Which filters to use?

[Ashley Barron]

Hi there,

 

Besides NDs and Grad filters for the sky, what are good filters to use when shooting exteriors? I will be shooting in LA mid-November. Most of the story is set in day, but there will be one scene in an alleyway at night.

 

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

[Chris Keth]

Hi there,

 

Besides NDs and Grad filters for the sky, what are good filters to use when shooting exteriors? I will be shooting in LA mid-November. Most of the story is set in day, but there will be one scene in an alleyway at night.

 

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

What format? What look?

 

You'll at least want NDs (an ND.3 through a ND1.2 in 1 stop increments) and a pola.

 

If it's film and you're using your interior stock, you'll probably want an 85.

 

If it's with a RED you'll want NDs that cut infrared- ND.3 through 1.2, maybe even a 1.5.

 

You may want the look of some type of diffusion, especially for digital formats. I really like black promists and classic softs, but there are many, many options.

 

I often like a little warming filter like an 812 for day exteriors. It's light, but makes a world of difference on skintones.