Tonal Correction Filters

[Ryan Patrick O'Hara]

I am currently writing an article about shooting for black and white, either using black and white or color stock.

As many of you know, the use of tone control filters are very effective with black and white stock. Using these colored filters one can change tonal values of certain colors.

What I have never done, and would like to know, is if one was shooting color film stock, with the final product of black and white, could these same filters be used? I have never heard of tone control filters being used on color stock, even when black and white is the final product. Do they react different to color stock? Do the colors bleed or have any other negative impact?

If anybody has any input I would be very grateful.

One last question is also the use of these filters on HD cameras. Does using tonal control filters on an HD color camera (with the intention of a black and white end result) work? Or would they make chroma abbreviations and other funky side effects?

Thanks again,
-ryan

 

[Ryan Patrick O'Hara]

Anyone? Anyone?...

 

[Andrew Brinkhaus]

I'm a little confused by what your asking. Your wondering if certain filters will improve tonal ranges and shades for B&W finish when originating on a color format?

 

[Ryan Patrick O'Hara]

Exactly. Colored filters are used in black and white photography/cinematography to filter out wavelengths of light, making a certain color's tones render differently when in grayscale.

This is done lots with black and white, but I have not heard of it being done when originating on color stock. This is probably because DI can selectively isolate and change tonal values of any color and is usually necessary when originating on color and finishing on b&w, but I am curious about the in camera effects of using these filters with color stock.

Most of all, I worry about the odd effects a colored filter would have on the way color film renders color via the layers in the emulsion. I would assume it might cause an overpowering effect on some color layers, perhaps causing bleeding or funky results.

Thoughts?

 

[Andrew Brinkhaus]

Right, I understand the method, was just unsure of your question.

Like you said, I would be careful of this as isolating tones in certain ranges could lead to bad bleeding or smearing of that tone, which is something that would transfer through to B&W. I think there is a strong difference when talking about tone in B&W, and in color. A tonal filter obviously would not cause problems with B&W as it is only lightening or darkening that shade, whereas in color (especially digital) stacking tones, or "intensifying" a certain shade can easily cause the aforementioned issues.

I think this would be a very interesting subject for testing. I may do something with a DSLR and some filters soon, assuming I can get a hold of some.