good look at Cokin Filters as these may be moved up or down to suit your requirements on the
day
Q: "I would like to try of
Infrared Film. Do I need a filter for using this?"
You may use a normal 25A for Infrared Photography or either of the
two Infrared Filters.
Be mindful that you cannot see through the Infrared Filters, so
you need a tripod for lining up your picture. Very Spectacular results
may be had!
Q: "I want to add colour
to my bland photographs"
A Circular Polariser can improve clarity, sharpness and enhance colours! A lens
cleaning kit, if used regularly, will also help! For pictures
taken into the light you should use a multicoated
protection filter. Agfa Ultra Film is also very good for adding
oomph to outdoor pictures.
Q: "My close up shots are
not sharp."
A set of Close-Up Filters will allow for closer focus and for greater sharpness. Also make
sure your lens and/or filter is clean. Use a tripod to eliminate
camera shake.
Q: "The grass isn't green
enough!"
Use a Cokin Gradual Green Filter. These come in various strengths
to suit your needs on the day.
Q: "The water isn't blue
enough!"
A Cokin Gradual Blue Filter for adding colour to water.
Q: "The sky doesn't look
as polluted as i need it for my assignment."
Use Tobacco or Grey Cokin Filter.
Q: "My model has a very pale
complexion, how can I improve on this?"
Use a Hoya Portrait
Filter to improve faces in portraits. The same filter will enhance
reds in a landscape.
Q: "My model does not look
soft and romantic enough, how can I improve on this and sell some
more pictures?"
Use a Hoya Softener
A or for more impact a Softener
B Filter. These filters are very easy to use and work extremely
well! Diffusers will also help as will Duto Filters. Cokin has a
extensive range of filters for this purpose. The pastel filters
work particularly well.
Q: "My landscapes usually
look too harsh."
Use a Lower Contrast Film such as Agfa Portrait and team this up
with a Hoya or Cokin Filter. Use Diffusers as a starting point,
but do experiment with other filters too. Softeners, etc.
Q: "I can't find the answer
to my question anywhere on this page... or on the rest of the site"
If you have a question that isn't on this page, and is in relation
to the use or purchase of filter located at Filtershop.com.au, please
feel free to contact us. Also,
with your permission, we may post your question and answer on this
Filter Help section, for others to view.
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