In black and white images, this is going to be visible in the tones. Colour filters let through their colour and reflect their complementary colour. In black and white film photography, films (and sensors) are sensitive to all wavelengths of visible light. But, as black and white are devoid of colour, it still affects them. It would make the scene warmer as it concentrates on the reds and pinks in your scene. But what about black and white photos? Why would you use a red filter with black and white photography? You’d think it would add a red colour cast over the entire image.įor colour photography, you would be correct. So we know that colour filters can affect colour images. The disadvantage is that you cannot just remove the filter. You will not be limited by shutter speed or the darkness of the filter. Also, because the filter is dark, you have to focus before attaching it.īy shooting with a modified camera, you can be more creative. Due to this, you can only shoot with a much longer exposure time. When you have an IR filter on your front lens, none of the visible light reaches your camera sensor. This way, your camera will only process infrared wavelengths. You can do it with a cheaper camera body, or you can buy already-modified ones. You can buy these filters for your front lens, but you can even modify your gear to have an infrared camera. With dark sky and water or light clouds and leaves, your images will be less plane. Regarding your images, it means that you are going to get high contrast. This makes them lighter in black and white images when using an Infrared filter. Green colours reflect a lot of visible light. The idea is similar for black and white photography, except you do not see the colour shift. With colour photography, they turn green areas into pink. The result of these filters differs across colour or black and white photography. They do this while allowing infrared wavelengths of light to enter your lens. Infrared filters, or IR filters, reflect visible light. Its wavelengths are not visible to the naked eye. With advantages and disadvantages to both, there is no consensus on which shape is better. You can use a square filter with any lens, as the adapter can vary depending on the size of the thread. Square filters are attached to your lens by a holder. They need to be the same diameter as your lens front. Circle filters twist onto the front of your lens via a threaded mount. They do the same job, but they attach to your lens in different ways. What Are the Best Filters for Black and White Photography?įilters come in two different shapes circle and square.