Holga - Using Coloured Filters

For a long time, I was frustrated with the lack of control on my Holga; I could only really shoot properly in one lighting condition which was dictated by my film speed - ISO 100 for sunny weather and ISO 400 for overcast or shade. I found that using colored filters allowed me to use a 400-speed film no matter the weather.

Colored filters have the effect of increasing contrast in your black and white photos, at the same time they also reduce the amount of light hitting your film. By using this idea you can use ISO 400 film in cloudy weather, or simply pop a filter on when the sun is out to give you a nice contrast and a properly exposed image.

Materials

• Holga camera (120 or 35 mm both work fine)
• 46-49 mm step up ring
• 49 mm colored filter (orange and red work best)
• 49 mm lens cap (optional)

Instructions

Simply screw the step up ring into the front of your Holga lens, it can take a bit of force but it gets there eventually. Your filter can then screw directly into the step up ring as shown in the photo above.

When it comes to choosing a colored filter I suggest getting either a yellow, orange or red filter; each of these increase contrast in different amounts and create beautiful, dramatic photos.

• Yellow filter - slightly increase contrast
• Orange filter - moderately increase contrast
• Red filter - significantly increase contrast

If you're stuck in shade or overcast weather simply take your filter off and shoot as normal; your ISO 400 film should work perfectly.

I hope these tips are helpful to all of the Holga shooters out there, they've definitely worked for me. :)

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2013-05-10 #gear #tutorials #red #black-and-white #bw #yellow #camera #orange #drama #filters #filter #tipster #ilford-hp5 #120n #holga #film-noir