Landscape Photography - Do We Need Filters Anymore?

My thoughts on using Polarising filters, ND Grads and ND filters with all that digital technology offers these days. I discuss Hi-tech, Nisi and Lee filters.

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Some kit used/seen in this video. These are affiliate links.

[Brock_in_the_North]

I agree, a lot of photographers say you can do all this in post processing but I enjoy the craft of creating an image in the field and not messing around in lightroom or other editing software afterwards

[JulianBaird]

Could't agree more on the use of filters. I much prefer being outside shooting than stuck in front of the computer. I've used Lee Filters for years and I've never had to replace any of them. Great video.

[robertdavis]

Thanks for sharing your experience with great comments....as a hobbyist I just love taking pics & being out in the fresh air...I don't do any post processing other than just lighten or darken a photo & some minimal cropping.... great video... cheers from Australia 🦘🦘😊

[jameshurren]

For a second there, I was pumped I didn't need to spend hundreds of dollars on ND filters. But it's true! There's no greater joy than seeing the results right there out in the fresh air. I've been using resin filters for a while, but am now looking around for a top notch replacement.

Thanks for making fantastic videos Thomas. Really good stuff.

[AlessandroTorri]

Nice video
Like someone said, not every use of ND or GND filters is exactly replicabile on the PC
So I love your attitude: more time on the field, less behind a PC

[SebastienDegardin]

ND filters can be useful is you want to shoot wide open in bright daylight. not sure you can replicate that with digital technologies.

[KevinOutdoors]

Your explanation at about 3:20 completely puts words to why I watch your channel! Good Job!

[JamesClark]

Huge respect for constructively criticising the free filters you received. It's a rarity to hear an honest opinion of a product when it's been gifted to the user (especially on YouTube!!).

[magnusdagbro]

Hi Thomas! Just want to point out that laying the filters flat on a table greatly exaggerates any minor differences between two different filters, since the light passes twice through the ND.

The Nisi filters should also be around 10% brighter from the start because of the multicoating (but this would affect both the clear part and the ND part equally)

[stephenquinn]

Another thumbs up for the hitech firecrest filters.

[christophergrove]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! The muzak... i just fell off my chair! Thanks for your imput on the filters, Thomas.
Regarding the polarizer... there HAVE been instances where sliding the "DeHazing" slider has been astonishingly similar to a polarizer... drilling down past the reflection on the surface of a lake... it floored me. Not as well as the muzak floored me but, yeah. 😉

[eldiabolico]

You are right about NiSi, I returned them and got instead the Lee Big & Little Stoppers. Try the Formatt Hightech Firecrest, very durable with the actual pigment between 2 crystal layers and NO COLOUR CAST at all. Very happy with them :)

[Xetenor]

Hey thomas love your videos! You take us long with you on your journeys and show us the real truth of photography. That's what matters; showing us the real deal.

I always try to learn things and am pleased to say that ive learned a good amount watching your channel. Please keep it up! Inspires me to go out and shoot more!

[Andrew_marr]

I saw the title of this video and right away started mentally preparing my response about time spent in front of a computer verses time on location. However no need, you provided a far better explanation, and with backing music! Great video Tom, I use Lee Filters myself, great quality. It’ll be interesting to see what you create with the 15 stop filter. I have the 6 stop and 10 stop filters and occasionally double them up to get 16 stops, fantastic for moody images.

[scenicspartan]

Couldn't agree with you more on everything you said from 2:45 to 3:44. That is exactly why I love photography.

[Matttchew]

I am a not a photographer in the least bit. I do enjoy taking pictures though. I just want to keepsake moments of my life. So, I bought a few cameras. I appreciate your videos because they help me understand how to take pictures appropriately. Comparatively, when I got a job driving a truck, I knew other truck drivers could tell right away that I was new. I've learned so much from my own mistakes and from other drivers over all these years. So, likewise, I think there is value in a poorly taken photo, like many of mine that I have no clue are any good. I like them, but I'm sure there is room for improvement. For me, they are my examples. So, now that you've shared info about filters, I can begin to look areas that need improvement, and apply an appropriate technique, such as a filter. I can put sunglasses on my camera lens to see the image more clearly.

[NickPage]

excellent video and Edit Thomas. Very nice touch with the mood music in the Tape player just out of frame :)

[Armistice]

Since watching your videos, I'd convinced myself that I need to get some filters. This is only due to the fact that I love to do as much in-camera as possible as well. My photoshop workflow only consists of tweaking the levels, saturation, and contrast. Fairly easy. I like that you can compose your shot, drop a filter, take a pic, and then see what you got rather than waiting until you"re home messing with it

[RichardDiCesidio]

I use Nisi V5 holder with Nisi polarizer, and Haida GND and ND. Super Happy with all.

[mazennabulsi]

yes, Lee is the best at present .. durable, true, and no color cast ... i love your videos. theyre so interesting and informative ....