How the B&W Filter Advisor works

Summary

Calculator that analyses the colours in the scene and recommends a coloured filter (yellow, orange, red, green) to control how those colours map to grey on B&W film.

How it works

Black and white film records every colour as a shade of grey. Coloured filters in front of the lens lighten objects of the same colour and darken objects of the opposite colour, giving you control over how the scene translates to grey. This modal looks at the colours in your scene and suggests the filter that gives the contrast effect you want.

Yellow filter

Mild contrast boost. Darkens blue sky a touch, separates white clouds from the sky, slightly lightens skin. The most common everyday filter for outdoor B&W work.

Orange filter

Stronger version of yellow. Darkens skies more, separates clouds dramatically, deepens shadows on sunlit grass and leaves. Great for landscapes.

Red filter

Maximum sky-darkening. Skies go almost black, clouds stand out brilliantly, green foliage darkens, lips and skin go pale. The classic dramatic B&W look.

Green filter

The opposite cousin. Lightens foliage and grass, darkens lips and skin slightly, useful for portraits in front of trees or for nature work where you want green tones to read brighter.

Reading the recommendation

The advisor tells you which filter pulls the most out of your scene given the colours it sees. It also tells you the filter factor (how many stops the filter eats), which is automatically rolled into the meter when you accept the suggestion.