filter or no filter ?

[Bruford]

When shooting digital is it better to use filters when the photo is taken. Or will using software that will apply filter effects to the photo in say..photoshop work just as well? Will applying these filter effects degrade the quality of photo?

[ohenry]

Depends on the filter you want to use. A polarizer will definately be preferred over anything you can do in Photoshop. A ND filter will allow you to use wider aperture or slower shutter speeds with bright sunlight. It's a tossup between graduated ND filters and doing it in software (depends on how much time you like to spend at your computer as opposed to doing it in the camera). All other filters are probably easier done in software. All filters will degrade an image to SOME degree, but generally the effect you're trying to achieve would outweigh any degradation (assuming you're not using cheap filters and protecting against lens flare by using a hood).

[Bruford]

Thanks for info ohenry. My main concern was that softwre filters removing data to achive the effects. I do use a polarizer alot and a ND "real" filter while shooting. But for warming up or cooling down a image I was thinking of using a program called nik Color Efex Pro 2.0. It is a plug in for photoshop. It has a load of filters and would be MUCH cheaper to get this than a bunch of filters.

[Mike Panic]

this is a never ending debate - search the forums - some will tell you to always keep a UV filter on your lens to protect it - others will swear that even w/ the most spendy b+w filter on there they can see a difference (for the worse)

[ohenry]

Software filters definately remove/alter your pixels (save your originals) but that is expected since you're altering the image. I agree with your choice to use Color Efex (or other plugins) to do those type of adjustments. It's much easier to get the effect you're trying to create. Photo purists may disagree however.

In my mind, you should try to get the very best photo from the camera and not depend on photoshop to "fix" your mistakes. Subtle tonal adjustments only enhance an already good image. Major tonal adjustments tend to degrade an image.

[Bruford]

this is a never ending debate - search the forums - some will tell you to always keep a UV filter on your lens to protect it - others will swear that even w/ the most spendy b+w filter on there they can see a difference (for the worse)

Thanks Mike but this is not a discussion on the use of UV filters at all. That has been flogged enough:rolleyes: . I was more concerned with the difference of using "real" filters as to software filters.