The Tiffen Fog filter mimics the effect of natural fog, creating a soft glow and flare and
producing a warm romantic tone.
A natural fog causes lights to glow and flare. Contrast
is generally lower, and sharpness may be affected as well.
Fog filters mimic this effect of
atomized water droplets in the air. The soft
glow can be used to make lighting more visible, make it better felt by the viewer. The effect of humidity in, say, a tropical scene
can be created or enhanced. In lighter
grades, these filters can take the edge off excess contrast and sharpness. Heavier grades can create unnatural effects, as
for fantasy sequences. In general, however,
the effect of a strong natural fog is not produced accurately by Fog filters in their
stronger grades That is because they are too
fuzzy, with too much contrast, to faithfully reproduce the effect of a thick natural fog. For that, Double Fog filters are recommended.
Double Fog filters have milder flare and softening characteristics than standard Fog
filters while exhibiting a much greater effect on contrast, especially in the stronger
grades. A very thick natural fog will still
allow close-up objects to appear sharp. So
will a Double Fog filter. The key to the
effect is the much lower contrast combined with a minimal amount of highlight flare.
