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Better Photo Tips - Photo Filters and More
One of my first award winning photographs was a photo with a waterfall in the background and a stream leading from its base right into the foreground. I was standing in the middle of the stream at a fairly low angle, but what made this photo unique was that I had also managed to capture several stars reflecting off the water. I admit it; it was pure luck, but with so many people impressed by those little stars . . . I started looking for ways to be able to do that whenever I wanted. That was when I first started exploring the world of photo filters.
Photo filters are NOT going to change a bad photo to a good one, BUT . . . they may change a good photo into a great one. In other words; filters are like the frosting on the cake, if the cake itself tastes bad, it doesn’t matter how sweet the frosting is. For the sake of this photo article we are going to assume you know how to make a good cake (take a good photo), and now you are ready to go to the next level.
Star Filters - these are available in 4 point, 6 point, or 8 point variety. These photo filters add glamour to nature or highly reflective surfaces (like someone playing a trumpet).
Polarizer’s - this type of photo filter is often thought of for enhancing clouds in the sky, but they also give you more control with reflections on water or glass. They also help with extreme photo lighting situations like snow or sand.
Close-Up Filter Set – not everybody can afford an extra $300 to $400 for a Macro Lens, this set of photo filters is well worth the investment. This gives you the edge to be able to take advantage of, and photograph the unexpected; whether it is a butterfly on a flower or dew on the morning grass.
Split Field Filter – A Split Field Filter allows you to go beyond the limits of traditional depth of field in photography. Half of the lens is basically a close up filter, half is regular glass. Now you can take an extreme close up photo of a flower at the edge of a vast canyon and still have BOTH sections of your photo look crystal clear.
Split Color Filter – This filter comes in several combinations. Similar to the split field filter, part of the filter is just regular glass, BUT the other half is colored. If half the filter is deep orange for example, you can take a photo of any mountain range and make it look like it was taken at sunset.
Spot Filter – The idea behind a spot filter is that a small portion of your photo will appear sharp (usually a spot in the middle) and the rest of the photo looks soft and dreamy. Often used in Wedding pictures or individual portraits.
Soft Focus Filter – As the name implies this photo filter gives the entire image a soft focus or dreamy effect. Use this VERY sparingly or people will think you can’t focus. Besides photo filters there are some other small items that you should tuck into your Camera Bag to help you improve photographic opportunities. The cost of these photo gadgets are relatively small but can give you big time (professional looking) results.
Double Sided Poster Board – For many years I carried a 10 inch x 12 inch poster board that was black on one side and white on the other. This can be used to make a small subject stand out from the back ground. A small tree frog on grass is much harder to see than one against a black background. This can also be used for controlling light like a small photo reflector.
Spray Bottle – having a small spray bottle of water means now you can take a “flowers with morning dew” photo, even if it’s the middle of the afternoon. You can also make an athlete sweat whenever you want them to; or you can wet down wild hair that is blowing in the wind for a better outdoor portrait.
The last fairly cheap item for big results is a Tripod or a Monopod. Tripods don’t have to be built so a man can sit on it to be of good quality. And if you are worried about space as you are taking your wonderful photo trek into the wilderness consider a monopod. It offers stability as well as making a good walking stick.
All of these items are considered photo add-ons. None of them are required to make a great photo, but when the opportunity arises it’s good to know you have the right tools at your disposal. Of course there are hundred of other photo gadgets and gizmos that you can get, but I advise sticking with the basics. Far more important than anything you can add to the outside, is the vision you have on the inside. Learn the elements of design. Practice leading lines, balance, repetition, framing and the rule of thirds . . . these are the ingredients of a great photo. All the rest is just frosting on the cake.
About the Author
Award winning writer / photographer Tedric Garrison has 30 years experience in photography. As a Graphic Art Major, he has a unique perspective on the Elements of Design and how those elements relate to all aspects of photography. His photo eBook (Your Creative Edge) proves that creativity CAN be taught. Tedric shares his wealth of knowledge with the world, at: Better Photo Tips.com
Adobe Photoshop CS2: The Lens Correction Filter
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US $1,750.00
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Zeikos ZE-FLK58 58mm Multi-Coated 3 Piece Filter Kit (UV-CPL-FLD) List Price: $35.95 Sale Price: $3.99  |
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Zeikos 58mm Glass Multi Coated 3 piece Filter Kit consisting of an Ultra Violet (UV), Circular Polarizer (CPL), and a Fluorescent (FLD) Filter. They have black metal rings to match most cameras. Includes a hard protective case! |
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Professional High Quality 3 Piece Filter Set For Canon SLR Cameras That Have A Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Lens Sale Price: $3.79 |
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Protect your camera lens from ultraviolet light.The ultraviolet filter prevents UV light from reaching the lens, helping increase clarity and reduce haze.As a result, your photos look crystal clear even in mountainous and coastal areas, where ultraviolet light is particularly strong... |
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58mm Lens Kit Includes 3pc High Res. Multi Coated Filter Kit + Lens Hood + 4 Pc. Close-up Filter Set Includes +1 +2 +4 +10 + More For Canon EOS Rebel XS XT XTI XSI T1I T2i T3i T3 T1 40D 50D 60D That Use Canon Lenses (18-55mm, 75-300mm, 50mm 1.4, 55-200mm) List Price: $49.95 Sale Price: $29.00 |
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Product Description Kit Includes: ♦ 1) Zeikos - ZE-HLH58 58mm Hard Rubber Lens Hood ♦ 2) Zeikos - Zeikos 3pc Lens Cleaning Kit ♦ 3) ButterflyPhoto - ButterflyPhoto Micro Fiber Cleaning Cloth ♦ 4) Zeikos - Zeikos ZE-CU458 58mm Multi-Coated 4 piece Close-up Filter Set Includes +1 +2 +4 +10 ♦ 5) Zeikos - ZE-FLK58 58mm Multi-Coated 3 Piece Filter Kit (UV-CPL-FLD) Hard Rubber Lens Hood 67mm... |
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Digital Concepts 1 2 4 10 Close-Up Macro Filter Set with Pouch (58mm) Sale Price: $10.68 |
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58MM Close Up Lens Kit Includes +1 +2 +4 +10 |
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Tiffen 58mm UV Protection Filter List Price: $20.59 Sale Price: $3.25 |
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Protects lenses from dust, moisture, scratches, and other damage. This filter can be kept on the camera at all times. |
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Lens Cap + Hood + UV Filter For 52mm Nikon D3100 18-55mm Sale Price: $3.57 |
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Compatible with: Nikon D3000. |
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Hoya 77mm DMC Pro1 Digital Multi-coated UV Filter List Price: $144.75 Sale Price: $40.99 |
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Hoya DMC PRO1 Digital Filters are specifically designed and engineered for Digital SLR Cameras. Digital Multi Coated (DMC) construction greatly reduces lens flare and ghosting. The Black Almite Frame (BAF) is a black matte finish aluminum frame that reduces reflections to enhance contrast... |
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PLR Optics High Resolution 3-piece Filter Set (UV, Fluorescent, Polarizer) For The Nikon D5000, D3000, D5100, D3100, D7000 Digital SLR Cameras Which Have Any Of These (18-55mm, 55-200mm, 50mm) Nikon Lenses Sale Price: $12.74 |
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The PLR filters continue the brand's long legacy of superior optical solutions. All our filters are carefully formulated to ensure consistent color and accuracy throughout the entire surface of the glass... |
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LensPEN Lens Cleaning System List Price: $19.99 Sale Price: $4.99 |
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Lens cleaning pen. Safe for use on all opticl lenses, LCD, plasma and glass surfaces. Nothing removes oily fingerprints better that a LensPen. Patented carbon compound. Over 500 cleanings. |
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Professional Filter Kit For Nikon D3100 Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm Lens Sale Price: $28.95 |
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Professional Filter Kit, specially designed for the Nikon D3100 Digital SLR Camera equipped with these Lenses: 18-55mm 55-200mm Filter Kits included are: 3-piece Digital Multi-Coated, Professional High Definition Filter Kit - Ultraviolet (UV) Filter: Absorbs ultraviolet rays which often cause hazy photographs... |