I really need to learn more about filters

[bonk]

What is a good ressource about how to use filters? Maybe there is a good book or something out there? I want to learn when to use what filters in IR, B&W and color photography.

 

[Sparky]

There are TONS of books out there. Some more technical, some more 'conversational' and easy. I probably learned most of what I know from the latter type to begin with - i.e. ansel adams' the Camera...

 

[bonk]

I suppose his book doesn't cover IR photography or Color ?

 

[Nick Zentena]

No the camera is basically B&W.

Colour filters? Light correction to match room lights or daylight to the film. Warming/cooling filters for effect.

The B&W website used to have a large document explaining the various filters they make. Included was a little chart for light temp correction. Not much marketing talk.

 

[Sparky]

Well - with color it's a BIT of a different story... it will simply 'color' your result... i.e. a CC10M will add 10 magenta - about the amount of cast you see... however keep in mind some films are more or less sensitive to different colors and you really just have to get to know 'your film'.

With IR - I believe there's a bunch of stuff available on the web. It's pretty basic stuff though. The essential problem is that most light meters don't really compensate for IR - if they can read it at all... so you really have to go with more of a sunny-16 type rule - except modified for IR. And it really helps to understand the characteristics of IR light - i.e what reflects/emits it - and what doesn't. Basically it's a contrastier light that normal visible light. And some cameras (i.e. bellows sometimes - like paper) can be very leaky when it comes to IR.

Since IR light is longer wavelenght - there's a corresponding focus shift you need to attend to. Most small camera lenses have an IR index showing the amount of offset you need to give according to what you see in your viewfinder...

but anyway - this is all sort of off topic... and something you can find out from MUCH BETTER sources than me... guess I'm just avoiding doing taxes...!!!

 

[percepts]

just go here and download the pdf's and then read them. Most of what you want to know will be there. Then use your imagination.

simple colour theory is

RED filters out CYAN and visa versa
GREEN filters out MAGENTA and visa versa
BLUE filters out YELLOW and visa versa

cut off of wavelengths for most filters is not sharp so colours either side of colour being filtered are also filtered to a greater or lesser extent depending on filter.

 

[ben-s]

I posted a little demo of the effect of common IR filters here:
(there was a url link here which no longer exists)
Hope it's of some use

 

[somak]

You can have a look at this book....
http://www.amazon.com/Photographers-Guide-Filters/dp/0715314009

 

[pentaxuser]

I can't recall if Lee Frost's book on filters covers all your needs but I found it very comprehensive and easy to follow.

pentaxuser

 

[Shmoo]

Kodak also used to print a small booklet that had some great examples in it. It's an older book, so you might try a used book store/website.

 

[Andy K]

Found a useful 'before and after' site:

http://www.geocities.com/COKINFILTERSYSTEM/theguide.htm