It has become common knowledge to associate camera filters with digital technology. That is, people have gotten used to using online applications to change the quality and tone of their shots; made even easier with the growth of mobile phone use. Still, those serious in pursuing a career in photography should understand the traditional aspects of the trade, particularly with choosing lenses. Listed below are the more common lens filters and their purpose.
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UV or Clear Filters: This is for any genre and is a useful lens for almost everything. This lens protects the front part of the camera from dust, dirt, moisture, and any potential scratches. Those interested in outside photography can appreciate the UV filter as well. These can be permanently mounted on the lens with minimum impact on image quality.
Polarizing Filter: Again another popular choice. This filters out polarizing light, which dramatically reduces reflections. It can also increase contrast and enhance colors.
Neutral density: This is best for landscape or flash photography. Neutral density filters reduce the amount of light entering the lens and decrease shutter speeds. This is ideal for situations that require a motion blur (e.g. waterfalls, rivers, moving people, etc.).
Color filter: This filter corrects colors and can be used for any form of photography. This used to be an extremely popular filter for film but is rarely used now for digital photography. This is because there are post-processing mediums that can be used to balance color shifts. However, it is still a good filter to keep in mind.
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These four filters are the more common ones used though there are still quite a number still out there. The beginner photographer is asked to experiment and do their own research regarding the matter.
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