Filters ???

[mikeymike]

Is it faster and/or easer too use filters or Photoshop too get effects for a photo ???

[robertwgross]

You can't get a proper polarizing effect out of PhotoShop.

---Bob Gross---

[Jim_T]

Plugging a colored filter on a digital camera isn't as easy as it sounds.. You could wind up confusing the white balance and getting unpredictable results that you'll have to fix after the fact anyway.

[tim]

And to sum up, polarising filters need to be on the camera, other types of filters can be applied digitally.

[ohenry]

You can't duplicate a neutral density filter in Photoshop either.

I personally prefer to use graduated neutral density filters on the lens rather than doing it in Photoshop, but others prefer to digitally fix that one.

[mikeymike]

ok so i should chose which ones carefully too use on my 300D.


the polarising filters i guess is one that i should use are there any others out there that i should use.

[robertwgross]

I have Cokin filters, screw-on filters, graduated neutral density filters, and all kinds of stuff that applies more to a film camera. Just about all I use now is a UV filter (for lens protection) and a circular polarizer.

---Bob Gross---

[Barb42]

Nik filters work rather well.

[eosster]

Get largest one from list of your lens and step up ring. Will save you a space and heartache....

[Lesmac]

Go for filters anytime, it takes a couple of minutes to pop a ND grad on, a lot longer to get the exposure balance in PS.

Les

http://lesmclean.photoblink.com/

[cruzyn56]

You can't duplicate a neutral density filter in Photoshop either.

I personally prefer to use graduated neutral density filters on the lens rather than doing it in Photoshop, but others prefer to digitally fix that one.
A question regarding filters in general. I have used polarizers with film but never ventured into ND or other filters. Now with a digital I am interested in getting more contrast in clouds (similar to what you would see with sunglasses on). I tried a .4 ND filter while shooting kids in a pool and couldn't tell any difference between those shots and the ones without the ND filter. It was clear blue skies so I couldn't test it on clouds.

Wouldn't the metering on the camera adjust for the ND filter and expose correctly? Should I meter without the filter then put the filter on the lens?

[ohenry]

All a neutral density filter does is reduce the amount of light coming into the lens. It doesn't alter your clouds or get more contrast; it simply reduces the amount of light. It is useful for shooting at wider apertures or slower shutter speeds than you would be able to accomplish with the greater existing light.

Your in camera meter will meter the amount of light coming through the lens. If you have a filter that reduces the light, the meter will take that into account. If you metered without the filter, then put the filter on the lens, you'd underexpose your shot.

Graduated neutral density filters merely reduce the tonal range to a range that your camera's sensor (or film) can handle. There is maximum latitude that your sensor can handle and if you have a scene that has a tonal range of 9 stops, you're going to either blow some highlights or lose detail in the shadows depending on what you feel is more important and how you meter. A grad ND filter will help here. Other option would be to take two identical shots, exposing one for the shadows and one for the highlights, then blending them together in Photoshop.