The Basics of Camera Filters

If you are just a little techno-savvy you most likely know how important camera filters are for any discerning videographer. There are most cases where newbies fail to utilize them perhaps because they don’t really know the positive impact they can have on their work. Camera filters will add a special effect to any videos you are taking and the end product will be a dramatic improvement not only in the look but the feel of the production as well. You only need to take a few lessons to clearly understand how you can use filters and you will see a great change in just about any scene you can think about.

The good thing about camera filters is that you can easily employ trial and error techniques until you finally gain their mastery and the kind of effect you are looking for.

The basics: You need a matte box in order for you to attach a filter to your video camera; this is a gadget that screws to the lens of your camera on one end so that it can hold the filter; these days there are models that can easily hold several filters but you can be sure that those will be a little bit expensive. Since there are cameras that will not take matte boxes, you will be better off going for the type of filter system that is designed for still cameras if your video camera will not take the professional matte box. Always make sure the filter you purchase can easily be raised or lowered in front of the lens and that it can rotate properly.

Types of filters: There are different types of camera filters that are available for your video camera but the most common types are three: the polarizing filters, Neutral density filters and graduating filters.

Polarizing Filter, This is perhaps the first filter everyone should get because it actually acts as a glare blocker; this acts like a set of polarized sunglasses for your camera. It introduces darker, richer and fuller colors while reducing glare in everything you are looking at while at the same time enhancing natural colors when you are working in sunny conditions.

Neutral density filters: This allows you to make any scene denser and darker without distorting the natural colors; use this when you need to darken any scene uniformly. You may want to use when you need to darken a stark light or you are out in the gardens and you realize the sky is too bright.

Graduating Filter: The graduating filter on the other hand gives you different filtering levels because they can move from clear glass to full intensity; with this filter there is no end to what you can deliver with your video camera.