using filters for bw ?

[fwellers]

Hi,
I am still investigating buying a film camera and making my own prints. I have a probably dumb question.
When postprocessing my digital files whenever I want to convert to black and white, I get to choose which filter color and strength to use. I've always heard that for shooting black and white, a filter is required for best results, and it is up to the photographer to know which filter to use.
It's all pretty easy with digital, but what do you do when shooting Tri-x ?

So that's my question. Do all of you who shoot b-w, use filters regularly , and if so is it hard to know when to use which ones ? Is that another thing I'm going to have to learn and do ?

Thanks !!
Floyd

 

[john_s]

Yellow is often used in sunlight to create differentiation between blue sky and clouds. Orange is stronger, red even more so.

This is quite good:

http://www.acecam.com/magazine/filters-faq.html

 

[colyn]

It really depends on what you are shooting. Most times I don't use a filter but when I want the clouds to stand out I use a yellow filter.

Green can be used to give proper skin tones in b&w portraits.

 

[fwellers]

That was quick, to the point and very informational !!
Much obliged for the responses and for the great link.
😎

 

[ZeissFan]

Green also is good to lighten foilage, which otherwise records as very dark with most films today (panchromatic).

There are also orange and red (for skies), red to lighten skin blemishes and yellow-green for both skies and foilage. I can't say that I've ever used a blue filter.

For infrared film, you must use a filter to get the appropriate effect. Kodak HIE (no longer being produced) allowed a deep red (25) or a true infrared filter, which was opaque to the visible eye.

Some of the newer emulsions require a very dark red (almost opaque) to work correctly.

For most b/w work, I don't use a filter.

 

[FPjohn]

B+W provides a good summary on filters for b/w photography.
http://www.schneideroptics.com/info/handbook/pdf/B+WHandbook30_35.pdf
http://www.schneideroptics.com/info/handbook/pdf/B+WHandbook_Full.pdf
yours
FPJ

 

[Leighgion]

Once you understand the general effects of each color filter, it largely becomes a matter of taste when you use them. I found that article rather reserved about it. Personally, I find red filters great fun there's fluffy clouds in the sky.

 

[fwellers]

This forum is the best !!!
Thanks.
I feel like my brain is a piece of oversaturated emulsion lately, but you guys make it easier.

Many forums with this much experience have that snob factor, or can't be bothered to help someone with such basic questions. I'll try not to abuse you too much. 😱

 

[Tim Gray]

I rarely shoot with filters. I just got a set of yellow filters for my lenses, so I might start using them on sunny days. It's a subtle effect. I do sometimes use a red filter to really darken the sky.

They aren't needed but I'd keep an eye out for filters that fit your lenses. Pick them up used and you'll eventually assemble a good selection, and you can play around with them to see what you like.

 

[WDPictures]

I used a polarizer much more with SLR's (kind of awkward with RF's) but now I usually shoot without filters or with a Red 25 or maybe a ND.

Haven't used my green/yellows enough to discuss as I didn't really get into them, found them to be a bit too "why bother" subtle.
On another, similar thread there were a lot of "yellow" filter responses. Was that thread in regards to "street" shooting?

Maybe get some el cheapo filters and do some see-what-you-like testing...

 

[raydm6]

Tri-X w/yellow filter on heavy overcast day - (Leica IIIf & 5cm Summitar):

 

[Fotohuis]

The conversion to grey tones in a modern film is pretty linear. Only Blue is often to soft. You can correct this with the Yellow filter. I use it in landscape photography.

Further I am using special filters for IR photography. Here you block all visible light with an IR filter (e.g. RG715nm) and the IR film is registrate only the IR light.
You get a special 'wood' effect in the plants and trees. The Chlorofyl is reacting with the IR light.

Here my TLR with the Heliopan Yellow and IR filter and an example of IR B&W photography.

 

[ianglean]

http://rangefinderfilipinas.com/forums/index.php?topic=62.0

 

[Tom A]

There are basically three different filters for bl/w (and some special one like IR filters). Yellow (K2) for giving a bit difference in the sky/clouds, Orange for more dramatic cloud/sky and the Red that will turn the sky quite black (and also give lip-stick a rather "gothic" look).
Occasionally I use Green for lightening foliage, but very rarely I have to admit.
A light blue filter will darken skin-tones on Caucasians so that they look a bit tanned - but avoid any sky as it bleaches out.
My most used filters is the Yellow, followed by the Red and Deep Red.
Panchromatic films react a bit differently depending on brand and speed - so experiment with it.
I usually have a couple of yellow/red filters along when travelling - but rarely use them. Occasionally you can "lift" a white building out by using the drama of a black sky with the red filter. Usually I am going "Damned, forgot the filters in the hotel" when they are needed!

 

[WDPictures]

difficult to achieve in post processing?

difficult to achieve in post processing?

You can't really get these same results in post processing of b+w film correct? Since the color is absent on the film you can't really get the same quality of separation???

 

[thomasw_]

yellow -- girls, to soothe the skin tones
green -- guys, to add ruggedness to their skin

red/orange for skies, red being the most dramatic in darkening a sky to highlight clouds or a tree or some architectural structure.

 

[DennisPT]

I got a dump question: Does b/w filters work for those C-41 developed films like Kodak 400CN? Thanks.

 

[Chris101]

... Further I am using special filters for IR photography. Here you block all visible light with an IR filter (e.g. RG715nm) and the IR film is registrate only the IR light.
You get a special 'wood' effect in the plants and trees. The Chlorofyl is reacting with the IR light. ...

Hi Robert, I have been reading on this, and it seems that it is the entrained air that causes the white appearance to foliage and other materials. Look at pine trees. They have just as much chlorophyll as deciduous trees, but are denser and do not have as much air in them. They come out darker in IR.

By the way, I sorely miss HIE, as Efke, Ilford and Rollei's products are much less sensitive.

 

[Chris101]

... Do all of you who shoot b-w, use filters regularly , and if so is it hard to know when to use which ones ? Is that another thing I'm going to have to learn and do ? ...

I'm a 'filter whore' Floyd, that is I have literally hundreds of them. However, I only use a filter if it is necessary to the picture at hand. Most of my photos are taken with no filter (or a clear one if I'm being paranoid about exposing the front element to the elements.)

As you know from using Photoshop to simulate filtration, modifying the color spectrum has a huge effect on the look of the final photograph. The problem with doing it in film is that you cannot see and adjust the effect. So you will need to build an experiential database.

All of the recommendation you see here are good. Photography books used to have tables of filters and possible uses for their effects, and those are another good source. The basic filters for B&W are red, orange and yellow, which all have similar effects with deep red being the strongest, and light yellow the weakest. Green as you see above is good for people and trees. Blue filters are interesting: they bring out any skin blemishes and add haze to landscapes. And yes, they'll turn any sky bald white.

If you want to learn to use filters (and you can do great b&w photography without them. Ralph Gibson, for example, eschews filteration), buy each of the filters you want to use, then do some testing. Take the same picture with each of your filters, and with no filter. Compare prints of those photos and learn what effect the filter had on the picture. Soon you will develop a feeling for what a particular filter will do.

Good luck and hope you don't end up like me...

 

[karthiks]

Another one of those beautifully informative threads I have come to love RFF for. 🙂

I have a yellow and green filter. I shall have to start experimenting with them soon.

Thanks for all the great replies.