
If photography is your passion, you are interested in something that transcends generations over generations. From normally black and white photos from decades ago into the modern and radiant captures today, photography has never been out of the way. Through the continuous advancement of technology, new methods and approaches have been introduced in the field of technology. But if you are really a advent photographer, you certainly love how optical filters change every capture. While there are many changes that occurred in optical filters, you should never forget that some things about it did not change over time. As such, here are some six facts that you must remember about optical filters in the digital age.
Real Polarizing
With the aid of technology, some programs were created to enhance some image editing software like Adobe Photoshop. One of these is the electronic plug-in filter. These programs provide you the opportunity to give the effect of polarization. Basically, these filers actually polarize the light passing through the lens that minimize glare on non-metallic surfaces. It also reveals small details obscured by the glare even the filter in machine vision. As a result, there will be variety of effects on the optical polarizing filter.
Screw on not up
Another fact that you must know about optical filters is that you have to screw them directly. Basically, the diameter of the filter must be equal to the lens’ front element. This is to prevent the corner in getting dark at wide angel zoom settings. So if you are using a 35mm lenses on a compatible digital body, you should screw it directly and not up. But if you are not able to screw it on, you must get a step up ring so you can do it so.
Contrast Control
One of the best things about optical filters is that you can use it in order to reduce the brightness ratio of a scene with excessive contrast. Image editing is not a good option if you would like to recapture lost highlight or shadow. This is because the latitude exposure of the digital cameras nowadays is located between the print film and the slide. So if you want to get a good overall exposure in regards to the contrast ratio of your subject, it is advisable to use a graduated neutral density filter. It will also allow you to exceed the range of the capabilities of your cameras. Hence, you can capture both the shadows present and extreme highlights in the actual scene.
Try It
The nice thing about optical filter on a camera is that it allows you to see the effect of the filter before you actually capture a photo. This has been made possible in different devices or digital cameras. If you are suing a digital SLR, you can find the effect on the viewfinder. If you have a digital compact, you no longer have to use viewfinder as the LCD already shows what the lens sees. Hence, no matter what device of method you are using, there is a way for you to see the effect of the filter first.
FX: Easy
If you are also looking for some cool effects, plug in software is the best tool for you. However, some star patterns and prismatic effects are very easy to do and is old fashioned. This is also applicable to a lot of subtle soft focus effects.
Film filters
Lastly, optical glass filter can be used effectively and provide a range of creative, cool and special effects when using digital camera. Hence, optical filter is ultimately a blessing.
Overall, with all the facts stated in this article, we can infer that despite the continuous advancement of technology, there are some things that still remain constant and classic. Optical filters are certainly one of these things. It may have evolved over time but the core function and usability are still the same. This ahs become one of the important elements that photographers use when capturing moments, things, people and places. As a photographer, it is important that you know these things so you can apply it on the next moment you capture something beautiful.