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I believe that we as
photographers are in a constant state of evolving
consciousness. We see the world that we photograph
differently at different ages and milestones in our
lives, and we try new things – we experiment with
new techniques, and sometimes we go on tangents. Its
all about that “vision” thing – how we “see” things.
For some years I was enamored of “big sky” scenes –
the grand landscape. That was very much about
scouting, previsualizing, and being there at the
decisive moment. I have drifted into more
introspective and more intimate landscape imagery,
though I will never pass up a grand scenic. I have
tended to more literal interpretations of the scene
before me, and have tried to avoid special effects,
save for the occasional errant moon that found its
way accidentally onto a previously exposed sheet of
film. But I have found these filters give me
additional tools to help when conditions aren’t just
right. Why the long wind up about me? Because the
Singh-Ray filters that are the subject of this penny
dreadful aren’t for literal interpretations of the
scene, they are for exploring new visions. The Gold
‘n Blue and the Soft Ray should find a place in your
arsenal at some point, but like an exotic spice,
should be used sparingly for best results.
The Gold ‘n Blue filter is a
refinement of previously available color polarizers.
The Gold ‘n Blue is perfect when you are fighting
drab conditions, but feel you must make an image for
whatever reason. It works wherever there is
something to polarize – water, wet rock, sky – you
name it. The Soft Ray can turn mundane bare sticks
and weeds into works of art (in the right hands) and
add mystery to your scene when the fog didn’t show
up for work when you did. Both filters give you
additional tools to render your personal vision.
I came upon this scene while
hiking the Narrows this past fall. The seep behind
the box elders was attractive, but lacked impact. A
hunch that the wet seep would polarize into blue
paid off, adding color contrast in addition to shape
and content. The foliage took on a slightly
different color balance that was neither better nor
worse to my eye, just different.
(Left) The original scene.
(Right) The scene with a Gold 'n Blue Polarizer.
Likewise I thought that
Mystery Falls could use a little reflected sky
color, but the drab overcast wasn’t cooperative:
Gold ‘n Blue to the rescue!!
I love fog – can’t get enough,
but fog is elusive, and often fleeting. The Soft Ray
filter provides some of that atmosphere and
ambience, and helps to turn bare sticks into
something more. Granted these images aren’t going to
change the world, but you can see how they might be
helpful in your own image-making. Post processing
varies the effect; a simple move with the highlight
levels slider varies the intensity of the effect.
Increasing contrast adds snap and reduces the “fog”
intensity.
(Left) The original scene.
(Right) The scene with a Soft Ray filter added.
Adding glow to wildflowers is
a snap, and depth of field becomes less of an issue
as does wind.
Are these filters for you?
That’s a tough one. We may have a demo set available
on our tours this year, so you can combine a superb
photographic experience in some of the finest
photographic locations, pick our brains about things
photographic and not, and perhaps test drive a
Singh-Ray filter or two. See ya out there!!
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