One of the questions I am often asked regarding my photography, is whether I use filters. I dive deeper into this topic in my article: Filters – Why I use them, in the Summer 2022 edition of PHOTONews (Coming in Mid June, 2022).
The short answer is yes, and I’d like to show you an example of an unprocessed image without filters, beside a processed image in which I used both a graduated neutral density filter to control highlights in the sky, and a standard neutral density filter to reduce the amount of light entering the lens, thus allowing me to slow down the camera shutter speed to smooth out clouds and water in the image.
As I mention in my article, there are sometimes ways around using filters, and from time to time, I choose to not pack them on hikes when I am trying to keep my kit super light. However, filters are often a means of creating additional mood in my images, keeping my editing time shorter, and allowing me to spend more time in the field.
If you would like to practice using filters and shooting landscapes and environmental portraits in the stunning Canadian Rockies this summer, there are still a couple of spots left on my Landscapes and Environmental Portraits tour in July. For more information, please follow this link: https://www.viktoriahaackphotography.ca/Workshops
Unfiltered image
Nikon Z7, 14-30 F4 S lens at 29mm, f/11, 1/50 second, ISO 100.
Filtered image
Nikon Z7, 14 – 30 F4 S lens at 16mm, f/11, 25 seconds, ISO 100.
About the Author
Viktoria Haack is originally from the UK and has been a resident of BC, Canada since 2007. Viktoria is heavily influenced by the beautiful environment that surrounds her. She has a background in fine art and anthropology, which, combined with her love of the natural world, brings a unique perspective to her photography: Her ethos is to tread lightly; observe and document the subtle visual story within whichever photographic genre she is working.
Viktoria’s work covers the fields of landscape, portrait, wedding, event, promotion, editorial, stock and photography education; allowing her to stay creative and excited about the projects she undertakes.
I really would like to compare the 2 photos with nothing changed except the filters. Using a different focal length- 29mm vs 16mm changes the perspective. Thanks – Len
Hi Len,
Unfortunately I don’t have a comparison at the same focal length for this image but could perhaps share something different in the future. I think the image does show the difference between lack of detail in the clouds and the ripples in the water however.