Fog filters

Photo Journalism 4(1+3)
Lesson 9 : Types of Filters

Fog filters

A natural fog causes lights to glow and flare. Contrast is generally lower, and sharpness may be affected as well. Fog filters mimic this effect of atomized water droplets in the air. The soft glow can be used to make lighting more visible, make it better felt by the viewer. The effect of humidity in, say, a tropical scene can be created or enhanced. In lighter grades, these filters can take the edge off excess contrast and sharpness. Heavier grades can create unnatural effects, as for fantasy sequences. In general, however, the effect of a strong natural fog is not produced accurately by Fog filters in their stronger grades That is because they are too fuzzy, with too much contrast, to faithfully reproduce the effect of a thick natural fog. For that, Double Fog filters are recommended.

  • Double Fog filters have milder flare and softening characteristics than standard Fog filters while exhibiting a much greater effect on contrast, especially in the stronger grades. A very thick natural fog will still allow close-up objects to appear sharp. So will a Double Fog filter. They key to the effect is the much lower contrast combined with a minimal amount of highlight flare.

  • Pro-Mist® filters generally produce highlight flare that, by staying closer to the source, appears more as a "halo" than will the more outwardly extended flare of a fog filter. They create an almost pearlescent glow to highlights. The lighter grades also find uses in toning down the excessive sharpness and contrast of modern film and lens combinations without detracting from the image. Black Pro-Mist filters also create moderate image softening and modest-to-strong highlight flare, but without as much of a lightening effect on shadows.

x
No Filter
c
With Fog 3 Filter
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Last modified: Friday, 17 February 2012, 4:33 AM