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As featured in our Spring 2006 Catalog:

A Word About Filters
Huntington Witherill

Black and white contrast filters are a lot like bagpipes. They can be employed to great effect under just the right circumstances. But, in far too many instances they can virtually overwhelm the setting. Take desert photography for example. In my view one of the most compelling attributes of a desert landscape is the sense of vast physical distance and unrestricted space that one can experience when standing in an open desert. The important visual cue that causes us to sense that feeling of wide open space will most often be directly tied to the atmospheric effects of haze and dust that permeate the air. Introducing a strong red filter under this circumstance will only diminish the necessary visual cue by all but eliminating the atmospheric effects in the scene. And by subduing the atmosphere you will have effectively overwhelmed that all important sense of distance. Of course, filters can be a worthwhile addition to any photographer's list of tools. But just like the bagpipes, they should be reserved for all but the most appropriate moments. And if you're not completely sure that a filter is appropriate, it's best to leave it in your bag. My favorite filter is, most often, no filter at all.