Filters: I am very new to using filters and there are a couple of things that I do not understand . Watched a video re using filters . One of the filters used was a "warming filter" .

Hammer Loc: London UK

I am very new to using filters and there are a couple of things that I do not understand .

Watched a video re using filters . One of the filters used was a "warming filter" . Would not an adjustment to the colour temperature of the RAW file in post do exactly the same ?

I can see the benefit of a graduated neutral density filter but again , could the same effect be achieved by bracketing exposures and masking them in Photoshop or similar ?

Appreciate that there is more than one way to achieve the same thing but interested in the view of you Hoggers .

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Hammer wrote:

br ... br Watched a video re using filters . One ... (show quote)

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

A polarizing filter on the lens will do a much better job than a "virtual" one will in processing. For others, you'll find people's preferences are determined by how much they enjoy the process of visualization and preparation while in the field vs. the fun of exploration with a photo editor.

With white balance and raw, I've done variations of the same shot when editing in order to compare cool and warm, and really liked the results of each. So I wouldn't want to limit myself with a lens filter.

With a graduated ND filter, you probably could do what you suggest. It would take more work, but you do have a lot of leeway and control. Bracketing and editing might be the only way to achieve the result you want when the horizon (or whatever areas you are separating into lighter/darker) is not a straight line.

tradio Loc: Oxford, Ohio

There are only two filters that you need in your bag. One is a polarizing filter the other is a set of ND's. The ND's could be faked in PP but there are some thing's they can do that can't easily be faked.
ND's can allow wider aperture in bright light without over exposure and allow for "fluffy" waterfalls to mention a few.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Yes, filters can be simulated in many processing programs, but it's usually better to get what you want on the film or the sensor. I don't use warming or cooling filters, but I do like polarizing (CPL) and neutral density (ND).

If you going to get into filters seriously, here are some things to consider.

Buy a quality filter, but the highest price doesn't guarantee the best quality.

Buy a good filter in the largest size you'll need and then buy step-up rings to use them on your smaller lenses.

Get a Xume magnetic adapter, and you can have your filters on and off in less than a second.

Some good links -

Polarizing
https://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2017/09/my-not-nearly-complete-but-rather-entertaining-circular-polarizer-filter-article/
http://www.lenstip.com/139.25-article-Polarizing_filters_test_2015_Results_and_summary.html
http://www.techradar.com/how-to/photography-video-capture/cameras/best-circular-polarizer-filter-5-top-models-tested-and-rated-1320842
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Circular-Polarizer-Filters.aspx
http://www.lenstip.com/index.php?art=139

http://www.lenstip.com/115.1-article-Polarizing_filters_test.html
http://www.lenstip.com/115.4-article-Polarizing_filters_test_Results_and_summary.html
http://nikonrumors.com/2014/07/26/how-to-use-a-polarizing-filter.aspx/

ND Comparison
https://improvephotography.com/40253/nd-filters-30-filters-reviewed-compared/
http://nofilmschool.com/2016/02/5-filters-go-head-head-neutral-density-shootout
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/10-Stop-Neutral-Density-Filter.aspx

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

tradio wrote:

The ND's could be faked in PP but there are something's they can do that can't easily be faked.
ND's can allow wider aperture in bright light without over exposure and allow for "fluffy" waterfalls to mention a few.

A point to clarify, and Longshadow mentions also: an ND filter affects all parts of the image, a graduated ND - as the name implies - only about half of it.

Graduated ND's are good when shooting sunsets and you want a darker, saturated sky but a lighter foreground for more detail.

Re regular ND filters: both tradio and Longshadow mention aperture, but it's the slower shutter speed that produces silky water; the aperture number on its own only affects depth of field.

Yes, a smaller aperture enables a slower shutter speed for the same result in overall exposure but folks new to all this should learn the direct correlation, not the passive IMO

when attempting to achieve a specific look, e.g. silky water.

mizzee Loc: Boston,Ma

The two filters I use are a neutral density filter and a circular polarizer. Most of the other effects can be achieved in post

Hammer Loc: London UK

Linda From Maine wrote:

A polarizing filter on the lens will do a much bet... (show quote)

Hi,

Thanks for that , I forgot to mention that I use polarising filters which was dumb of me but ........Didnt think of the issue of speed v only horizon .

Hammer Loc: London UK

tradio wrote:

There are only two filters that you need in your bag. One is a polarizing filter the other is a set of ND's. The ND's could be faked in PP but there are some thing's they can do that can't easily be faked.
ND's can allow wider aperture in bright light without over exposure and allow for "fluffy" waterfalls to mention a few.

Thanks for the info. That makes sense

Hammer Loc: London UK

jerryc41 wrote:

Yes, filters can be simulated in many processing p... (show quote)

Hammer Loc: London UK

Linda From Maine wrote:

A point to clarify, and Longshadow mentions also: ... (show quote)

Thanks , all this is very very useful,

Dngallagher Loc: Wilmington De.

tradio wrote:

There are only two filters that you need in your bag. One is a polarizing filter the other is a set of ND's. The ND's could be faked in PP but there are some thing's they can do that can't easily be faked.
ND's can allow wider aperture in bright light without over exposure and allow for "fluffy" waterfalls to mention a few.

rydabyk Loc: Florida Panhandle

It is so easy when taking pictures of waterfalls and moving water without ND's and/or GND's to blow out the sky and other bright things and I may be wrong but I don't think completely blown out whites can be recovered in post. CPL's are great but they have their limitations, especially when used with a wide angle lens. There is a definite learning curve to using filters but in my very humble opinion, I think it's well worth the effort.

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

Linda From Maine wrote:

A point to clarify, and Longshadow mentions also: ... (show quote)

Hi Linda.

I have a question around graduated ND filters. I've thought about these after finding myself in some situations in which it seemed that such a filter would be helpful, but have not yet stepped out and bought any of them. The main reason is that I tend to sometimes alter my framing vertically when I compose landscapes or other outdoor images...more or less sky. The concern would be that with a graduated filter, I'd have to locate my horizon based on where the graduation in the filter falls. Clearly it would possible to do that, then crop to the desired composition, but that doesn't seem ideal.

Could you describe how you manage that dilemma?

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

larryepage wrote:

Hi Linda. br br I have a question around graduate... (show quote)

Rotate the filter.