Black and White Filter Guide
 
 
 
Color Temperature of light sources

Filter Exposure Factor

Black and White Contrast control Filters

Conversion filters for color films

Light balancing filters

Neutral Density filters

Ultraviolet- Absorbing Filters

Infrared transmitting Filters

Color compensating filters

Safelight filters

Contrast Control-Printing Filters

Color Printing Filters

  Black and White Contrast control Filters

Black and White Contrast Control filters

You can use filters to lighten or darken various colors in a scene selectively. Using a filter similar in color to colors you wish to render lighter , or using a filter complementary in color to subject colors you wish to darken.

 
 
Subject Hue 
 
Filters that will Darken 
 
Filters that will Lighten 
 
yellow 
 
 
 
 
  Blue 
 
 
 
 
yellow 
yellow-green 
red 
green 
 
yellow-green 
 
 
 
  blue 
magenta 
 
 
yellow 
yellow-green 
green 
 
green 
 
 
 
 
  blue 
magenta 
red 
 
 
yellow 
yellow-green 
green 
cyan 
 
cyan 
 
 
 
  red 
 
 
 
green 
cyan 
blue 
 
blue 
 
 
 
 
  red 
green 
yellow 
yellow-green 
 
blue 
cyan 
magenta 
 
 
violet 
 
 
 
  green 
yellow 
yellow-green 
 
blue 
magenta 
 
 
magenta 
 
 
 
  green 
yellow-green 
 
 
blue 
magenta 
red 
 
red 
 
 
 
  green 
cyan 
blue 
 
red 
magenta 
yellow 
 
orange 
 
 
 
  green 
cyan 
blue 
 
red 
magenta 
yellow 
 
 The number in brackets () shows the corresponding Kodak Wratten filters.
The number in brackets [] shows the corresponding B+W filters.
 
UV- Colorless (0) [UV 010] 
 
 
 
The colorless UV filter prevents the lack of sharpness caused by UV radiation and reduces distant haze. Since there is no change in color or exposure , the filter is well suited for protection of each lens. Filter Factor: 1x 
 
Pale Pink. (1A) [KR 1.5] 
 
 
 
Due to its light pink color, reduses the blue cast of daylight, resulting a warmer picture tone. At the same time absorb ultraviolet radiation and reduces haze in the scene. It is also known as a skylight filter. Filter Factor: 1,1x 
 
Yellows
Pale Yellow (2A) 
 
 
Absorbs ultraviolet radiation below 405 nm. Used with B&W film to reduce haze. Filter Factor: Filter Factor:1x 
 
Light Yellow (2E) [021] 
 
 
 
 
Reduce the blue components in shadow, which enhances detail. Clouds are accentuated. In landscapes, produce a better separation of green tones, and at long distances once reduce haze. For portraits, this filter reduces freckles and red spots on skin and darkens blue eyes. Filter Factor: 1.5 
 
Medium Yellow (8) [022] 
 
 
Widely used for correct rendition of sky, cloud, and foliage in Black and White Photography . Filter Factor: 2x 
 
Dark Yellow [023] 
 
 
 
In landscape photography, this filter renders blue skies darker, clouds lighter and diminishes distant haze. Increases tonal separation in fine details. Useful for copying documents on yellowed paper Filter Factor: 3x 
 
Yellowish Green (11) [060] 
 
 
 
 
This filter is ideal for scenes where it is important to differentiate the green tonal values. The application is especially suited to landscape photography in the springtime because it enhances the light green color of the lives, and reduces distant haze. Ideal for portraits in nature. Filter Factor: 2x 
 
Oranges
Yellow-Orange (16) [040] 
 
 
 
 
This bright orange filter darkens blue and violet as well as green and yellow-green. It is indispensable for all landscape and architectural photography which require vivid and clear contour. The sky id distinctly toned with the clouds clearly contrasted against it. Also is popular for nude photography under natural light. Filter Factor: 4x 
 
Orange(21) 
 
Contrast filter used for blue and blue-green absorption. 
 
Deep Orange(22) [041] 
 
 
 
 
 
Contrast filter with greater green absorption than Orange . Dramatic 3-dimentional effects in landscape photography. Creates a strong darkening of the sky, dramatic storm-like cloud reproduction, and strongly enhanced shadows due to its enhanced contrast. It also achieves good tonal differentiations in still-life photography by brightening yellow, orange, and red. Not suited for portrait photography. Filter Factor: 4x 
 
Reds
Light Red(23A) 
 
 
Contrast filter with greater green absorption than Orange. Brighten red, orange, yellow-orange and yellow. They suppress purple, blue, green. 
 
Red(25) [090] 
 
 
 
 
Contrast effect in commercial and outdoor Black and White photography. In landscape photography increases contrast in cloud formation dramatically. Haze is reduced and white surfaces appear brilliant . In portraiture skin appears porcelain white. It is also used for tonal separation in still-life photography. Filter Factor: 5x 
 
Deep Red(29) [091] 
 
 
 
 
 
For better separation of tonal values from red to blue in object photography. Can produce moonlight effects in daylight due to the extreme darkening of sky. Gives a surrealistic effect in landscape and architectural photography, producing a storm-like and wood effect.It is indispensable for tonal separation in still-life photography and for the reproduction of documents which have become illegible.Filter Factor: 8x 
 
Blues
Light Blue(38) [080] 
 
 
 
 
Contrast filter with some ultraviolet and some red absorption. Useful for correcting tendency of reds to reproduce too lightly in tungsten illumination. It is also used to darken skin tones for portrait or nude photography under natural light. When photographing objects , there is better separation between red and blue tones. Filter Factor: 1.5x 
 
Blue [081] 
 
 
 
 
Stronger effect of the Light Blue. Enhances the tonal rendition of the sky by emphasizing mist in valley and transmitting light rays over water, fog, and haze. Also, this filter is used for the tonal separation in still-life photography and the correction of the light spectrum from artificial light source. Filter Factor: 2x 
 
Deep Blue(48A) 
 
Provides some green absorption and strong absorption in the yellow , red, and ultraviolet. 
 
Greens
Light Green 
 
 
Absorbs some blue and red. Lightens up yellow-green tones. It is the standard filter for landscape photography. Filter Factor: 2x 
 
Green [061] 
 
 
 
 
Stronger effect of the Light Green filter. This filter creates distinct differentiations of green tones in late spring and summer. It is also recommended for floral pictures that are used graphically, for tonal separations in still-life photography, and for correction of red tones in portraits with high-speed film. Filter Factor: 3x 
 
 





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