In black and white photography, colored filters are used as a creative tool to alter contrast in images. By selectively filtering light by color you can control what tones are lightened and darkened in an image. Let's discuss use the orange filter in your black and white photography.
Instructions
1. First choose the appropriate size orange filter for the lens you will be shooting with. The size, in millimeters, of the filter needed should be marked on the body of the lens; if not, consult the documentation for your lens. Filter adapters may also be used if the filter size is not a perfect fit for the lens.
2. Once you have purchased the orange filter, install it on your lens. The filter has threads that match the threads on the end of the lens. Carefully screw the filter on to the end of your lens and seat it firmly. Do not over tighten the filter, as it will be difficult to remove later.
3. Compensate for the filter. The filter will cut down on the amount of light reaching the film or sensor, so you will have to adjust your exposure to factor this in. How much you will have to compensate will change from filter to filter. Filters will be marked with a value indicating how many stops to compensate. If a "filter factor" is given, such as "4x", compensate by 2 stops, "2x" would then be a factor of 1 stop. If the value is listed as "+1", simply compensate by the number of stops after the plus sign, in this case 1 whole stop.
4. Photograph the proper subjects with the orange filter. Orange filters will darken a blue sky more than a yellow filter, and this is often why they are used. However remember that an orange filter will also lighten orange values. When shooting a subject such as fall foliage, which contains a large amount of orange, this may not be the effect you are looking for. The rule for colored filters is that they darken their complementary colors and lighten their own color.
