JPG Magazine: Stories: My Precious: A Filtered Love

A Filtered Love

When my father passed his Canon A-1 along to me to use, initially I was unable to see the full extent of the bond that would form with the camera. Not only is it a great camera, but the accessories he provided with it made a great camera better and that much more fun to shoot with. Sure, there are digital counterparts and software applications that can achieve the same effect. However, I get a different feeling when I am out and about shooting, advancing the film, and applying different accessory items to achieve the effect I want to achieve. I am certainly not a traditional film photographer as I also shoot digital. There is just some special about film photography that can never truly be replaced.

Of the accessory items I enjoy, a set of lens filters made by Cokin has seen the most playing time on the field. These filters, purchased in the late 70's, provide the same visual impact now as they did then. A wonderful invention that is still every bit as useful as when it was released nearly 30 years prior. While Cokin offers a wide array of similar products, the ones my father purchased included Star, Spot InColor, Pastel, Orange, and Blue. Each filter fits into the A series square filter holder system which uses the lens threads to mount to the end of the lens. At first it appeared somewhat awkward to use and carry, but as with anything used repeatedly, you quickly adapt as you work.

I have to say, that my personal favorite thus far is the COEF. + 2/3 Orange (85 B) filter. Coupled with black & white film, it is a perfect union producing results that seem to cater solely to my artistic desires. While the filter holder system allows up to 3 filters to be used at a time, my personal preference leaves the orange filter to work solo.

I prefer a little grit and grain in my black and white work, as if it lends with it a deeper sense of realism and truth that is lacking in some color work. The orange filter, as if equipped with a mind of its own, understands this and pulls life out and puts it into each capture. For me, black and white photography is far from dead or overused. It carries with it a sense of class, weight, and power. The orange filter only adds to this, giving the photos that little something extra. I feel that it brings out some of the more subtle details that I might have otherwise missed, or even had to use post-photo editing in order to bring out.

In the past, I have found it too tempting to bring my photos into the computer for a round or two of editing. With the photos taken by the A-1 and orange filter, I do nothing by way of digital darkroom, save some resizing.

The Cokin filters have truly become a precious possession and valuable creative device.

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