Camera filters and how to use them

There are some people out there who think that using camera filters is cheating. But there are numerous occasions when a lens filter can and should be used to improve your photograph and ensure it is captured correctly.

What we see with our eyes is different from what we can capture in camera, and the camera is in some ways far more limited than the human eye but superior in others.

So, in this article, we give you a rundown of the three most useful camera filters and how to use them correctly and creatively.

1. Polarising filter

The polarising filter is often considered to be the king of all filters.

It’s certainly the one we use the most, and rarely off our lens. It’s probably the only filter that cannot be replicated in Photoshop or other photo editing software.

What does a polarising filter do?

A polariser’s principal function is to control the direction of polarised light. It allows light waves oscillating in a particular direction to pass through while blocking or reducing light waves oscillating in other directions.

In simpler terms, it blocks unwanted light rays often caused by reflections on non-metallic surfaces such as water, glass or wet leaves. Blocking this reflected light reduces glare and darkens otherwise bright areas.

Benefits of using a polarising camera filter

1. Boost colour and contrast

A polariser can enhance the vibrancy of colours and increase the overall contrast in a scene.

Reducing glare caused by reflections allows a subject’s colour and detail to become more visible, resulting in a more vibrant and captivating photograph.

This is particularly effective when photographing trees, leaves and vegetation, especially when wet.

2. Darkening skies

One of the most common uses of a polariser is to darken blue skies. This adds definition to clouds and helps them stand out against the sky.

3. Eliminating reflections on water

A polariser is commonly used to control or eliminate light reflected on the surface of water, particularly on lakes, rivers or the sea.

You can use it to darken the water’s surface when it’s too bright and remove unwanted reflections.

4. Enhancing reflections on water

A lesser-known use of a polariser is enhancing reflections. When turned fully, it removes reflections entirely. However, rotating it back slightly can reduce glare enough to make reflected colours and details much bolder and sharper.

How to use a polariser

There are two types of polarising camera filters — linear and circular. Circular polarisers can be rotated on the lens to vary the strength of the effect.

The effectiveness varies depending on the angle of the light source relative to the camera. These filters work best when shooting at a 90‑degree angle to the sun.

2. ND (neutral density) filter

A neutral density filter is a darkened piece of glass that reduces the amount of light entering the lens.

In short, it tricks the camera into thinking the scene is darker than it actually is, allowing for creative exposure control.

What is an ND filter used for?

ND filters are primarily used to force longer exposure times or wider apertures in bright conditions without overexposing the image.

Creative long exposures

Landscape photographers use ND filters to blur moving clouds or flowing water such as rivers and waterfalls.

During daylight or bright conditions, achieving long exposures without overexposure is impossible without an ND filter.

ND filters are measured in stops. Reducing light by one stop halves the amount of light reaching the sensor.

For example, a 10‑stop ND filter can turn a 1/60 second exposure into approximately 16 seconds.

Using wider apertures

ND filters also allow photographers to use wider apertures in bright light, reducing depth of field for portraits or macro photography.

They can also be used to introduce controlled motion blur in action or sports photography.

3. ND grad filters

An ND grad filter is partially darkened, allowing you to reduce light in only part of the frame — typically the sky.

This helps balance exposure in scenes where the sky is much brighter than the foreground.

ND grads reduce the scene’s dynamic range, allowing cameras to capture detail in both highlights and shadows.

They come in different strengths, commonly up to three stops, and can be stacked if needed.

Different graduation types

1. Hard grad

A hard grad has a sharp transition between light and dark areas, ideal for flat horizons such as seascapes.

2. Medium grad

A medium grad offers a gentler transition and works well for uneven horizons like hills or city skylines.

3. Soft grad

Soft grads have a very gradual transition and are best for scenes with irregular horizons, such as forests or cityscapes with tall buildings.

Camera filters still have their uses

Although digital techniques like exposure blending are increasingly popular, filters still offer significant advantages.

They allow photographers to achieve the desired result in a single shot, saving time and effort while providing immediate feedback.

Specialist camera insurance through Ripe

Heading out to experiment with your new camera filters? You may want to protect your camera and accessories through specialist camera insurance.

Get an online quote today.