Photographic filter

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A Photographic filter is a filter that is used in photography. There are different kinds of filters:

• Clear filters, commonly known as window glass are put in front of a lens to protect the front element of a lens.
• UV filters are used to reduce the haziness, strong UV filters can be used for warming up certain types of color photos in the shade. They can also correct some of thepurple haze on certain digital camaeras
• Filters are used for color correction; the main use there is to be able to use dayligh-type film indoors, or indoor-type film outdoors.
• Filters are used to enhance contrast. Examples for this are color filters (red, orange, green,..) in black and white photography or polarizing filters in color photography.
• Neutral Density filters reduce light.
• There are special filters that must be used with film that is sensible to infrared light.
• So called diopters or close-up lenses allow to get closer to a subject, or to show it bigger than without the closeup lens. They are a cheaper way to do macro photography
• A diffusion filter shows a subjects softer, by adding artificial unsharpness; this can be wanted in some cases.

Filters can be cheaper or more expensive. The price is often paid for the glass (or plastic) that is treated or coated in different ways. Also some filters can be screwed in front of a lens, others can be placed in the back of the lens, or in special filter holders screwed in at the front.