First-time filmmakers may not be aware of the great benefits lens filters can provide to your typical film shots. The following article explores the 4 most common camera filters and explains how you can start using them in your video productions to make your films really stand out:
What Is A Filter?
A filter is a transparent piece of plastic that is manipulated in a way to create unique effects when placed over your camera lens. You may find you can purchase filters that fit perfectly for your camera model, but most often you’ll need to get a bit DIY about it and stick filters on with tape or get a member of your crew to hold one in place. You might also find that some filters fit in a peculiar way with your lens that actually causes the filters to move as you try to focus your shot, which can make things rather tricky.
1. The Graduate
A graduated filter has a portion of it shaded horizontally. This shading allows you to generate effects to the top portion of your frame. These graduated filters come in all varieties of colour allowing you to create grey skies, blue skies or even help to produce an artificial sunset.
2. The Polariser
A polarising filter is a fantastic filter to have at hand. It’s polarising nature allows you to minimize reflections and surface glare allowing you to film through windows, in mirrors and even help you to shoot individuals wearing glasses while maintaning a good quality image.
3. The Split Diopter
A split diopter helps to force a unique depth of field look. By nature it focuses a close-up on one portion of the screen. What this means is that you can have an individual at the front of the frame in focus and someone in the background also in focus at the same time. Traditionally depth of field tries to keep only one individual in focus so this is a great tool to counter that problem.
4. The Close-Up
A close-up filter works just like the zoom on your camera, only it saves you having to do so. It has a great ability to magnify what’s in shot allowing you to zoom in to a particular object or individual without having to alter anything on your camera. This can be a real time-saver.
Summary
There you have it, your essential guide to working with the 4 most common camera filters. By using and understanding the benefits and uses of these filters you can begin to make some very creative shots in your next video production and help to make your footage as professional as possible.
