...I want to know how you feel about the use of lens filters. We just did a thread on filters, and I want your opinions on the use of them. Then I want to know how you feel about PS/PSP filters? Do you feel the same way about PS filters as you feel about filters for your lenses? Why or why not? I have never been one to really shoot much with filters,(except the sky filter I use on each and every shot) but I am thinking on picking up a few specialty filters. I mean of course everything needs to be done in moderation right? Let's hear it! Brenda :)

Hi Brenda :) For me: Polarising Filter - because you cannot replicate the same effect with image editing. ND filter - because it is difficult to replicate same effects with motion blur etc. ND Grads - because it is difficult to replicate the same effect. You can take 2 shots & blend but things can move like blowing trees, clouds etc. Everything else is better done in image editing because you have more precise control over the effect.

What Richard said just about summs it up for me too. With the addition of a diffusion (scattered light filter) As IMO the filter has a better effect than the software option. Also on occasion use a starburst filter. If I am in a situation that I dont need any of the above mentioned, I dont use any filters. The only exception being that I would use a UV in preference to a skylight, because I feel it is better at reducing haze (as mentioned in the filters thread) Although some prefer the skylight as it can have a slight warming effect. As far as PS/PSP goes, if you have shot unfiltered you then still have the option to have the best of both worlds in many situations.

Attached Link: http://www.photo-genesis.net/prettyinpink3.html

I don't use filters either with the exception of the sky filter and PSP of course. But I am thinking on picking up a few specialty filters, like maybe a sunset filter, rainbow filter or a star filter or maybe all of them. The reason I am thinking this way is because I did this Water Lilly shot some time ago, and it is one of my images that mother loves, and she printed it out and hung it in my father's hospital room both past and present. Everyone that comes in sees the images, many of the people that have seen that particular image really liked it. So I am thinking that a star filter wouldn't be a bad thing if used in moderation? The sunset filter I think would be fun to play with, and the rainbow filter would be fun, actually I think they all would be fun to play with. (Yes!!! TOYS!!!) That image which you can find at the link, was done in camera with no filters. So this is why I am asking! Brenda :)

I've not had much of a need beyond a polarizer for saturating colors, and a skylight for removing UV. The graduated ND sounds, in theory, useful. Back when I used B&W film, the deep RED, Yellow, and Green filters were useful. Now I shoot in color and use the Channel Mixer in photoshop for the same affect. I can see that some of the starburst, rainbow, etc. would be fun. But I'd have to find them in a garage sale or on eBay. ALL of the photoshop filters are fun!

I have thought about a rainbow filter myself, to play with for fun; dont know how realistic they look but sounds like fun anyway. Star filters come in various point values, usually 8,16 etc, and can produce great and not great effects. So like you say in moderation. IMO it deepens in the size and distance of the subject, a big streetlamp may give off big wide bands of light which might not look right; bur from further away will probably look pretty cool. In some conditions (like your image) you will get subtle staring just with the lens, this may also be affected by the amount of diaphragm blades that control the aperture (speculation) I have got a sunset filter, but have never really got it to look right, it always seems OTT on the colours, that maybe partly the filter colour and partly user error (more speculation) Some cool/not cool star examples! http://www.renderosity.com/viewed.ez?galleryid=846677&Start=109&Artist=LostPatrol&ByArtist=Yes http://www.renderosity.com/viewed.ez?galleryid=846677&Start=109&Artist=LostPatrol&ByArtist=Yes http://www.renderosity.com/viewed.ez?galleryid=932097&Start=37&Artist=LostPatrol&ByArtist=Yes http://www.renderosity.com/viewed.ez?galleryid=931001&Start=37&Artist=LostPatrol&ByArtist=Yes

Attached Link: http://www.usefilm.com/image/808541.html

Simon, I've looked at all of the links you posted, that one is there twice so there were only three. I have asked a few questions, not sure if you can answer them or not. But I do intend to get one of these rascals, it is nice to know that someone enjoys playing with filters and images. Do you have any more images in which you have used the star, rainbow or sunset filters? Huh? Huh? Huh? ;) I notice that this one star filter is an 8, would the 16 make a smaller star? I was thinking smaller number larger aperature mentality. I will most ceratinly post some work here in the forum done with such filters once I obtain them and have had the opportunity to play a bit! I am including a link to an image done with a sunset filter. Brenda :)

When I shoot b&w film, which is not very often these days, I always use a yellow filter to increase contrast and sometimes a red for even darker skies. With color a polarizer is nice but I usually forget to put it on. Now that I've joined the digital age I love using software filters or all sorts (thanks!) to get different effects. I don't see any philosophical or artistic difference between physical lens filters and software, they're both just ways of manipulating light. I guess it's like the musicians that favor pure acoustic instruments and can't abide by anyone using electronic processors, it's just a matter of taste. Personally I've never met a guitar effect or a PSP filter that I didn't like!

Attached Link: Kort's Elfwood Rainbow image

Great discussion. I think Richard was right about the must haves. The rest are just for play and if you have a specific image in mind. I like adding effects afterwards - the control it provides. I had a rainbow filter for PS before I upgraded to the newer version...it didn't look overly realistic. The attached link shows you some of my old photomanips, this one with the rainbow. It is good for a laugh. :-)

Attached Link: http://www.renderosity.com/viewed.ez?galleryid=847945&Start=109&Artist=LostPatrol&ByArtist=Yes

Two links the same! Oops (it was late lol) This is the missing link so to speak lol it is a timed street scene, that went wrong as someone walked into the frame as I was shooting, which happened to make it kind of cool. I havent got a rainbow filter, but I am considering getting one. TwoPynts link looks cool though. I havent used the sunset filter for years I have probably got one or two somewhere that were shot on film (back in the 80's) lol I said it was years. The two shots with and without a star were shot with the idea of contrasting concepts, one subtle and one in your face, they both IMO have their merit but think the star one is a little OTT. Oddly enough I hadnt used the star filter in years either and found it whilst rummaging in my cam bag for the remote cable, and thought yay that might be cool! I dont think the length of exposure affects the length of the star (Speculation as I dont really know) I have not used a star 16, but would think that the star effect would be the same just with more points (more speculation) I dont think aperture effects the star length either, the street scene was f8 I think and the 2005 one was f22 I have only ever used this filter on a 50mm prime, as it is a Cokin A series and too small for my other lenses, other lenses may behave differently. I dont know if all star filters are the same, maybe there are variants with longer and shorter stars, but personally I dont think so. Cokin do 2,4,8, and 16 point as far as I can tell form their booklet, there is probably other brands though. This is the only other star shot I have I think, was done for one of the challenges a whole back. http://www.renderosity.com/viewed.ez?galleryid=735659&Start=199&Artist=LostPatrol&ByArtist=Yes I think I have answered/failed to answer all your questions lol, feel free to ask any more you have. Im sure you will have fun when you get these toys, look forward to seeing the results. Simon

Its not a great shot, in my defence it was probably 16 years ago (maybe more) Anyway you get the idea; luckily my photography and compo have improved a little since then! Actually its not as bad as I had thought colourwise, but Im not sure it looks natural, probably user error though. Maybe I will dig it out and give it another go. Simon

Hey, I like it Simon. :)

Kort! An intersting image to say the least, have to wonder about that last comment under it though??? I think you did very well with the montage! Very dreamy! :) Simon! OK I responded under your posts with the star filter, definately got to get me one of those, will have to ask about the different sizes and see what the guy behind the counter has to say, will relay this info to you if you are interested! :) Now for the image in # 11. I am wondering if maybe it was upside down? I haven't ever seen one up close and personal, but I seem to think the red should be at the top and clear or blue at the bottom, will have to check out one of these, might just bring one home! I also think that is a lovely image to be honest, very scenic! I adore mountains! Brenda :)

Brenda The filter was the right way up, but think I probably had it pushed too far down in the holder, it was a long time ago in my photography infancy, I am going to dig the filter out and have a go next time the opportunity arises. Dont get too many sunset evenings here, plenty of moody cloud though lol Yes would be interested on any info on the star filters. Read comments and thank you. Happy shooting Simon

Attached Link: http://www.uk-photos-web.co.uk/sco10d/night/oban_night_a/oban_night_a.html

Brenda Kind of in regard to your comments on "sleep walking" I originally got the star filter specifically for night photography, As I seem to remember I saw a photo in a magazine done with a star filter and thought it might bee cool. Even though I dont use the filter very often, it is always fun when I do, even though some of them are a little OTT so say the least. I quite enjoy night photography, not always easy to get the right conditions. Few more from this series (link) with and without filter. On the page there is a link on the right to page two Simon

Simon! I too enjoy night photography, it just never dawned on me to use this filter at night! Looked at your link, and again some of these effects are cool looking at night! Not sure what you mean when you say they are OTT? Do you mean odd? Or does that mean over the top? I went to the camera store today and bought into the Cokin filter system, which I find a bit odd. Any of the filters I had ever used before were the screw on kind. No special rings or adapters like with this system. Now for the star filter, they came in 2,4,8 and 16 the numbers do not refer to the size of the star but rather the number of points on the star, I thought the 8 point star looked sharp and purchased one. The size of the star is determined soley by the brightness of the light source alone, the aperature, ISO and shutter speed have nothing to do with the size star produced. I also purchased a circular polarizer, I think I will get a lot of use out of this filter, judging by the results I saw produced with this filter. I looked at the rainbow filter as well, the results they showed produced with it looked "hokey" at best. So I am going to hold off getting one of these. I also looked at the sunset filter, hmmmm wasn't impressed with it either, I am thinking on purchasing a red graduated filter instead, or maybe a creative filter that goes from red to yellow or something, will let you know what I decide what to do. I also liked the effects of the diffused filter for portraits. Dreamy effects to say the least! Brenda :)

Brenda Yes over the top OTT, really was referring to the harbour shot with lots of lights and the stars all over the place. I think if there are too many bright lights in the scene it can be a little over powering. (still fun though) I thought that the star size would be determined by the brightness of the light source rather than aperture etc (I was right yeeehaaaa lol) I think the more points more $$$ typical! IMO both screw in filters and the Cokin system have their pros and cons. I like the Cokin system, once you have the filter holder the filters are relatively cheap, it is an odd looking system eh? But you can change filters quite quickly and easily. Probably the most important thing about the Cokin system is that you can slide the filter up and down, that is important with a grad filter of course. If you have different size lens threads all you need is different adapter rings (much cheaper than different size screw ins On the down side you have to take it all off to put a lens cap on, or put your cam back in its bag. Yeh a graduated red might be good too, I think it may depend on what colour your sunsets are, I have noticed that where you are they seem to be more on the red side, whilst here they are very orange, must have something to do with atmospherics and geographical location?!? Never was too good on the geography lol, I know you are much further south than I am, think you must be on a par with southern Spain, here is almost in the artic circle (Brrr) lol Enough of my blurb. Happy shooting and have fun Simon

Attached Link: http://www.cokin.com/ico3-p1-2.html

Hello again Simon! The 16 point star would be way too much, not dollar wise, but point wise, they showed it using a candle with nice soft points, but to use it like you used it, or like I intend to use it, would be way too many points and way too distracting. They also had another star filter which in my opinion changed the whole feel of the image, discoloring it and making softer, I didn't like that effect at all. I will be playing with this filter for some time to come I am sure and the images I feel are worthy of showing you will see! Thank you again for all of your input. Let's get creative now. I already took an image with the star filter, now I have to apply it to my style of shooting! Simon be sure to check out this link, these are the star filters they have. If you click on a filter it will show you a sample of an image taken with it. Brenda :)

Cool link Brenda thanks they are the same as in book, cool to see examples though. I think they probably all have there place, the detractors are a bit bold for me I think, I could probably live with the soft star (maybe) but think you probably mote natural colours from the standard stars. I have only got the 8 point, quite like the 2 point, the 16 is maybe a little much, as least for street scenes. Im sure you will incorporate it into your style, glad I could help a little. Look forwards to seeing the results Anyway I have some time off coming up so maybe I will get time to play! Yay lol We kind of made this thread our own lol Simon

Yeah we hijacked the thread! LOL! I wasn't overly fond of the two point star, the four and the eight seemed to be the better ones for me. I wasn't too wild about the rainbow stars either, not sure what you would use those things for! I have time off too and I intend to be bring you results with these filters very soon! Brenda :)