Surrey Border Film & Video Makers
Woolmer's wisdom - the use of filters with a camcorder to produce those extra effects
“Filters - what for? I can hear someone say, or "I never use them!” This may sound
very elementary, so at the risk of trying to teach Granny to suck eggs, I’m
going to say something about filters. I have to admit though that I have
often found myself without the one I need for a particular purpose, there being so many!
The thing is
to decide first if you want to bother with them, for the electronics can take care of the most obvious use: that is,
the correct white light balance. Most cameras have back lighting compensation, even though it may be a bit hit and
miss with a basic camera.
I find a polarising filter one of the most effective. It can be used to
take out unwanted reflections in water or glass by rotating it until you get the
best result. It can work wonders with skies and make a very dramatic scene.
Note that the light from a blue sky is most polarized at right angles to the Sun and so in this
direction you can produce a dramatic contrast between the blue of the sky and any puffy white clouds.
There are many colours and several
shades from light to quite dark. Many are graduated to obtain a useful
effect. Using a very light neutral graduated filter, I find can be effective
if used on the top half of a landscape to take the glare out of the sky
where necessary.
It is interesting to try out various filters to
experiment with such effects as sepia, to create a ‘ye olde worlde’ look!
To achieve Day for Night with video is more difficult than with film, as the electronics in the camera take over
the exposure control and interfere with creativeness! Where with film, to shoot a moonlight scene for instance, the
choice of filter would be a blue combined with under exposure, and would be best shot in strong sunlight under blue
skies. Low angled slightly
back-cross lighting being essential to make dark shadows. With video, unless yours is a more sophisticated camera, you may have to use two filters for a moonlight
scene; a blue combined with a darkish neutral density to make a contrasty
dark bluish effect, with little or no shadow detail. (It would need
experimentation.)
An old trick used in cinematography
for soft focusing was to stretch fine gauze at the front of the lens, but I
have not tried this with video. It would be worth experimenting.
We
all know about the various star filters, I think they have a place, but
again, should be used with discretion!
There are so many effects possible that it would be too much to write
about here, I think filters are well worth experimenting with to achieve the required effect although it is
obvious that all this can be achieved in the computer after shooting.
John and his wife Joan joined Surrey Borders circa 1991, bringing a strong new talent and expertise to the club that resulted in an enthusiasm for making club films and entering competitions as never before. John was a great writer and his stories became great films, winning Gold awards for The Gold Medallion and Paula, and others. John was energetic, painting for art exhibitions, making props for the next project, writing his book and gleaning data to eventually finalise the book of his family tree, and last but not least, operating the “confounded” computer that held it all together. He was a very talented fun loving man, who will always be remembered by the club and his family.
Who are we in this film/movie/video club? We make films, videos and movies and meet on the first Friday of the month to answer members questions and to discuss ongoing club projects. Well known film makers, judges and film professionals are often our speakers for the evening. We welcome visitors and new members interested in film and video, and there is no need to own digital cameras or camcorders and no need for previous experience, as we happily provide mentors for beginners. Surrey Border meetings start at 7:45pm and end just after 10:00pm with a refreshment break at around 9:00pm. Visitors and new members are warmly welcomed to the monthly meetings which are on the first Friday of each month (and the first visit is free). Our meetings are held in our new contemporary hall in St Joan's Centre which is in the grounds of St Joan's church in Tilford Road, near the station in Farnham. The hall has a large car park and is within easy reach of Guildford, Farnborough, Fleet, Bordon etc. In Surrey and Hampshire. Read more about us here.
Our interests We have a good mix of interests amongst members include script writing, acting, directing, technical and artistic and all agree that ideas and skills are more important than equipment as shown by there being fewer cameras and camcorders than members. Some get more enjoyment in viewing and discussing the films produced by others and just being part of the community. There are those who wouldn't wish to ever hold a camera or camcorder while some like to help in filming but don't own their own camcorder. Of course there are always those with the latest high definition wizz bang up to date cameras, camcorders, microphones and gadgets and the lovely thing is that they are always happy to demonstrate both equipment and techniques to others. For anyone thinking of buying a camera or camcorder advice is always on hand. We have almost equal numbers of members with PC and Mac computers. We regularly put on courses, tutorials and training sessions in the light of the current interests and needs of members. Individuals with particular problems typically have one to one help.
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