Exploring the Tiffen Black Pro-Mist Filter for Black and White Photography
Exploring the Tiffen Black Pro-Mist Filter for Black and White Photography
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Exploring the Tiffen Black Pro-Mist Filter for Black and White Photography
In today’s digital age, it’s easy for images to appear overly sharp and sterile. To counteract this, many photographers are turning to special effects filters, such as the Tiffen Black Pro-Mist filter, to introduce a more organic, cinematic look to their work. In this blog post, I’ll be sharing my experience with the Tiffen Black Pro-Mist filter while shooting black and white film, and why I prefer it over the Nisi alternative.
What is a Black Pro-Mist Filter?
A Black Pro-Mist filter is a special-effects filter that softens highlights, slightly lowers overall contrast, and diffuses light to create a more natural look. The Tiffen Black Pro-Mist 1/4 Filter, in particular, is designed to control highlight brightness and reduce overall contrast without sacrificing image details and clarity. This filter has been used by cinematographers and photographers for years to achieve a more polished look, and now casual shooters and street photographers are embracing it to add character to their photos. For Tiffen Black Pro Mist series, there are 1/8, 1/4 and 1/2. The larger the number the higher intensity the effect would be. For example 1/2 would have higher softening and lower contrast than a 1/8 filter.
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My Experience with Tiffen Black Pro-Mist Filter
I recently experimented with the Tiffen Black Pro-Mist filter 1/4 and 1/8 while shooting a few rolls of black and white film, including Santa RAE 1000 and Kodak Double-X 200. I used three lenses: the Leica Summilux 35mm f1.4 ASPH FLE, Leica Summilux 50mm f1.4 ASPH, and Voigtlander Nokton 75mm f1.5 ASPH VM. My goal was to decrease the sharpness of my images for a more natural appearance, lower the contrast for a genuine look, and create a moody, cinematic feel that would evoke emotion in the viewer.
I was pleased with the results I achieved using the Tiffen Black Pro-Mist filter. The images had a softer, more organic appearance, with a subtle diffusion effect that added depth to the scenes. The filter also helped to control highlights and maintain overall image clarity, making it an effective tool for creating a unique look in my black and white film photography.
Tiffen vs Nisi
In comparison to the Nisi Black Pro Mist filter, I found that the Tiffen and Nisi filters were quite similar in their capabilities. Both filters are uncoated and help to reduce highlight brightness and overall contrast. However, the main difference lies in how they classify their strength and the type of particles they use. Stronger filters with larger particles can sometimes appear dirty.
While I wouldn’t say that one filter is definitively better than the other, I personally prefer the Tiffen Black Pro-Mist filter due to the subtle differences in highlight control. The Tiffen filter provides a more nuanced effect that helps to create the desired look in my photography.
Next Projects
Having had success with the Tiffen Black Pro-Mist filter in my black and white film photography, I’m eager to try it with colour negative film as well as with my digital Leica M10-P. The filter’s ability to create a more natural, cinematic look is an appealing tool for both film and digital photography, and I’m excited to explore the creative possibilities it offers.
Conclusion
The Tiffen Black Pro-Mist filter is a valuable tool for photographers looking to soften highlights, reduce contrast, and create a more organic, cinematic look in their images. And it is not as strong as a normal softar. While the Nisi Black Pro Mist filter offers similar capabilities, I personally prefer the Tiffen filter for its subtle differences in highlight control. As I continue to experiment with the Tiffen Black Pro-Mist filter in various formats, I look forward to discovering new ways to enhance my photography and evoke emotion in my audience.
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