The Photographer's Guide to Using Filters (Paperback)

by Joseph Meehan (Author) "Photography is a part art and part science..." (more)
Key Phrases: nonchromatic filters, light modifiers, magenta filter, Absorbs Increase, Pro Soft (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Combining technique and creativity, this book provides data about the full range of filters and their applications with both colour and black and white film. Two hundred images illustrate how chromatic filters (coloured) change the colour content; nonchromatic (colourless) filters physically change light waves; and special-effect filters, such as multiple-prism, starburst and streak, create illusions that go beyond what we think of as visual reality.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Amphoto Books; Rev Upd Su edition (October 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0817454527
• ISBN-13: 978-0817454524
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #451,857 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

88 of 94 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not useful for me., January 28, 2000

By	Philip Fortier (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews

This book is useful if you want to take magenta pictures with a magenta filter, or blue pictures with a blue filter. On the other hand, the parts of the book dedicated to bringing out 'natural' light in photographs is small. It is mainly about creating fancy effects. A photography book should inspire you as you look through and see the photos. This book is full of shots with heavily over-used filtration. Not for me, but if you like more abstract photos, then you might like it.

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding, February 26, 2001

By	"tprupsis" (Schaumburg, IL USA) - See all my reviews

... I have always been overwhelmed by the seemingly infinite number of
filters available and used by professionals. This is the first
material I have ever found that not only explains the different types
of filters but also explores the science how they work. I now feel
more confident using filters and am better able to anticipate their
effects. Far from being focused on "special effects", this
book is a great reference for anyone looking to enhance their
photographs through the use of filters.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Filters Shmilters..., July 15, 2002

By	S. White (Sydney, NSW Australia) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I understand what the other reviewers have said about this book and agree that a good few images are heavily filtered to the point of extreme. On the other hand I think that this is necessary in the facilitation of understanding what effect certain filters can have when placed infront of the lens in different situations. More experienced photographers will be looking for the subtle and almost impercievable use of these wonderful photographic tools and I myself would have liked an emphasis on this area far more than on the bold approach. Nevertheless I feel that this is an excellent *general* work on filters and will be useful to the broadest possible audience.

There is some good technical information in here for beginners and intermediates who have little or no knowledge of filters and their uses. Meehan covers quite a bit of ground and does the usual stuff while he's at it. This is the stuff that photographers like myself see over and over again in almost every photography book which every photo book feels it necessary to reproduce over and over again adnausium. Some of the images in this book are excellent and the theory is right on, so if you are a photographer looking for a filter book that will rock your prospective bookshelf, maybe this isn't the book for you, but I have found it generally pleasing and it has it's place among my photo books without any complaints from me.