Author: Samantha Chrysanthou, Darwin Wiggett
Price: $10.00
Format: eBook, interactive PDF format, 50 pages, 2 videos
Size: 65.3 MB
Requirement: Adobe Acrobat Reader 9.0, Adobe Flash 10 Player
Description
Think there’s no place for filters with digital nature photography? Think again! Darwin and Samantha share what they believe are the four essential filters every nature shooter should have in their arsenal to create evocative imagery. Loaded with tips, visual comparisons and instructional videos, Essential Filters for Digital Nature Photography demystifies the process of selecting, placing and using filters. Beginner shooters will benefit from this inclusive manual on filter use, and advanced shooters will improve their existing skills through refinement of technique. Darwin and Samantha demonstrate how to use multiple filters and help you build a filter system that works for your needs. Part of the acclaimed Fundamentals of Photography Series, this 50 page eBook is one of the most comprehensive, instructional resources available on the Web for photographers interested in improving their photography in the field.
If you are interested in using filters to improve your photography, compare the images below: Photo 1 was taken without any filters while Photo 2 reveals the benefits of using Darwin and Samantha’s filter methods in the field.
Note for MAC Users: MAC users tell us that PDF files sometimes open in the default MAC PDF reader, rather than Adobe Acrobat Reader. The default MAC PDF reader will not open the eBook properly and will not play our embedded videos. Please open these files with Adobe Acrobat 9.xx Reader and have Adobe Flash Player 10.xx installed for smooth video playback.
Advanced Filters for Digital Nature Photography
Photographing Intimate Landscapes
Mastering Composition and Design Series: Foundations
[...] For example, Darwin and I have just posted our latest eBook on Visual Wilderness entitled Essential Filters for Digital Photography. Filters continue to be a popular topic of interest at our workshops and seminars and yet many [...]
[...] something a little more serious and instructional about filters then check out our new eBook, Essential Filters for Digital Nature Photography over at Visual [...]
Interested in buying your ebook on essential filters, but need to make sure it is not based on the use of singhray filters which is not available in New Zealand.
Thanks
R
Hi Rosaleen,
While we do discuss particular filters, we tried to make the eBook a generic ‘how to’ on filtering: most of the filters we discuss are available in different brands. I was under the impression that you could order Singh-Ray filters online…?
Thank you Sam…………….yes one can but at our exchange rate, the filters are verrrrrrry expensive
plus postage, and depending on the amount, G S T and import duty.
I do have one though
the blue/gold circular, which I hardly used because of the “funny” colour cast UNTIL I came upon Darwin’s instructions somewhere on the www, and voila!!! Great images 
Which is why I am now a great fan of you guys LOL LOL. And of course I have been to Calgary and surrounds several times, my great friend lives there and my dd in Vancouver – also did a road trip from west to east – vancouver to Quebec……….would love to go into the northern territories.
Unfortunately the SR filter is a 58mm – my original Canon kit lens which I do nt use much as I have a 67mm Tamron 28-75 just about permanently on my canon. This of course breaks my heart not being able to use the SR more. I am also in the market for a 10-20mm lens – probably the Sigma although I have read good reports about the Tokina? – and am absorbing all the info on the images on your daily photos etc. Not sure what that lens size is.
I am now wondering if there is not a way I can do a swap somehow with the SR filter…………able to twist the company’s arm a bit
………. can u help?
Kiwi greetings
R
Hi Rosaleen,
In the eBook we discuss options of how to build a filter system that is adaptable to any lens you own. This would be especially helpful to read before you buy any new lenses because you want to get the right filters and filter system for your needs so you do not run into the problem you have now, that of having a filter the wrong size for the new lens you own.
I do not have ‘pull’ to be able to get Singh-Ray to trade your old filter for a new one. Sorry.
I have read good things about the Tokina lens too, but have never tried it. The Sigma 10-20 is decent, but not one of their best lenses, it is due for a new version to be released in my opinion.
Darwin
Thanks Darwin for the info. Bought your ebook very helpful, I do have the cokin system, need to get the hard grads though. A polariser which is just about permanently on all my lenses. But will look into circular polariser to fit cokin holder.
The SR was a present so I guess I will have to be happy with the old kit lens if I want to use it
I shouldnt be lens happy as we all know it is not the lens but the eye behind the camera LOL!!
You have me now confused, havent you been testing the sigma 10-20mm and seemed quite plsed with it? I cant afford a canon so which one do I go for? Or do I wait for a new version?
I enjoy your daily snaps immensely – I shiver with cold
I have the new Sigma 8-16mm lens and love it, very sharp and very cool, but it can not be filtered. Also I recommend the 17-50 f2.8 Sigma and the 24-70 f2.8 Sigma which are both outstanding but the 10-20mm Sigma is an older lens that is not as good as the new offerings from Sigma. Darwin
[...] The theme is Your Best of 2010 and, as a happy coincidence with the release of our eBook Essential Filters for Digital Nature Photography, the prize for this contest is Singh-Ray’s new Vari-N-Trio filter. To see what this filter [...]
I just wanted to recommend this book to anyone who has questions about what kind of filters/filter system will work best for them. I have been reading and shopping for filters etc. for months, and finally feel confident that I am buying what I need. This book answered all my questions … was really well put together and interesting to read. It was well worth buying.
Hi Jen, Thanks for the nice comment! Darwin
Hi Darwin and Sam!
I bought your Ebook and I learn a lot! I was wondering how should I take my exposure, before adding the filter or after? And where, on the land or the sky?
And have you heard of the reverse ND graduated filters made by Singh-Ray? It sounds great, what do you think of them?
I enjoy and read your post regularly, thank you both!
:):)
Anne
Hi Anne,
Glad you liked the eBook. As far as exposure, put all your filters in place and then make the exposure. Check your histogram and make sure you are biasing your exposure to the right side of the histogram without clipping highlights.
The reverse grad is a great filter and works best for prairies, for deserts and seashores with wide-angle lenses.
Darwin
Thank you for your precious advice, Darwin.
Anne
hello
i just downloaded the Essential Filters for Digital Nature Photography
i am sure it will be a great lesson fro me to learn
i am a novice in computer and i only see the pdf version i do not see the video can you help…
thanks
Sonam
[...] Many people are surprised that I still use filters for landscape photography. But two facts remain. First some filters like polarizers create effects in-camera that simply can’t be replicated by software. And other filters like ND grads help me get better in-camera captures so that I spend less time in post-production. Below are a couple of samples of photos show without and with filters to illustrate just how much filters can improve landscape photography. To learn more about the essential filters for landscape photography be sure to check out my Visual Wilderness eBook on Essential Filters. [...]
I am interested in your ebook, however, it requires adobe flash for the video. I only read my books on my ipad, therefore I will not be purchasing until you are able to support that format. Do you have plans for that?
Hi Ilene,
We do not have any immediate plans to convert the eBooks into a format that is supported on the iPad. In any case, the videos are supplementary and not essential; there is a lot of excellent information in the Essential Filters eBook even if you do not watch the videos!
[...] Creative Digital Nature Photography – Our best selling eBook over at Visual Wilderness is the Essential Filters for Digital Photography eBook. This is because shooters know that some filter effects just can’t be replicated in [...]
I am planning to buy a singh ray LB ColorCombo filter. I have used B+W CPL but this is going to be my first big investment in more expensive accessories. Which mount would you recommend (standard mount or thin mount)?
For the next few months, I am planning to invest more in buying a filter holder and few ND filters with diff f-stops. I am considering Cokin Z-Pro and Lee holders and buy Singh Ray filters. Will these filter holders with proper adaptor rings screw to by LB color combo which I plan to have it attached with my lens most of the time. Please advise.
thanks,
Raj
Hi Raj,
Personally I would not buy the LB colorcombo filter in screw mount. You will have a painful time attaching a Lee of Cokin Z-Pro holder to the filter (which would need to be in standard mount BTW to have treads on the front of the filter). Plus on wide angle lenses the combo of the colorcombo with a filter holder on the front will likely vignette. Just get a Lee holder or Cokin Z-Pro holder (I prefer the latter) and buy a sprocket-size LB polarizer to fit in the holder. Then it is fast and easy to move the polarizer in and out of the holder and stack with other filters. Also you won’t have vignetting issues.
Darwin
Darwin,
Thanks so much for your help. Right now Cokin Z pro is out of stock from B&H. I will wait and get it once it becomes available.
Thanks again,
Sreenath
Hi Darwin, I just completed 18 days with your friends Kah Kit and Winnie in New Zealand. It was intense and amazing; especially watching how Kah Kit hold and used the SR Grads up and down in front of the lens during long exposures.
None of the filter holder group except myself was using the Cokin; all used the Lee, had rings on all of their lenses and the ability to move the holder from lens to lens with ease has caused me to purchase a set of rings and the holder too.
Having said G’Day (I am from the USA living in Australia) my question pertains to polarizers:
I shoot with a 5D2 – the jury is still out on either a 5D3 or a 1Ds4. The 16-35 with the Lee and two filters will not vignette. The Lee with even a thin Hoya polarizer will vignette. The alternative is to get the Heliopan 105 PL and add it to the front of the Lee holder.
Your thoughts between using Hoyas (82 on my 16-35 and 77 on my 24-105 and 70-200) and using a Heliopan 105?
The difference in price: From http://maxsaver.net/Hoya-Polarizer.aspx – approx $300 for the three filters; From Adorama for the Heliopan $414. Price isn’t the decider.
Thanks, Jay
Here is the Simple answer, just get a Singh-Ray LB Warming drop-in in Z-size and it will slide into the first slot of your Lee holder and won’t vignette at all. that way you can easily add a grad or an ND filter. Forget buying screw-in filters unless you plan to hand-hold grads like Kah-Kit does. Easy in warm weather, not so easy at -30 degrees! Darwin
Thanks Darwin. Now I have to convince SR that they should also produce a neutral PL in the “Z” size or I will still have to use screw in neutral PLs and my purpose is defeated. I do not want to be forced to always use a warming PL. PS: I do not plan to be living or shooting in -30 degrees; ever!
Hi guys,
I bought our book and found it most helpfull.
The only pitty is the important information I hoped to find, was not in there.
Maybe you can help me solve it. When I use my ND-Grad I allways have difficulty finding the proper exposure. I mostly use aperture-priorety, but very often find my images being still to bright or the camera suddenly compensates for the grad I hold infront of the lense.
How do you find the correct exposure, before or after inserting the grad, using manuel mode, etc?
Any help from experienced people will be welcome.
Thanks,FJ
Hi FJ,
Exposure is a whole separate topic (enough for another eBook!) and thus we did not cover it in the filter eBooks. The short answer is we used aperture priority and matrix or evaluative metering (Nikon and Canon respectively). We place our polarizer and grad filter in place and then let the camera take a meter reading. We make an exposure and look at the histogram. If the exposure needs adjusted (e.g. exposure to the right) we use the the exposure compensation dial. If the grad filter is too strong, we use a different one based on the histogram and look of the photo on the LCD.
Darwin
Thank you very much for your answer Darwin,
it seems as if I am on the right track, but still have practice a lot. Until now I have been handholding the grads and it seems a bit to much for my brain to keep track of the correct placement of the gradline, exposure, not bumping the Grad against the lense …
I definitely have to get a filterholder!
As you use the Cokin holder, is it possible to change the polarizer in the sprocket ring? Say, I have a Heliopan filter which I would like to use (assuming it has the right size) with the cokin holder, instead of an new and not so cheap singh-ray filter, will it work?
regards Frederik
I am not sure what you mean by “is it possible to change the polarizer in the sprocket ring?” Do you mean take another brand of polarizer and insert it into the sprocket ring? Or do you mean something else? Let me know so I can help you with your question.
d
Hi Darwin,
I`m sorry, this must be because I think in a different language then I write.
What I wanted to say is as you correctly presumed:”take another brand of polarizer and insert it into the sprocket ring”
FJ
I do not know the answer, I have not tried this. The chances of it fitting in the sprocket ring are small but you never know….
d
Thank you Darwin!
Lots of good light and beautiful clouds.