To spice up your creative family beach vacation photographs, try a camera filter?

In everyday terms, a camera filter is an attachment that you put on the end of your camera lens to modify the photograph in a specific way.

Polarizing Filter
If you do happen to take a lot of your photographs during the heat of the day, you should definitely consider purchasing a polarizing filter. It is relatively inexpensive, and it can have some wonderful effects. For example, it will make the sky appear bluer, and enable you to see objects under the water better. In certain situations it will seem that colors jump out at you. Get one...try it out.

UV Filter
One of the most basic camera filters available is a UV filter. This filter will cut down on the ultraviolet light, and thereby reduce the haziness and fogginess that can be produced. You will not need to compensate for exposure with a UV filter attached.

It's a good idea to keep a UV filter on your camera at all time. Not only will this protect your lens, it will also protect the threads that can become clogged with sand and grit.

Sunglasses
If you don't have a UV filter, but would like to have the benefits, why not have your camera wear your sunglasses for a while? Just place the lens of the glasses over the camera lens, and snap away. A cheap fix when you don't have a professional UV filter available.

Special Effects
You can also generate photographs with special effects by employing the use of filters. No need to spend extra money on this...use some simple household items to start. If you like the effects, then you can always purchase a professional filter to achieve more professional effects.

Softer Effects
Try an old stocking over the lens for a softer effect. Black stockings add a darker hue, and generate a beautiful effect. You can also breathe gently on the camera lens. This little bit of moisture will generate a bit of a fog on the lens, and help produce a softer photograph in the process. Some people use vaseline on their lens, and although it can produce some interesting photos, it tends to be a bit messy.

Masking Tape
At this point we should add another option to soften your photographs. It involves your flash, not your lens. Try placing a small strip of masking tape over the flash. It will reduce the harsh output of the flash, and thereby soften your photographs.

Infrared
Here's a neat little trick you can try if you have an old floppy disk handy. Rip out the little black metallic disk in the middle (make sure you no longer need this disk), and place this over the lens as you take your photograph. It will block out almost all the visible light, permitting only the infrared light to get through. This little technique can generate some very spectacular effects. Be sure to take a photo without the floppy so you can compare the differences.

Try these simple techniques on your next creative family beach vacation to spice up your photographs a bit.

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