Kase Gradual Fog Filter and Armour Holder

by rbernabe | Jun 22, 2023 | Announcements, Gear Reviews

Kase Gradual Fog Filter and Armour Holder

The Kase Gradual Fog Filter simulates foggy and misty photography conditions by applying a gradient to a mist filter. Under natural situations, the scene should appear foggier with the most distant the elements in the scene and less foggy up closer. By placing the the foggy area of the gradient over the background and the clear area over the foreground, the results are more natural than a mist filter that applies the effect globally.

Filter Features

Fog/Mist Filter with Gradient
Wolverine Series. KW Toughened Optical Glass. Nearly Unbreakable.
IR-CUT Infrared cut-off coating. Scratch resistant
Super Waterproof. Easy Clean
Upper Section simulates the effects of natural fog or mist by creating a soft diffusion around highlights and lowering the overall contrast. Creates a dream like effect . Bottom Section is clear for Sharp Foregrounds. Adjust the filter to get the natural horizon.
Fits Lee, Haida & Hitech, Cokin Z , Nisi 100mm holders.
Includes Leather Case with Magnetic Closure.

Without Kase Gradual Fog Filter

With Kase Gradual Fog Filter

Fog or mist can infuse a photograph with a sense of emotion and mystery by shrouding the environment in an ethereal veil, diffusing light and creating atmospheric depth. It evokes feelings of solitude, contemplation, or suspense. The obscured visibility prompts the viewer’s curiosity, inviting them to imagine what lies unseen, thereby turning an ordinary scene into a compelling narrative imbued with intrigue and a sense of the unknown.

When the filter is fitted with a magnetic frame for the Armour Magnetic Holder Kit, it’s the perfect combination of creative application and a fast, efficient set up. And as always, you can count on the optical quality of all Kase Filters.

Purchase here: Kase Gradual Fog Filter

Essential Composition: Balance

by rbernabe | May 1, 2023 | Creativity, General How-To

Essential Composition: Balance

The concept of balance in composition is one most people can easily understand, even those who don’t consider themselves artists or photographers. After all, the idea of balance can be a lifestyle goal; balanced time, a balanced diet, and just trying to stay balanced and upright to keep from falling over are things to which we can relate. Balance is a universal concept.

In gestalt theory, the Law of Symmetry states that the human mind will constantly seek balance in all visual information it receives from the eyes via the optic nerve. It says that if something appears unbalanced, the viewer will waste valuable time trying to resolve the problem instead of focusing on the scene’s contents. Concerning photography and composition, photographic balance refers to “visual weight” within the image frame and how it’s arranged. The placement, size, and brightness values of all the visual elements will determine if the image feels in equilibrium or not. Photographic balance is harmonious. When an image is out of balance, it can give the viewer a negative or uncomfortable feeling or sensation.

There are two types of compositional balance used in photography, art, and design: formal and informal balance. Symmetry is a type of formal balance where two sides of a photo are mirror images of each other. Symmetry can refer to vertical balance – where the top and bottom are essentially the same – or as horizontal balance – where the left and right sides of the image are equal.

A reflection is one of the few instances where bisecting the photo through the center of the image frame is effective compositionally. Symmetry works when the photographer wants to communicate or project equality, equivalence, uniformity, or even fairness. There is little visual tension with this arrangement, and all the visual elements are harmonious.

With informal or asymmetrical balance, visual equilibrium is achieved by counterpoising two or more elements at opposite ends of the image frame. The arrangement can be horizontal, vertical, or diagonal. Image balance is achieved by strategically placing two or more of these strong visual elements and distributing them equally within the photograph. While formal balance creates symmetry, informal balance leads to an asymmetrical composition, yet it’s still balanced.

When positioning two powerful visual elements at opposite ends of the image frame, you give the image informal balance and trigger powerful visual tension and energy by moving the viewer’s eye back and forth between the two elements via a virtual diagonal line (see above). These elements could be two competing focal points with varying sizes and colors, as long as they are conspicuous. The result is an image that achieves photographic balance and harmony and is also dynamic. You can learn more about photographic balance and many other compositional concepts in my e-book, Creative Composition: Image Design Masterclass.

Kase Revolution Magnetic Filters

by rbernabe | Dec 29, 2022 | Announcements, Gear Reviews

Kase Revolution Magnetic Filters

I’ve used Kase Filters for my photography exclusively over the past 3 or 4 years after trying nearly every brand on the market. That’s because the quality of Kase glass is unsurpassed and the filters impart zero color cast to my images, unlike many of their competitors. Recently, they released the Kase Revolution magnetic filter set with color-coded rings, tempered, shockproof optical glass, and ingenious magnetic adapters.

The Kase Revolution Magnetic Circular Filters Professional Kit is available in 77mm, 82mm, 95mm, and 112mm sizes plus any step-up rings that might be needed. The full set consists of 4 color-coded filters: 3-stop, 6-stop, and 10-stop neutral density filters (perfect for long exposure photography), a polarizing filter, magnetic adaptor, inlaid adapter ring, magnetic lens cap, and handsome carry pouch. Kase Revolution filters are made from the same tough, color neutral pro glass as the square filters, so all photographers can be assured of the best image quality possible and still have peace of mind.

I still use the Kase square filters and holder for 90 percent of my photography – especially when doing landscapes – but I personally tried the new Kase Revolution system and really enjoyed using them for wildlife photography with my Canon RF 100-500mm lens. The quality of construction and materials that make up these filters is unmatched and their performance was off-the-charts good. If you’re looking for a new filter set – or your first – I would highly recommend these

Get yours on Amazon: Kase Wolverine Revolution 77mm Pro ND Filter Kit Magnetic Shockproof Tempered Optical Glass w Color Coded Rings

Long Exposure Photography: Neutral Density Filters

by rbernabe | Jul 9, 2022 | General How-To

Long Exposure Photography: Neutral Density Filters

One problem encountered when experimenting with long exposure photography is having too much light. You can’t get the aesthetic effect of those long shutter speeds without over-exposing the image. If it’s relatively dark – like dawn or dusk – that’s not much of a problem. But what if you want to express the illusion of time when it’s bright and sunny? Neutral density filters are the answer.

Neutral density (ND) filters reduce the amount of light entering the camera, allowing for longer exposure times than would be possible without them. The key is that they reduce light uniformly, so contrast and dynamic range are not affected – unlike a graduated neutral density (GND) filter. The primary purpose of ND filters is blocking light from reaching the image sensor.

ND filters are nothing more than darkened glass placed in front of the lens to absorb a percentage of the incoming light. They are available in different “strengths” usually designated by either the number of stops it slows down the exposure or in terms of optical density strength (see the ND filter strength conversion table below). A 3-stop or 0.9 density ND is ideal for waterfalls in bright sunlight, slowing the exposure to a second or so, depending on the f-stop and ISO used. A strong 10-stop or 3.0 ND filter can blur clouds over several minutes, even on a bright sunny day.

Neutral Density Filters Strength

Neutral Density Filters

The image below, Iguazu Falls on the border of Brazil and Argentina, would not have been possible without the help of a neutral density filter. Here is the exposure data from this image: 4.0 seconds, f/22, ISO 100, 6-stop ND filter. The correct exposure data without the ND filter would have been the same except for the shutter speed, which would have been 1/15 of a second (6 stops faster). As you can see, I am already at the smallest f-stop (f/22) and the lowest ISO (100) possible for my camera and lens.

There’s nothing else I can do in camera to slow things down to achieve the desired effect. Without the ND filter, the correct exposure would have been 1/8 second so a 4-second exposure would have badly overexposed the image. There is simply no way to create the smooth, silky water I desired under those bright, sunny skies without the ND filter absorbing some of the light that was reaching my camera’s sensor. Unless, of course, I wished to wait for less intense light once the sun went down or a cloud passed overhead. But then there’s that pretty little rainbow I would have missed.

So you see, neutral density filters may not exactly be essential, but they will certainly help achieve longer exposures and help you get shots that you wouldn’t have taken otherwise.

Circular or Square Neutral Density Filters?

When it comes to neutral density filters, you have two choices: circular screw-in filters or square/rectangle slide filters. Each have their advantages and disadvantages.

Circular ND filters screw into the front element of your lens. Since you probably have several different lenses, each with a different size front element, you should also own a set of step-up rings for each lens rather than buying a separate filter for each size. Get one ND filter for the lens with the largest front element diameter (77mm for example) and step-up rings for the smaller sizes (52mm or 67mm, just to name a few).

The circular screw-in filters are convenient to carry around and store in your camera bag. They are also more durable and difficult to break. But stacking filters for more ND strength or adding a polarizer can darken or vignette the image corners. Singh-Ray makes a circular screw-in Vari-ND that allows you to adjust the strength of the filter’s density (1 to 8 stops as mentioned earlier) as well as a model with a built-in polarizing filter. But I have found these filters difficult to use and the filters are so thick that they vignette when used with wide-angle lenses.

Kase 100mm filter holder with Kase 100mm 3-stop ND filter.

Square or Rectangle filters (above) are glass or resin slides that fit onto the front of your lens with an adapter ring and filter holder. These filter systems come in different sizes. They usually do not vignette with wide-angle lenses, even when with filters stacked together. They are much more cumbersome to carry around and store in your camera bag, however, when compared to the circular variety. You should always weigh the options of both and decide which is best for you.

What Do I Use?

Over the course of my professional photography career, I have tried just about every type of neutral density filter on the market and I’ve settled on the filters made by Kase Filters (All links below to Amazon).

Kase Wolverine Shockproof 100mm ND8 3-Stop Neutral Density Filter
Kase Wolverine Shockproof 100mm ND64 6-Stop Neutral Density Filter
Kase Wolverine Shockproof 100mm ND1000 10-Stop Neutral Density Filter
Kase Wolverine Shockproof 100mm ND64000 16-Stop Neutral Density Filter

Beyond The Lens Podcast

by rbernabe | May 1, 2022 | Beyond The Lens, Uncategorized

Beyond The Lens Podcast

This photography podcast takes you beyond the lens, exploring the arts, travel, conservation, entrepreneurship, creative culture, and more through deep-dive interviews with some of the world’s most influential and inspiring people.

Host Richard Bernabe is a renowned photographer, intrepid world traveller, explorer, author, and champion of wildlife and endangered species. He’s been hailed as one of the “Top 30 Influential Photographers on the Web” by the Huffington Post and Influence Digest’s “20 Photographers Changing the World Through Social Media.” He has travelled to more than 60 countries, capturing photographs and writing for clients including National Geographic, CNN, The New York Times and the BBC.

Beyond the Lens is published bi-weekly on the Official Beyond The Lens Website and podcast publishing platforms all over the world.

Subscribe to Beyond The Lens on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, Castbox, or anywhere you listen to podcasts. Also listen on the official Beyond The Lens Website.

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