What are the uses of yellow, green, red, blue filters in black and white photography?

Question

Could someone explain the difference in using colored filters for black and white photos? What is the best practice using these filters for portraits, landscapes, macro? For different types of weather: sunny, foggy, morning, evening, and so on?

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Photo Filters for Black and White Photography

Yellow Filter x Orange Filter x Red Filter x Green Filter x Blue Filter

Asked by garik

Answer

If you are using a digital camera, there is little need to use colored filters, as you can apply their effects in post processing when you do the black and white conversion.

See Are there reasons to use colour filters with digital cameras?

Also How can using a color filter help to improve a black and white photo?

If you are shooting film, then

• Red is commonly used in landscapes. It will darken foilage, and will dramatically increase the constrast in cloudy skies. It will lighten skin if used in portraiture.
• Orange behaves like red, but effects are less.
• Yellow has a subtle effect - will darken skin slightly.
• Green will lighten foilage. It can be used in portraits to darken the skin
• Blue will lighten skies, and lower contrast if you want a hazy effect

Answered by MikeW

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