How Often Do You Use Filters To Improve Your Prints & Why?

[Pieter12]

We have already done that.

Not about contrast for VC papers, but the example of photographing Southwest landscapes with red sandstone and blue skies.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Not about contrast for VC papers, but the example of photographing Southwest landscapes with red sandstone and blue skies.

I have used R29, R25, R23, Orange, two Yellows, and Polarizers on red rock, but since I just ordered the Yellow-Green filter I do not have examples of that.

 

[Doremus Scudder]

Not about contrast for VC papers, but the example of photographing Southwest landscapes with red sandstone and blue skies.

I often like a green filter in these circumstances. It darkens blue sky like a yellow or yellow orange filter and gratifyingly darkens reds and oranges. Saturation isn't huge in red sandstone, but a green filter can often give a lot more separation to the striations in the rock. I use a Wratten 11 often and then a #58 if I want a sharper-cut filter.

Yellow and red filters will lighten the rocks; I usually want them darker.

Doremus

 

[Pieter12]

I often like a green filter in these circumstances. It darkens blue sky like a yellow or yellow orange filter and gratifyingly darkens reds and oranges. Saturation isn't huge in red sandstone, but a green filter can often give a lot more separation to the striations in the rock. I use a Wratten 11 often and then a #58 if I want a sharper-cut filter.

Yellow and red filters will lighten the rocks; I usually want them darker.

Doremus

I guess my question is, if both the rocks and sky are darkened equally how much separation is there?

 

[Doremus Scudder]

I guess my question is, if both the rocks and sky are darkened equally how much separation is there?

Knowing this is a bit difficult. There are two ways that approximate things, but often, you need to bracket with different filters.

The first is simply to look through the filter and see what happens. The filtering effect is most apparent with stronger filters, but you should be able to get some idea with both orange and green filters.

The second method is to meter through the filter and note the difference in exposure for different areas. The problem here is that meters and film have different spectral responses, so such readings can be misleading unless you do some tests and figure out which way your particular meter/film combination is off. Still it'll give you some kind of idea.

If you're not sure, try a couple of shots with different filters. After a while, you'll gain experience that will help you choose the filter you need for the effect you desire.

Best,

Doremus