My Filter kit
Filters are creative tools that allow me to shape light before it reaches the camera. They give me greater control over atmosphere, movement and reflections, allowing the final image to come closer to the way I imagined it.
I regularly get asked questions about my photography gear. That is the reason I’ve compiled a list of my filter kit. I don’t usually emphasize the gear aspect of my photography, but I hope this is helpful to someone. I am not sponsored. All my gear was acquired with my own funds.
ND filters give me control over time and movement, polarising filters help manage reflections, protection filters safeguard my lenses, while more creative filters can deliberately change the visual character of an image.
That is why I work with filters from LEE Filters, B+W, HOYA and Urth. LEE gives me precise control when working with long exposures and strong ND filtration, while B+W and HOYA provide the optical quality I rely on for polarisation and everyday lens protection. Urth adds another creative dimension, with filters such as star-effect filters that allow points of light to become deliberate graphic elements within the composition.
Whether I am stretching time, controlling reflections, protecting a valuable lens or turning city lights into something more expressive, the principle remains the same: a filter should never be used simply because it is there — it should help me create an image I could not have made in quite the same way without it.
Lee 100mm filter system
For street, cityscape and fine art photography, the LEE 100mm Filter System gives me precise control over light before it reaches the camera. Its modular design allows me to combine different filters and adapt the setup to the scene and the creative effect I want to achieve.
I particularly appreciate using neutral density filters such as the LEE Little Stopper and Big Stopper, which allow me to work with longer exposures even when there is plenty of available light. This opens up creative possibilities such as blurring walking people, or creative skies.
The 100mm system also allows me to position filters precisely and change them quickly while working on location. For me, the LEE 100mm Filter System is more than a technical accessory — it is a creative tool that allows me to slow down time, shape light and create images that go beyond what the eye sees in a single moment.
Hoya ProND EX Filter Kit
For photography where I want greater control over shutter speed and available light, the Hoya ProND EX Filter Kit gives me a simple and flexible solution. By reducing the amount of light entering the lens, the filters allow me to use longer exposures even in brighter conditions.
I particularly enjoy using ND filters to introduce movement into an otherwise static scene, transforming people, water or clouds into expressive elements within the photograph. They also give me greater freedom to work with wider apertures when I want to control depth of field without overexposing the image.
The different filter strengths make it easy to adapt the effect to the light and the creative idea I have in mind. For me, the Hoya ProND EX Filter Kit is not simply about reducing light — it is about gaining creative control over time, movement and atmosphere before I press the shutter.
Hoya 82mm HDX Cir-Polar
For photography where reflections, contrast and colour play an important role, the Hoya 82mm HDX Circular Polarising Filter gives me greater control over the light entering the lens. By reducing unwanted reflections from surfaces such as glass and water, it can reveal details and textures that would otherwise remain hidden.
I particularly appreciate how a polarising filter can deepen blue skies, improve contrast and bring more natural richness to colours without relying on extensive post-processing. By simply rotating the filter, I can adjust the effect precisely while seeing the result directly through the camera.
This makes it especially useful for architecture, landscapes, cityscapes and photography through reflective surfaces. For me, the Hoya HDX Cir-Polar is more than a technical filter — it is a creative tool that helps me control reflections, strengthen colour and reveal more of what lies beneath the surface.
Urth Star filters
For evening and night photography, Urth Star Filters give me a creative way to transform small points of light into distinctive star-shaped highlights. Street lamps, architectural lighting and other bright sources can become expressive elements that add atmosphere and visual structure to the composition.
I particularly enjoy using the effect in urban scenes, where carefully positioned starbursts can guide the eye through the photograph and strengthen the relationship between light, architecture and people. Because the effect is created directly in-camera, I can see how the light interacts with the scene while composing the image.
Used with restraint, a star filter can add character without allowing the effect to dominate the photograph. For me, Urth Star Filters are not simply about creating starbursts — they are creative tools for turning ordinary points of light into atmosphere, rhythm and visual energy.