Warming Filters come in different strengths and are otherwise known as 81A, B, C and EF according to strength. As their name suggests, warming filters are particularly useful for enhancing skin tones in portraits or for counteracting the cold, blue light of flash or the winter outdoors.

A Cokin 81C filter warms the winter afternoon light on a bridge in Malmsbury, Victoria

Warming Filters come in different strengths and are otherwise known as 81A, B, C and EF according to strength. As their name suggests, warming filters are particularly useful for enhancing skin tones in portraits or for counteracting the cold, blue light of flash or the winter outdoors.

One of the most attractive forms of light is late afternoon and morning light but it is short lived at the best of times. It is a warm toned light used often in fashion, weddings and outdoor portraiture.

Its appeal is purely psychological as humans are naturally attracted to warmth over cold. An 81 or “warming” filter endeavours to add this quality to your photographs, but again, discretion is required.

One of the most effective uses for this kind of filter is during those times when the light it endeavours to replicate is actually present – namely morning and afternoon. The long shadows subconsciously indicate the time of day and the filter enhances the quality of the light. N

ormally, during these times of day, the warmer colours of the spectrum last longer as they are able to travel further through the atmosphere. In winter, clouds often prevent this phenomenon and a warming filter can overcome this to some degree.

The discretion required is twofold. First of all, if the warmth is too strong, your photograph can look contrived. If it is used in the wrong photograph it can negate its use altogether. For portraits, minimum strength is required. You would not want to use anything more than an 81B at most. Any greater warmth would certainly “cook” the subject and it would appear as if he or she had spent the last year under a sunlamp. Creating the look ‘in camera’ to the degree possible should still be the aim of any photographer, film or digital. Working with filters is a time honoured means of doing so.

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Entry was posted on Friday, December 1st, 2006 at 2:48 am under Tutorials, Tutorials - filters.

Read more entries by Shelton Muller.