Beginner Help buying filters

[Vicky91]

I am a relative beginner with taking photos and my new years resolution is to get much better. I did take some good ones last year but I always found it difficult to take a nice photo with nice sky without it being washed out. I have been told a filter will help but i have no idea how and which ones would be best. I have a Canon 600D with the standard lens and a standard zoom lens so my equipment isn't state of the art.

I just really want to take photos I will be proud to show people!

 

[KingRoach]

I think what you are looking for is a gradual ND filter. I recommend you get a square slide-in filter as you can control where the edge of the stopped section of the filter is, in relation to your horizon or skyline for example.

A small beginners set won't set you back a lot. You get ND2, ND4 and ND8 (half, one and two stops) which you can also combine for various stopping powers depending on the contrast in your scene. If you have an EOS 600D I doubt you will need more than 2 stops to begin with.

Somebody else might be more useful if they have experience with these cheap filters I am referring to. Do they cause a colour cast? I have personally only used original Cokin ones (more expensive but better quality) so I do not suffer from colour cast.

 

[KingRoach]

Oh and there is the free option of course.

Shoot RAW and learn how to process your images. Often you can retrieve lots of data in the highlight from the RAW file which is otherwise blown in the JPG. This can push you a long way without filters. You can then use filters for extreme conditions if you need any.

 

[Vicky91]

That's great thanks very much for your advice. I will try both way and see what works best!