Diffusion for bright, snowy exteriors

[Andreas Eymannsberger]

As winter is coming ski tourism spots are amongst the go to jobs in Winter here in Austria. I am lucky to shoot a rather narrative one, probably on Leica Rs. As the Elmarits are rather sharp I am looking for some mild diffusion. Camera will be Amira or Mini with mandatory UHD capture.

 

Shooting outside in wintertime has brought me some problems with diffusion and I found Pearlescent (which I often like to use indoors) as well as ProMist to be unfit for the cause, the halation in bright areas is - of course - affecting snowy parts of images to a great extent.

 

Does anybody have experience using diffusion filtration in such areas (I guess salt deserts / bright beaches, etc. would also apply) and found a good solution?

[Albion Hockney]

The basic way those type of filters work leads to halation in highlights. If you don't want halation I'd try Low Con - you get some softness and lifted shadows, but a much more subtle/diffuse halation.

[David Mullen ASC]

If you want contrast reduction, then UltraCons and DigiCons halate less than LowCons.

 

If you want sharpness reduction with minimal halation, then I’d try Tiffen Black Diffusion/FX, after that, Schneider Radient Softs.

[Andreas Eymannsberger]

If you want sharpness reduction with minimal halation, then I’d try Tiffen Black Diffusion/FX, after that, Schneider Radient Softs.

 

Thanks a lot, I will look into testing these! I'm rather after sharpness reduction than overall contrast reduction.

Great help!