Do We Need Filters Anymore?

There are three types of filters to consider. The most important one is the polarizing filter, or the PL filter. This gives control over reflections from glass, water, other shiny and semi- reflective (but not as reflective as a mirror) surfaces, as well as from light scattered from the sky. And then there are neutral density filters, or ND filters. These filters are very helpful for shoots and scenes where there are extreme variations in brightness, such as a dark foreground with a very bright but cloudy sky. They can also help emphasize movement and motion by letting you set a long exposure, or in other words, a blurriness of sorts when someone or something moves quickly, such as when a soccer player is running and he kicks the ball. The last type of filter is the color filter. The effects of this filter can be simulated by digital processing, or editing. Therefore, they are not often used anymore except for when there is visible light that must be blocked, such as in UV or IR photography.