If you're into shooting video, you may have heard of or even used a Pro-Mist filter. But have you ever thought about using them for photography?
Kyle McDougall brings up an interesting concept: using Pro-Mist filters for photography, even though many use them for cinematography. Kyle explains the popularity of these filters among photographers in the photography community. He touches on a few manufacturers currently producing these filters. You may be wondering what a Pro-Mist filter does; he explains that they are filters primarily used in cinematography that keep the image’s contrast and “bloom” the highlights. Kyle describes his use of the filters in a short documentary, why he used them, and the effects he achieved. He also explains the two types of Pro-Mist filters, the quarter and eighth strengths, and which one he prefers after reviewing a few examples of videos using the filters. Later in the video, Kyle shows examples of photography, the effects of using the filters, and why he chose the filter. Ultimately, he wraps up the video by explaining why he used Pro-Mist filters in his photography.
In my search over the last few years to find new ways of creating images and effects without using Photoshop or presets, I came across this video, which piqued my interest. I had never heard of Pro-Mist filters before. After researching and watching the video, I realized it might provide the look I was seeking. The filters retain the image’s contrast and bloom the highlights to take the “edge” off the digital sensor. These filters can really help with blown-out highlights in your images and make them feel a little more natural. If you're looking for a more natural feel in your images, I highly recommend trying these filters. And if you're an avid film photographer, subscribe to Kyle’s channel—he has a ton of great videos on this topic, and the videos are very well put together!
No, Promist alters scene contrast, gives it a misty look.
The filter which alters only the highlight and retains contrast is Glimmerglass. Best filter for both cinematography and photography.
Very informative on the light enhancement in the shadows with light being kinda broadcast from the source but also toning down the light source. This kind of filter would help with the holiday lights at night getting light into some of the shadows even if using say the A7S models. Or even the soon birding season keeping the glow off feathers for more detail.
What would be nice to see is what appears to be noise but just the filter, what does a denoise applied do - I would think great results with the mellowing of lights and brightened shadows with the starting image.
I guess normally this would be done on a camera that had the zebra function where you would use the +/- EV dial to lower or get rid of the zebras.
Also a reason for using bracketed function either night or day and editing the combined image, but being able to select the center image used, like if using ON ONE Photo RAW (there are others) but before processing say 3,5,or 7 images you can see which image you select as the center image even if you select the first image.
And if using a camera with ISO Invariance where in post just increasing exposure you bring out the shadows with less noise.
Sorry just thinking, the scientists mind of a photographer playing with light! Planning to play with!
The filters are just diffusion/diffraction filters, an imitation of true soft focus lenses that use spherical aberration to achieve a similar (but I think superior) effect without losing contrast, and with more control over the effect as the degree of aberration varies as the aperture varies.