Many landscape photographers consider lens filters to be the most important accessories they own, carrying an extensive assortment that borders on obsession. But what if you don’t want to take things quite so far, but are interested in a few filters that will greatly enhance your results? Read on!
This tutorial from the Andy H Photography YouTube channel narrows down your choices to a small (and less expensive) filter collection in barely four minutes. He puts it like this: “In this video I demonstrate the impact of the “most important filters” for landscape and nature photography and explain how to use them.”
According to Andy, you can get by with just four: a circular polarizer (CPL) and three neutral Density (ND) filters of varying strengths—an ND8, ND64 and ND1000. He also explains a technique known as filter stacking and why you may want to try this too.
In this behind-the-scenes episode on the beautiful Mediterranean coast you’ll watch Andy capture a variety of photos—first with no filter at all, and then while employing the four mentioned above to shoot the same scene. You’ll not only earn the necessary camera settings for each type of filter but see the huge difference these accessories make to the look of the images.
Andy begins with the CPL that has a rotating from ring for increasing or decreasing the effect you achieve. A quick comparison of the CPL image with the first unfiltered shot reveals several key characteristics. The polarizer darkenes the sky and eliminates unwanted reflections on the water.
The video becomes even more interesting as Andy captures a succession of images with his three ND Filters, and the drama of the photos increase as he proceeds. We’ll leave it to him to explain the proper techniques and required settings, but the basic concept is this: ND Filters let you to make long exposures in bright sun by cutting the amount of light reaching the camera’s sensor—depending upon the strength of the filter employed.
Doing so enables you to enables you to capture eye-catching images of subjects in motion, with cotton-like clouds and soft-silky water for a surreal effect. You’ll also see how the recommended filters can be used in combination to further heighten the impact.
Andy’s instructional YouTube channel is a great source of shooting and editing lessons, gear discussions, and more. So pay a visit and explore what he has to offer—especially of landscape and nature photography are among your prime interests.
We also recommend that you watch the earlier tutorial we posted, demonstrating how to take your macro photography to the next level with several great tips from a small-world pro.
Today we’re exploring the characteristics of soft light and the different ways it can affect the impact of outdoor images, whether they’re landscapes, environmental portraits, or just about anything else. This tutorial comes to us from the folks the Great Big Photography World—a YouTube community of passionate creatives with a comprehensive range of lessons for shooters of all skills levels.
Today’s unnamed instructor kicks off the lesson with this: “Learning how to control soft light is an essential skill for all photographers.” This type of light is created by relatively large light source, like bright overcast skies or when light clouds momentarily enter the frame.
There are several ways that conditions like these can lessen the impact of an image, by muting colors, sacrificing detail, and introducing an overall flat appearancs devoid of contrast that’s less than ideal. Fortunately. there are several simple techniques and a couple of affordable accessories that will dramatically improve the impact of photos shot in soft light.
One basic fact is this: The closer a light source is when falling on a subject, the softer it will appear and the smoother the shadows will be. This not only holds true when shooting in the field, but when making indoor portraits by indirect window light.
As you’ll see, a simple lightweight umbrella can be a big help outdoors when the subject is close to the camera position—especially in mixed light. Examples include macro photos, portraits, and even when there’s a key element in the foreground. The trick is to learn how to control the light, because bad things tend to happen when it’s too diffused.
Another important consideration is the difference between shooting under deep cloud cover and intentionally positioning a key subject in the shade on brighter days. The instructor also reveals his recommended camera settings and exposure modes for different situations because “there are varying levels of soft light”—each requiring a unique approach.” And if the sun peaks out from behind the clouds and becomes too harsh, there are ways to prevent that direct illumination from spoiling your results.
We strongly recommend visiting the Great Big Photography World YouTube channel—whether you’re a beginner or seasoned pro—where you’ll find unique projects and helpful lessons on a wide variety of topics.
And don’t miss a tutorial we posted recently, featuring another accomplished pro who explains depth-of-filed mistakes that will prevent photographs from reaching their full potential. Then he provides straightforward secrets for unlocking the power of selective focus.
