Filter for Sunrise shooting in B&W.

I am planning a hilltop sunrise shoot this weekend…. Hopefully if the grey skies of Ireland will abate I might get a sunrise. I want to silhouette people against the sunrise etc. I’d welcome any other suggestions or tips.


My question is what filters would work best shooting directly into the sun with B&W film. Someone local suggested stacking a red and UV filter to me – this sounds a bit OTT. (vignetting would be a problem as filters are way larger than lens)

I reckon there are two likely conditions.

1) Misty Hazy sunrise fog in the valley as it rises.

Or miracles of miracles,

2) a clear brilliant sunrise warming up as it rise.

Any other suggestions would be most welcome.

Planned camera: Minolta Autocord TLR, with 52mm filters on a bay 1- 52mm adapter.
Film choices: Fuji Neopan 400 or Acros 100 – gearing towards Neopan as I can always stop down if it is a bright morning.

No need for filters; especially if you want silhouettes. If you were to use a filter, I would make it a cool one instead of a warm one, to add some tone to the warm areas of the sunrise on the print. You also might try a polarizing filter. It may be good, and may not be. It depends.

Please go to sing-ray's filters site and look at the reverse ND filter.

2F/2F said:

No need for filters

Click to expand...

I humbly agree. I never use filters for sunsets or sunrises and have always been pleased with my results.