📸 Photography Discussion Roundtable

Monday nights, 7:00 PM ET on BrandMeister TG 31266

Step into the world of 35mm photography with the Photography Discussion Roundtable, held every Monday evening at 7:00 PM ET on BrandMeister DMR Talkgroup 31266 — the MichiganOne Nets channel. This engaging net is your chance to explore the art and science of photography, ask questions, and sharpen your skills in a welcoming, knowledge-rich environment.

Hosted by James N8TMP, Bob KB8DQQ, and Rick AD8KN, each brings a wealth of experience to the mic. Bob and James are seasoned wedding photographers, while Rick adds deep technical insight and practical know-how. Together, they guide discussions on camera features, techniques, terminology, and everything from aperture to artistic vision.

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your craft, tune in and join the conversation. Your next great shot starts here.

Your Photography Discussion Roundtable team members are:

Bob KB8DQQ James N8TMP Rick AD8KN

https://michiganonedmrtech.net/photography/

https://thediabeticham.com/photography/

🧭 What Is a Camera Filter?

A camera filter is a piece of optical glass (or high-quality resin) that changes how light enters the lens.
Filters can:

Reduce reflections or glare
Darken bright skies
Protect your lens from dust or scratches
Enhance colors and contrast
Allow long exposures during daylight

They’re the photographer’s equivalent of sunglasses, but with much more control and creative potential.

📸 Why Do I Need a Filter?

Understanding Camera Lens Filters and When to Use Them

Filters are one of photography’s most versatile accessories. They attach to the front of your camera lens (or sometimes mount behind it) to control light, color, reflections, and contrast — and sometimes to protect your lens itself.

Whether you shoot landscapes, portraits, architecture, or wildlife, the right filter can enhance your images before you even press the shutter.

🧰 The Main Types of Filters

Here are the most common filters photographers use, what they do, and when to use them:

🟢 1. UV (Ultraviolet) or Clear Protective Filters

What They Do:
Originally designed to block ultraviolet haze in film photography; today, they’re mostly used to protect your lens.

When to Use:

Everyday shooting, especially in dusty, sandy, or wet environments
Any time you want to safeguard your lens from scratches or fingerprints

Pros:
✅ Protects lens glass
✅ No change to exposure or color balance
✅ Cheap insurance for expensive lenses

Cons:
❌ Can add minor reflections or ghosting
❌ Low-quality filters can degrade image sharpness

🟡 2. Polarizing Filters (CPL – Circular Polarizer)

What They Do:
Control reflections and glare from water, glass, or shiny surfaces and enhance sky contrast (deepening blues and enriching clouds).

When to Use:

Landscapes with water or blue skies
Removing reflections from windows or wet surfaces
Outdoor scenes in bright sunlight

Pros:
✅ Richer colors and contrast
✅ Removes unwanted glare
✅ Deepens sky tone and foliage saturation

Cons:
❌ Reduces light by 1–2 stops (requires longer exposure)
❌ Uneven sky color on wide-angle lenses
❌ Must be rotated to find the perfect angle

🔵 3. ND (Neutral Density) Filters

What They Do:
Darken the entire image evenly without changing color. This allows longer exposures or wider apertures in bright light.

When to Use:

Waterfalls, rivers, or clouds (for silky smooth motion)
Daytime portraits with shallow depth of field
Video shooting to maintain consistent shutter speed

Pros:
✅ Enables long exposures and motion blur effects
✅ Controls depth of field in bright conditions
✅ Useful for video and time-lapse

Cons:
❌ Requires tripod for long exposures
❌ Harder to compose and focus in darkened view
❌ Cheap ND filters may add color cast

🟠 4. Graduated ND (GND) Filters

What They Do:
Gradually darken one part of the image (usually the sky) while leaving the rest unchanged. Perfect for balancing bright skies and dark landscapes.

When to Use:

Sunrise and sunset shots
Landscape scenes with high contrast between sky and land

Pros:
✅ Balances exposure between bright and dark areas
✅ Reduces blown-out highlights
✅ Creates dramatic skies

Cons:
❌ Fixed horizon line – not ideal if your composition isn’t level
❌ Requires careful positioning
❌ Some prefer to blend exposures digitally instead

🔴 5. Color Correction and Effects Filters

What They Do:
Change or enhance colors — used more in film photography, but still relevant for creative work or special effects.

Examples:

Warming filters (add orange tones for golden sunlight)
Cooling filters (add blue tones for cooler look)
Special effects filters (starburst, diffusion, soft focus)

When to Use:

Portraits, fashion, or creative photography
When shooting film or to achieve effects in-camera instead of post

Pros:
✅ Instant creative effect — no editing needed
✅ Adds style and mood at capture time

Cons:
❌ Difficult to remove effect later
❌ Less relevant with today’s digital editing flexibility

⚫ 6. Infrared (IR) and Specialty Filters

What They Do:
Block visible light and allow infrared light through — creating surreal, dreamlike images with white foliage and dark skies.

When to Use:

Experimental or artistic photography
Infrared landscapes or architecture

Pros:
✅ Unique, otherworldly look
✅ Expands creative possibilities

Cons:
❌ Requires modified camera or long exposures
❌ Complex focusing and exposure adjustments

🌄 **When You Need a Filter**

Scene / Situation	Recommended Filter	Purpose
Bright midday landscape	Polarizer	Reduce glare and deepen sky
Waterfall or moving water	ND filter	Smooth, silky water flow
Beach or snow scene	Polarizer or ND	Reduce reflections, prevent overexposure
Sunset with bright sky	Graduated ND	Balance exposure between sky and land
Portrait in harsh light	ND	Wider aperture for background blur
Dusty or windy environment	UV/Protection	Lens protection
Creative or artistic effect	Color or IR	Add mood or surreal tones

⚖️ Pros and Cons of Using Filters

Aspect	Pros	Cons
Image Quality	Can dramatically improve dynamic range and contrast	Cheap filters may degrade sharpness
Exposure Control	Enables long exposures and motion blur	Adds complexity to shooting
Color & Mood	Enhances tones naturally in-camera	Can be replicated digitally (in post)
Lens Protection	Protects from scratches or dust	Adds another optical surface (potential reflections)
Creativity	Encourages in-camera artistry	Limits flexibility after shooting

🧩 Digital Editing vs. Physical Filters

Some effects (like color correction or graduated ND balancing) can be done later in editing software such as Lightroom or Photoshop.
However, polarization and reflections cannot be recreated digitally — you need a real filter for those.

So while software can simulate many effects, physical filters still have a unique, irreplaceable role.

🏁 Summary

Filters are not just accessories — they’re creative tools that let you control light, balance exposure, and protect your gear.

Type	What It Does Best	Ideal For
UV/Protection	Lens safety	Everyday shooting
Polarizer (CPL)	Cuts glare, enhances color	Landscapes, water, skies
ND	Long exposure control	Waterfalls, motion, portraits
Graduated ND	Balances sky and land brightness	Sunrise/sunset landscapes
Color/Effects	Artistic and mood changes	Portraits, creative work
Infrared	Surreal, experimental images	Artistic photographers

🎯 Takeaway:
Use filters when you want to control light and reflections at the moment of capture, not just in editing.
The right filter turns a technically correct shot into an emotionally powerful image — and shows your creative intent straight from the camera.

To learn more, check out these websites:

Camera Filters: The Who, What, Why, When, Where, and How

📸 Photography Discussion Roundtable

🧭 What Is a Camera Filter?

📸 Why Do I Need a Filter?

🧰 The Main Types of Filters

🟢 1. UV (Ultraviolet) or Clear Protective Filters