Your home made filters can save you money and free you from using only manufactured filters.
It is possible to create your own unique filters for artistic control of your photos.
Even if your homemade filters will not match the quality properties of the manufactured filters from optical grade materials, they will produce acceptable results that might be even desirable.
You will need a universal filter holder attached to the front of your lens.
It will allow you to experiment with various materials to achieve different effects.
For colored filters the simplest option is to use colored cellophane or theatrical gels.
Basically all that is needed is some sort of transparent material.
A great variety of effects can be achieved when using clear acetate.
By marking it with a color felt-tipped pen endless possibilities can be achieved.
The acetate filters are great at producing pastel-like colors.
The possibilities are endless, since you can make filters with endless color combinations.
The diffusion filters can be made from any transparent material.
Since each material has its own unique way of scattering light a large variety of visual effects can be achieved.
Wile mostly the diffusion filters are used on camera at the time of the exposure, it is possible to use them in your darkroom when printing.
To make your homemade diffusion filters you will need some of the following materials.
Cellophane: you can crumple it and after smooth it out again.
You can easily attach it to the front of your lens with a rubber band.
Matt spray - apply a fine mist of spray mat on a piece of glass, Plexiglas or an unwanted clear filter.
Clear nail polish can be brushed on an unwanted clear filter or a piece of glass.
After its dried it can be used.
A variety of possibilities can be achieved when painted in different patterns.
It is also possible to use nail polish for cleanup.
Another great material for diffusion filters are stockings.
They can be easily stretched over the front of the lens and attached with a rubber band.
The beige or gray stockings works best because other colors will influence the color balance of the final image.
To reduce the overall contrast use white stockings as they scatter a greater amount of light.
Another material that can be used is transparent tape.
It can be applied on an unwanted UV or other clear filter as a crisscross or other pattern.
The amount of diffusion is determined by width and thickness of the tape.
Carefully applied petroleum jelly on a piece of glass or an unwanted clear filter makes a good diffusion filter.
The amount of diffusion is determined by the direction of application and thickness of the jelly.
The petroleum jelly can be easily applied with your finger, or a brush.
Afterward it can be cleaned with a soap and warm water.
A large variety of materials can be used to create your own unique homemade filters.
Feel free to experiment with various materials to achieve different results.