Useing Colour Filters in Black and White Images
I have just purchased a few Colour filters for use in Black and White photography. To see what the effect that each colour filter has on the contrast of the image I will screw each 58mm filter in front of the lens on my HS10 using Zero Zoom.
First the filters I used.
The Image in Colour to see what the original colours were in the Black and White Image.
Now the same Image in Black and White with No Filter.
Now with the Red Filter.
Now with the Blue Filter.
And now the Yellow Filter.
And Lastly the Orange Filter.
That's all four used. As you can see that different effects on the grey scales have taken place.
The thing is deciding what colour to use for the right image, only more experimenting with live objects will tell.. Black and White photography is so exciting you can get the feel more of the situation, the mood and texture, which sometimes you can not get with colour. After all most animal it is said only see in Black and White
- Big Boy's blog
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interesting stuff. would never have thought of using colour filters with B&W. Subtle effects but still noticable.
wouldnt mind seeing more when you get different subjects.
good blog and very different.
I asked Torres if he saw only in B&W. He said 'woof'
web http://www.wix.com/waterdropphotos/tabletop
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Many years ago when I was working on BR I bought the only colour filter I've ever had - yellow - for my first 35mm camera. Got it for taking smoke & steam on b&w film!!
Dave!!
http://www.myfinepix.co.uk/competition/entry/395559
http://www.myfinepix.ru/gallery/110
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Interesting results with subtle changes. Makes for a great photoblog too.
Good idea.
Cheers
Steve
My gallery: http://www.myfinepix.ru/gallery/117
My Photoblogs: http://www.myfinepix.ru/blog/117
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The general rule for filters and black and white photography:
1. the color of the filter you put on the camera, everything in the scene which contains that color will be rendered lighter.
2. the complement of the color filter on the camera, everything in the picture which contains the complementary color will be rendered darker.
A yellow filter is usefull for darkening the sky and increasing the contrast with the clouds.
A Green filter can be usefull for improving the skin tones in outdoor portraits.
The effect of colour filters on B&W photography is as follows:
Red Lightens reds, darkens greens and especially blues.
Green Lightens greens, darkens reds and blues
Blue Lightens blues, darkens yellows.
Yellow lightens yellows, darkens blues, good for skies.
Orange Lightens yellows, oranges, reds. Can be usefull for brickwork and architecture/
Photoblog LYNTON STEAM RLWY
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A very interesting blog .Thankyou for sharingit with us.Well done.
Kathleen
Have fun, it shows in your photography.
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Very Interesting a subject which I already knew but its good to put it up here as a lot of people have asked how to do better B&W in Digital so this should help lots of people
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I didnt really think colour filters where in use anymore, I have a uv filter to protect the lens but I think all the colour filters can be replicated through PhotoShop. Its right what Michael says though, and they also correct white balance problems in colour shots. When converting Raw files to B&W in Camera Raw you have loads of colour sliders to play with to get some very dramatic effects.
Regards
Cesar and Dave
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Interesting and informative - what a a good blog should be.