Three separate shots with filtration as labeled, camera mounted firmly on tripod (click image to enlarge)
Two early morning trips to Temple Square, including our first "impromptu" Photowalk (yay Harley and Aaron for braving the alarm clock) have yielded some interesting data, if not pictures. Actually, some fine photos were made, but today's images belong more in the data category.
I've used the Cokin 840 Diffuser filter in the past as a remixing layer with some success (It's one layer in this Temple Square image, for example). In putting together this weekend's workshop for the Moab Photo Symposium, I acquired several new tricks for my bag, including one of Cokin's Pastel 087 filters. My group will be doing a Photowalk-esque walkabout during the workshop, and won't lack for photographic esoterica to experiment with.
The pictures on Cokin's site and printed materials don't real serve to show how different these two filters really are. The plain version was shot at f8.0 1/320th sec at ISO200, both of the filtered images at 1/200th sec. I'm not sure pastel is the right word for the 087 filter. It's more like "smear the light around and kill the contrast," which probably wouldn't translate to French very well. I made some images in the shade. Here the differences aren't nearly as striking.
Two separate shots with filtration as labeled, camera mounted firmly on tripod (click image to enlarge)
I haven't had a chance yet to see how the 087 works in night scenes. I'm usually not a fan of heavily diffused portraiture, but I think I'll do the experiment. I am always much happier working with data than lore.
A fun part of these effects is that the gear is (relatively) inexpensive and lightweight. You can get the basics at any decent camera shop. The retail shops aren't likely to have everything in the Cokin catalog; I bought some of the more obscure ones from the Filter Connection. I've even outfitted my Canon G9 with a LensMate filter mount, which can mount a Cokin filter holder. Now I don't have to hold the filters up to the lens, which is not exactly admirable technique, though it did work in a pinch.
The Pastel 2 087 has earned a spot in my camera bag, although it must keep company with two more new acquisitions I'll post about soon. What's your most unusual filter/gear in yours?
