Photographic filter

<p>In <a href="/facts/Photography/ezLPT43M">photography</a> and <a href="/facts/Cinematography/Umcgh4GC">cinematography</a>, a filter is a <a href="/facts/Camera/j4uqsfJQ">camera</a> accessory consisting of an <a href="/facts/Optical_filter/WdCmGqaq">optical filter</a> that can be inserted into the <a href="/facts/Optical_path/tXu2qmnN">optical path</a>. The filter can be of a square or oblong shape and mounted in a holder accessory, or, more commonly, a glass or plastic disk in a metal or plastic ring frame, which can be screwed into the front of or clipped onto the <a href="/facts/Camera_lens/TkL6sd1b">camera lens</a>.
</p><p>Filters modify the images recorded. Sometimes they are used to make only subtle changes to images; other times the image would simply not be possible without them. In <a href="/facts/Monochrome_photography/xuEUuQNC">monochrome photography</a>, coloured filters affect the relative brightness of different colours; red lipstick may be rendered as anything from almost white to almost black with different filters. Others change the <a href="/facts/Colour_balance/npTvImNA">colour balance</a> of images, so that photographs under incandescent lighting show colours as they are perceived, rather than with a reddish tinge. There are filters that distort the image in a desired way, diffusing an otherwise sharp image, adding a starry effect, etc. Linear and circular polarising filters reduce oblique reflections from non-metallic surfaces.
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Photographic filter open-in-new

Photographic filter