I decided recently to buy a set of neutral density filters. I considered spending a good chunk of coin on some really nice filters, but while I was poking around looking for a set to buy I came across a set of 40 filters for cheap.

Now I’m not a fool. I know the 40 set of filters isn’t super high quality. They aren’t even made out of glass. However, that doesn’t mean that can’t get the job done.

I haven’t cracked out the neutral density filters, but I did take the red filter for a little trip around the backyard with everybody’s favorite model Naima.

At first look, you might be confused as to why the pictures of Naima below are black and white. You need to understand that colored filters are usually used with black and white photography.

What does a red filter do:

Red filters are a favorite among landscape photographers and are often used to add drama. In nature photography, a red filter will increase the contrast between red flowers and green foliage. A red filter will deepen a blue sky and make white clouds pop out. It can also decrease the effects of haze and fog. In some cases, depending on its strength, a red filter could even turn the sky black.*

Normally I would encourage people to always shoot in color (when shooting digital) and shoot in RAW. You can change color pictures to black & white in post production, but you can’t add color (yes, but you know what I mean) to a black and white picture in post.

However, these pictures are taken in the high contrast monochrome setting on my camera. Therefore it was taken in .jpg.

If you are using color filters in black & white photography I would not urge you to shoot the pictures in color, since you are going for an in camera special effect right out of the shoot.

These pictures were not edited in any way. These are straight out of the camera:

39 more filters to test. Or so.

*From exposureguide.com