Novice photographers often make eight mistakes when using filters.

After shooting for a period of time, I often use different filters, such as polarizer and gradient gray. But sometimes I make some mistakes because I don't understand the usage and characteristics of various filters for the first time. Here are eight common mistakes made by novices in the use of filters. Welcome to read!

How to use the filter (1) that beginners often make mistakes: the gradient position is incorrect.

The gradient gray filter changes from dark to transparent, which allows you to balance the light ratio (for example, taking photos containing the sky during the day). When you use the gradient gray filter, always check the position of the gradient layer, especially after you change the angle or zoom, otherwise the light and dark position of the photo will look strange!

(B) gradient gray filter: the gradient is too obvious

There are two kinds of gradient gray filters, namely "hard transition" and "soft transition". You can choose to use different types at different times. Hard transitions are mainly used to shoot the sunrise and sunset on the coast, while soft transitions are usually used. However, when using two kinds of filters, we should also pay attention to whether the gradient layer is too obvious, so please use appropriate filters and types, and don't blindly pursue the number of filters or use too many blocks together.

There are two kinds of gradation: hard (left) and soft transition (right).

(3) Polarizer: used for (ultra) wide-angle mirrors.

Polarizers are very useful in landscape shooting, which can not only eliminate the reflection of water and green leaves, but also make the blue sky bluer. However, be careful, the blue sky turns blue in the other direction of the sun, otherwise it will have no effect. Therefore, if it is in a wide-angle lens (especially a wider ultra-wide-angle lens), the shooting range will extend from one side of the sun to the other, resulting in one end of the photo being very dark blue and the other end turning white (due to sunlight).

Pay attention to the position of the sun when using a polarizer on a wide-angle mirror.

(4) Polarizer: it will not reset after changing direction.

The polarizer needs to be adjusted before shooting. If you change from horizontal shooting to vertical shooting, you must readjust the polarizer to get the effect. Be careful!

(5) Adjustable reducing mirror: black cross appears.

At present, many manufacturers have also introduced "variable ND filter". The advantage is that you can adjust the dimming level at will according to the environment and needs, eliminating the trouble of carrying multiple nd filters. However, if the adjustment is too much, an ugly black cross will appear in the photo, so be careful not to exceed the adjustable range.

Excessive adjustment of the tunable ND filter may lead to a black cross.

(6) Do not keep the filter clean.

Most filters are installed in front of the lens, which has a direct impact on imaging. If your filter is full of grease, dirt or dust, it may cause problems such as unclear photos or stains, so remember not to neglect cleaning the filter!

(7) Use filters with poor quality

Many novices also covet to use poor quality filters. In fact, a good filter can be used for many years and take thousands of photos of you. Most of the filters with poor quality are not ideal in workmanship, transparency or coating color, which makes photos prone to color cast and decreased clarity. Moreover, due to the lack of effective coating, cleaning is not easy. Therefore, it is suggested that students start with a better filter when the budget is enough!

(eight) the use of the wrong size

Whether it is a circular or square filter, we also need to use it with different lens sizes. If the filter is too small, it may not cover enough. If the filter is too thick, black corners may appear when using a wide-angle lens. You should pay more attention before buying.