There are a number of filters
that we can make use of for coastal photography.
Polarizer
Used at around 90 degrees to
the sun, improves clouds and makes the sky bluer. Used in harbours and the like
allows us to improve reflections in water, and used to look through rock pools,
we can get a clear view making the water surface disappear and giving clearer
views. With some scenes we may also be able to see further cutting down haze.
Star filter
Used to get small stars to appear where the
light catches an item, such as highlight stops on waves or water. Can also
be used for night shots turning lights into stars.
Neutral Density graduated filters
Works like a set of sun glasses on the sky,
allowing the sky to be reduced in brightness compared to the land or sea.
This means that skies don't get blown and lost. These rectangular filters
come in a variety of strengths and can be combined, they graduate from dark
to clear around half way down. There are a number of sizes available
and a variety of holders. You can get different adapters that allow a single
set of filters and holder to fit a lot of different lens sizes.
Coloured graduated filters
Fitting into the same holder as the
graduated filters, these can give a variety of effects, for example you can
have a blue filter used the opposite way up to a ND grad, so as to give the
sea a more blue colour, or a coral coloured filter to add some colour to
cliffs and sand. You can also get either special multi coloured filters or
sets of coloured filters that can make a very colourful sunset, all you need
is a setting sun. In addition to the standard holders you can get special holders that connect together allowing some filters to be at
angles to others.
Black and white photography filters
Some digital cameras now have a digital
filter for black and white photography. If not or additionally you can use
either a screw or square filter that fits into the same holders and the ND
grads. These filters have the effect of changing the tone, they lighten the
same colour and darken the opposite.
See also
filter
and the digital camera.
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