Filters can sometimes feel like unimportant and unnecessary things, but they have the power to make a big difference. Some are essential to getting the photo you have in mind and others are stylistic choices. These are the three that photographers use constantly.
I’ve been using filters on my lenses since the first day I started using them after being taught how to use the filter to protect the front element of the lens. However, over time, I see a need for them above and beyond the basics. The first filter I bought was a high-end neutral density filter to counteract the contrast of sunrise and sunset. However, the second time I needed another much more appropriate one.
I was photographing a car just for fun and as a beginner usually does, I have encountered results that I am not satisfied with. The reflection on the window is very distracting, but I removed it. When I received my first press pass to photograph a motorsport event, this was a problem I wanted to solve and so I purchased a CPL filter to remove reflections. This filter eventually became one of my staples, and I’ve used it in all sorts of different brands of photography, from commercial to landscape.
What filters are always in your camera bag and why? Share your main picks in the comments section below.
