Tiffen Camera Filters manual Filters for Black and White Imaging, Tone Control Filters

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The number of directions that lines run in determines the number of points produced. Lines in one direction produce a two-pointed star, just a streak through the center of the light. There are 4, 6, 8, 12 and more points available. With an 8 or 12 point filter, the many star lines will tend to overpower the rest of the image, so use them carefully. Although the more common types have a symmetrical arrangement of points, they can also be obtained with asymmetric patterns, which tend to appear more "natural," less synthetic. Examples of these latter types are the Tiffen Vector-,Hyper-,North-,and Hollywood Star filters.

As with any filter that has a discrete pattern, be sure that depth of field doesn't cause the filter lines to become visible in the image. Using small apertures, or short focal length lenses make this more likely, as will suing a smaller film format, such as 16mm vs. 35mm given an equal field of view. Generally, mid-range apertures or larger are sufficient, but test before critical situations.

FILTERS FOR BLACK AND WHITE IMAGING

Tone Control Filters

Black and white imaging records only tonal differences between colored objects, which appear as black, white, or different shades of gray. Proper rendition depends on your own desires, and, for film, the differences between film sensitivity to colors and that of the eye. The latter is due to the fact that most panchromatic emulsions used are more sensitive to blue, violet and ultraviolet than to other colors. Therefore, blue appears as lighter on film than it does to the eye. This can make a blue sky light enough to appear a similar shade of light gray as the clouds that are in it, making the clouds "disappear." A more "correct" cloud presence is obtained through the use of a yellow filter, such as a Wratten #8, which can absorb blue light, darkening the sky to more closely match what the eye would see. The #8 also acts as a general compensator for most subjects, giving a tonal rendition similar to that of the eye. Deeper colors, further to the red end of the spectrum, such as Wratten #15 deep yellow, #16 orange, and #25 and #29 red filters will produce progressively deeper and artificially more dramatic renditions of blue sky.

Remember that, since these filters act on color differences to produce tonal differences, the required colors must be present. The part of the sky you are recording must be blue to be affected. Sky sections closer to the sun, or nearer the horizon, are generally less blue than elsewhere. Use of a gradated neutral density filter can darken a sky relative to the foreground, but will not increase contrast between a blue sky and the clouds. In most situations where color-contrast and tone adjustment is involved, these filters work similarly for black-and-white video as for film.

Using filters for contrast control can be a matter of artistic preference, or of necessity. It is possible for two disparate colors, say a certain orange and blue, to record as the identical tone, eliminating any visible difference between them. Filters will lighten objects of their own color and darken those of their complement. Complementary color pairs are: green-red; orange-blue; violet-yellow. An orange filter in the above case will

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CAMERA FILTERS © Ira Tiffen

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Contents Camera Filters Filter Factors Camera FiltersIntroduction Filter PlanningInfra-Red Filters Filter GradesCamera Filters for Both Color and BLACK-AND-WHITE Ultraviolet FiltersColor-Grad Graduated ND Filters Polarizing Filters General Information Special Effect FiltersDiffusion Filters Camera Filters Ira Tiffen Fog, Double Fog and Pro-Mist Sliding Diffusion FiltersStar Effect Filters Contrast Control FiltersTone Control Filters Filters for Black and White ImagingLight Balancing Filters Filters for ColorColor Conversion Filters Decamired Filters Color Compensating FiltersColor-Grad Gradated Color Filters Mixed Lighting SituationsDidymium Filters Coral FiltersSepia Filters FilterLL-D Underwater Color Correction FiltersClose-up and Split-Field Diopter Lenses Special Application FiltersContrast Viewing Filters Day-For-NightSecondary Reflections Effect of Depth of Field and Focal Length ChangesSizes, Shapes, and Mounting Techniques Multiple Filter UseCustom Homemade and Field-Ready Filters Camera Filters Ira Tiffen