one last question...sorry guys?

Question

ok so im the one asking all the questions on traffic trails

ive researched it a bit, and they're saying to use a filter over the lens, called a "gray ND (neutral density)" filter

i didn't know you could use a filter over a lens, or am i being crazy?

it apparently helps to bring out more detail when shooting at night with long exposures, when using black and white film photography

eeekkkk i think im over my head. any help?

Answer 1

I'm a bit of an amateur photographer, though my girlfriend is professional.. First up the best thing about a filter is that if you drop your cam replacing a filter is a lot cheaper then replacing your lens!! Also a filter helps with general lens protection...

Of course there are heaps of effects and manipulations that filters can add to your images. A red filter with black and white images is great.. I always have a polarising filter on...

Check this link for more detailed explanations of filters...

http://www.jr.com/Templates/Guides/lens+filters.tem?JRSource=nsa&nsa=1

Nice to hear of someone still appreciating film.. :)

Good luck!

Answer 2

The only reason you would use a neutral density filter at night is to increase the exposure time further. So your traffic trails will get longer. A neutral density filter blocks out some light, and it does it to an equal amount for all visible wavelengths of light (therefore it is neutral as far as color is concerned).
It doubt that it will bring out additional detail, unless the detail you are interested in is the blur of movement. It will influence the shadows as much as the lights, so I don't think it will help. But then I never used one for this purpose.
Normally you use a ND filter if there is more light than your camera can handle.

It is very common to use a filter over a lens and there are quite a bunch of different filters like polarizing filters and UV filters. It is actually recommended that you have a cheap filter like an UV filter in front of any good lens at all times. For then the filter and not the lens will get scratched if that happens. And the filter will be much cheaper to replace than the lens.

Answer 3

The more advanced cameras have threads on the end of the lens barrel that allow attachment of filters and other accessories. Check your camera to see if you can attach filters.

If yes, there are a variety of filters you can get to achieve different results. However, there are a number of different sizes (measured by diameter). You may have to take your camera into the store to get the correct size.

Yes, using filters is yet another complication of doing advanced photography. It takes a lot of reading, guidance, and experience to know what to use when. But you can get there!!

Good Luck