Natural Lighting Filters etc. Michael Cushman

Types of Filters UV (Ultra Violet) a.k.a. Haze ND (Neutral Density) Polarizing –Circular –Linear Colored Filters Diffusion Filters Other (Specialty) Filters

Ultra Violet Filters (Haze) Adds clarity and sharpness to video. Removes approximately 70% of haze in outside shoots. Reduces blue haze sometimes encountered while shooting outside on cloudy or overcast days. NOTE: If you plan to shoot with this filter, do your white balance with the filter on.

ND Filters (Neutral Density) Used outside in bright light. Controls the amount of light coming into the lens. Using this button on a camera cuts down 6 ƒ stops (Arperture). Can be used in pairs in especially bright light.

Polarizing Filters Circular –Used for auto-focus lenses. –Auto-focus and auto-exposure lenses are less confused when this polarizer is used. Linear –Used for manual focus lenses. –Can be adjusted to limit amount of polarization.

Polarizing Filters (continued) Cuts light entering lens in half/i.e. ƒ16 > ƒ8. Allows light rays through in only one plane, clearing reflection and refraction of light rays from moisture in the air. Should be used at right angles (90˚) to the sun. Brightens colors & sharpens.

Colored Filters The only color filter used with color videography is a Didymium Glass (or Intensifyer/Enhancing) filter. –Used to enhance reds (sunrise/sunset) Black & White –Yellow--Improves contrast (great for landscapes). –Deep Yellow--Improves landscapes, great for marine and aerial shooting.

Colored Filters (continued) Black & White –Green Scenic photography, especially portraits against sky. –Red Dramatic Sky Effects Simulates moonlight scenes in daylight –Yellow Green Used to correct skin tones –Orange Used to give contrast between red and yellow.

Diffusion Filters Softens “hard” lighting conditions. Tiffen Soft/FX 4 filter. –Softens facial detail. –Makes bright areas glow. –Looks less like video. Makes facial “imperfections” less obvious. More friendly--adds warmth.

Specialty Filters Tiffen Pro Mist 1, Center Spot –Has a clear spot in the center of the filter and makes the edges soft. Matte box (about $160) –Allows gradient filters. –Draws attention to part of video you wish. –Step-up rings available for more than 1 filter (about $30). 6-Point Star Filter

Other Considerations Ultra Violet, Neutral Density, and Polarized Filters are regularly used for outdoor filming. Be sure you wish to use a specialty filter before filming--they often cannot be reversed easily. Most video editing programs have some form of filtering available.

More Filter Resources Excellent Basic Filter Information French Filter Manufacturer

Etcetera

Linear Polarization Filter