Filters for B&W Photography

Here's a photo tip on using filters for black & white photography. Although you can use channel mixer in PhotoShop to bring out different colors in a B&W image, you always want to get the best picture, in camera, so you might want to try using some different filters. Filters lighten their own color and darken their complement. So, a red filter would lighten reds & pinks while darkening greens & blues. Yellow accentuates cloud structures by darkening blue areas of the sky & green lightens foliage & adds ruddiness to redish skin tones. Darker filters, of course, produce stronger colors than lighter ones & if you underexpose a little, the colors are exaggerated. A rather inexpensive way to get into using filters is to purchase the Cokin filter system. You can find info on these, & other filters, at places like B&H Photo, Adorama, etc. In addition to the normal UV & colored filters, there are also filters which can add various artistic effects to your photos. I usually purchase most of my photographic items at B&H in New York. I've found them to be very reliable & they have free shipping on some items. In fact, if you're a member of NAPP, shipping is free on all items. Have fun experimenting with filters.