March Newsletter
Greetings from
Porter's Camera Store!

Ah, the wonderful world of filters. Used practically since film photography was invented, filters are just as relevant today with digital cameras. There are many techniques you just can't do with Photoshop alone. (Or it may take hours by using Photoshop, instead of a couple of minutes by using a filter.) By using a creative filter on a digital camera, you'll have the ability to see the image you have recorded immediately. If it isn't right, just shoot again until you get the perfect image. The use of creative filters allows you to continue to do what has brought millions of people to photography in the last century...the ability to see an average subject and transform it into an object of beauty or mystery is just plain cool. Now that photography has gone digital, no one has ever said, "Gee, I love to spend my whole night in front of my computer screen tweaking my photos". For those people who like to look at the world with rose-colored glasses, it is time to try some creative filters.

Rainbow Diffraction Filter One of Porter's most popular creative filters. In a very short time, you can highlight your image with a rainbow of color, something that could take a very long time to reproduce in Photoshop.

Star Filters The glow of a candle or a row of streetlights can be transformed into works of art if a Star-Cross Filter is used. Star filters create 4, 6, 8 or 16 rays from each source of light in the picture. For the best results, use a 4 or 8 point for things such as candles at weddings and use the 16 point filter to photograph street scenes and places where there are a lot of lights.

Radial Zoom Filter A simple object can be razzle-dazzled when photographed with a Radial Zoom Filter. With just changing the exposure or background slightly, you can give completely different looks to your subject, something not as easily done with computer manipulation.

Mask Filters Filters will also allow you to mask part of the photo to eliminate distracting backgrounds and enhance your subjects.

Besides the filters mentioned, there is a host of other filters that allow creative expression such as color graduated filters, diffusion filters and multi-image filters. There is no end to the possibilities of what you can create. To begin using filters, you need to first determine if one can be attached to the front of your camera. Digital SLRs allow a filter to be mounted via the threads on the lens. Many smaller digital cameras allow filters to be mounted directly, or accept a lens adapter for mounting threaded filters. This information is available in the instruction manual for the camera. If your camera has no means of accepting a filter or an adapter, you can always hold a filter in front of the lens as an image is captured. Review your images immediately to make sure you captured the desired effect. If not, take another shot. Creative photography has never been easier or more fun.
All these filters can be found in our Filter Dept. in our On-Line Store!