on 6/15/04 12:21 PM, Evan Ruff at evan@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:
>
> Hey guys,
>
> I was wondering if someone could give me a brief explanation about what
> color filters I should use in which situations when shooting B&W. I don't
> think I fully understand the benefits of it.
>
> Thanks,
> Evan
>
The basic principle to remember is that a filter lightens its own color in
the B & W print, and darkens its complementary color. What are complementary
colors...? On a color wheel, red is opposite green, yellow is opposite blue,
and I forget the other one. Really.
But the basic principle for use (with panchromatic film, which is
practically every B&W film nowdays) is that to lighten a color, or
differentiate between shades better, use a filter of the same color. So for
green landscape scenes you can get more shades of gray by using a green
filter (sometimes called X1 or X2 I think). For increased contrast between
clouds and blue sky, darken the blue sky with a yellow or orange filter, or
for most dramatic effects use a red filter. For hiding skin complexion
problems in portraits use a yellow or orange filter, it 'fades out' the
darker blemishes (caucasian subjects assumed here...)
Nowdays you can apply most filter effects after the fact using Photoshop,
but if its not on the negative to begin with its hard to fix it later, so
for those dramatic cloud-filled skys use the yellow or orange filter.
--
Jim Brokaw
OM-'s of all sorts, and no OM-oney...
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