How to Use Filters for Portraits

Alter how your image looks with a different filters.

Anyone can take a few pictures for a portrait, but it takes skill and creativity to really make the images pop. Use filters on your camera to add a different effect to the image, ranging from an out-of-focus border to starbursts on lights. Experiment with different filters on your camera's lens to capture the best image possible.

Instructions

1. Check the lens size on the camera. The lens size is printed along the side in millimeters. This is the size of filter required by the camera. All other filter sizes are not going to mount onto the lens.

2. Place the filter onto the lens and twist it to the right. This secures the filter to the lens.

3. Set the camera on a tripod and press the "Capture" button on the camera. The tripod prevents the camera from shaking while recording the image.

Tips & Warnings

• Determine the desired effect. If the removal of haze and exceptional color is desired, select a UV/Haze filter. A soft-focus filter has a blurred ring around the edge of the filter, so only subject matter in the middle of the lens appears in focus. A star-burst filter has small etched lines in the lens. These lines capture light, which leaves a small cross section on every light source.

References

• Cambridge in Colur: Camera Lens Filters