Your Best of 2010 Photo Contest
We are launching a new photo contest over at Visual Wilderness! The theme is Your Best of 2010 and, as a happy coincidence with the release of our eBook Essential Filters for Digital Nature Photography, the prize for this contest is Singh-Ray’s new Vari-N-Trio filter (see my review of the filter here). To see what this filter can do check out last week’s weekly photo. Entries will be accepted starting on Dec. 1, 2010. Final deadline is Dec. 31, 2010 at 11:59 EST. To enter go to Visual Wilderness and click on Enter The Contest. Thanks to the good folks over at Singh-Ray for donating a fantastic prize!
* Density can be varied from 4 to 8 f-stops just by rotating the indicator from Min to Max
* Polarization is controlled by rotating BOTH rings together, at any density setting
* Color enhancement is always working to subtly intensify the colors in your scene
* Allows you to use longer exposures to blur motion or flowing water, or other long-exposure effects
* Permits use of larger apertures in bright light for more shallow depth-of-field effects
* The built-in polarizer reduces glare from sky, water, wet surfaces, glass, and other reflective surfaces to improve color saturation and contrast
* Can function like an “iris” for digital video cameras to control exposure
* Available in 77mm only (Standard and Thin Ring mounts)
Darwin Wiggett 
November 29, 2010 at 10:06 AM
Hi Darwin,
The Singh Ray filter would be wonderful as a prize but what if you don’t have a 77 mm mount?
Fran
November 29, 2010 at 10:24 AM
Hi Fran, No problem just buy a step-up ring. So if your favorite lens has a 67mm front thread then buy a step-up ring that goes from 67mm to 77mm. Here is a list of step-up rings from the camera store, there is one for every need – http://www.thecamerastore.com/search/apachesolr_search/Step-up%20ring
Darwin
November 29, 2010 at 7:48 PM
That looks so awesome. Thank you for all the tips Darwin. You’ve been very influential in my learning about photography 🙂
November 30, 2010 at 8:31 AM
Thanks for the nice comment!
Darwin
November 30, 2010 at 8:14 AM
Darwin, after looking through Singh-Ray’s website I am left with both a question and an answer about filers. The answer is I know what I am going to buy next! My question is: What is the difference between a ‘reverse’ grad and a ‘normal’ grad filter. Also what applications would it be best to shoot between the 2?
As Consuelo said, reading your blog has greatly influenced my learning curve as well!
Thank you!
November 30, 2010 at 8:31 AM
A reverse grad is half clear and half ND just like a normal grad but the difference is in the graduated part of the filter. A reverse grad is most dense on the horizon line of the filter (where the ND part and the clear part meet). From that dense ND at the horizon, the grad fades to less density at the top of the grad filter. Reverse grad work best in the prairies at dawn and dusk where you have a glowing horizon and a rich dark cobalt sky above. Reverse grads need a wide-angle lens to work best so you take in lots of sky. A reverse grad is really a specialty filter. I only use one about 5% of the time (and I live in the prairies1). Darwin
November 30, 2010 at 10:55 AM
I would love to own this filter, but the price tag is WOW! I just don’t know how I can justify that for a piece of glass! But I must say you create wonderful imagery with it.
November 30, 2010 at 12:39 PM
Just go enter the contest and win it for free, easy eh?
Darwin
December 1, 2010 at 10:12 AM
Thanks Darwin!