Do you use filters on your DSLR?

Js.Aqua.Project · Nov 9, 2018

I shoot using a Nikon D5300 and was wondering if anyone is using filters help get better coral photos? Or if people are just setting the white balance and then post-processing to cancel out the blue.

I currently have a couple filters, like a Tiffen 8, and extension tubes to help get closer shots as I don't own a macro lens.

If you use a filter, what are you using?

BigJim · Nov 9, 2018

I rarely use them because I don't think it look natural. I will use them if I decide to take pictures under heavy blue leds, but I have never really been happy with them. I prefer to wait until the whites ramp up to take pictures.

PedroYoung · Nov 10, 2018

I use a Polaroid red filter when shooting under blues. It depends what color coral I am shooting too. Seems like green/yellows look kind of off (of course I have some color blindness there so who knows). I am not home much when my whites are on so most of my shooting is under the blue LED’s. My current new build has a hybrid fixture (LED/T5) and I will be interested to see how that changes my photography.

cromag27 · Nov 12, 2018

raw only. setting a custom white balance is tricky because you would really need to put the grey card under water next to the coral you’re shooting. even then, i’m not sure how water effects that.

PedroYoung · Nov 12, 2018

cromag27 said:
raw only. setting a custom white balance is tricky because you would really need to put the grey card under water next to the coral you’re shooting. even then, i’m not sure how water effects that.

I've tried that and it's super difficult to get a clean shot of the card without glare. All my shooting is in RAW and then a little tweaking in LightRoom. I'm actually taking some shots today with/without red filter under Blues then Whites. Will post results here later.

PedroYoung · Nov 12, 2018

Here are a few pics I took today under different conditions. By they way, I am by no means an accomplished or even experienced photographer. I just like to shoot and try different stuff and thought I'd share. I picked these Blondies since they had several colors that show differently under different lighting.

First shots under blue lighting.
With a Red Filter (Polaroid brand)

blondieredblues by Peter Young, on Flickr

Without Red Filter

blondienoredblues by Peter Young, on Flickr

Now, without filter and a little post processing (just adjusting color temp and toning down highlights to kill some glare)

blondienoredbluesprocess by Peter Young, on Flickr

Now under more "white" lighting. On AI Hydra 26 I'm running about 15% whites with about 40% blues.

With Red Filter

blondieredwhites by Peter Young, on Flickr

Without Red Filter

blondienoredwhites by Peter Young, on Flickr

Without Red Filter and a little post process.

blondienoredwhitesprocess by Peter Young, on Flickr

Understand these aren't what I'd consider great shots, took em pretty quick to mess around. I've found certain colors respond well to the filter and certain ones don't (really orange corals look super hyped and unreal like this acan Maxima)

maxima-3 by Peter Young, on Flickr

But some respond really well like this maui sunset chalice (it really looks like this under blue lighting)

mauisunset-3 by Peter Young, on Flickr

What I do like is that it requires almost no post processing, but I'm getting T5 lighting to go with the LED's on my new build just so I can trying something different.

saltyfilmfolks · Nov 12, 2018

Depending on the amount of blue you have a filter may help.

If the blue exceeds the amount your camera can handle at the highest white balance (usually 10,000k), you can get closer to a natural light look and depending on the post software you won’t have to push the gammut quite so hard to remove the blue. Doing that can pull colors you want somtimes or produce grain, plus mess with exposure and white and black points.

Best bet is orange (85a or b) and Ambers. They are on the opposite side of the spectrum fromblue. Depending on what color blue you have , royal blue , deep blue , or aqua , you may need slightly different filters as each color has a slightly diffent place on the spectrum and requires a slightly diffent opposite to filter. Ie royal blue is blue with a little violet so an filter with more red would be better, thus the amber.

Me I run my tank with pretty warm colors and can use the pics right out of the camera. D7000 and a lumix.

maroun.c · Dec 1, 2018

I just shoot in Raw and correct in Post Processing. Not.easy though with full actinics shots.

CalaverasCorals · Dec 25, 2018

What

PedroYoung said:
Here are a few pics I took today under different conditions. By they way, I am by no means an accomplished or even experienced photographer. I just like to shoot and try different stuff and thought I'd share. I picked these Blondies since they had several colors that show differently under different lighting.

First shots under blue lighting.
With a Red Filter (Polaroid brand)
blondieredblues by Peter Young, on Flickr

Without Red Filter
blondienoredblues by Peter Young, on Flickr

Now, without filter and a little post processing (just adjusting color temp and toning down highlights to kill some glare)
blondienoredbluesprocess by Peter Young, on Flickr

Now under more "white" lighting. On AI Hydra 26 I'm running about 15% whites with about 40% blues.

With Red Filter
blondieredwhites by Peter Young, on Flickr

Without Red Filter
blondienoredwhites by Peter Young, on Flickr

Without Red Filter and a little post process.
blondienoredwhitesprocess by Peter Young, on Flickr

Understand these aren't what I'd consider great shots, took em pretty quick to mess around. I've found certain colors respond well to the filter and certain ones don't (really orange corals look super hyped and unreal like this acan Maxima)
maxima-3 by Peter Young, on Flickr

But some respond really well like this maui sunset chalice (it really looks like this under blue lighting)
mauisunset-3 by Peter Young, on Flickr

What I do like is that it requires almost no post processing, but I'm getting T5 lighting to go with the LED's on my new build just so I can trying something different.