The NiSi Black Mist filters are special filters that are often used in film, but also in photography. To imagine the effect of this filter, imagine a film scene that is dreamily transfigured - perhaps a love scene in warm light coming from behind or from the side, in which the skin of the lovers appears soft and even and haze fills the room. Strong contrasts are reduced by the filter, while the sharpness of the image is largely retained. Lights are given a warm ‘glow effect’.

In this bluebell wood in England, I used the indirect light of the sun to create a dreamy effect with the Black Mist filter.

The filter can be used in a variety of photographic genres. For example, it is a welcome aid in portrait photography as well as in landscape photography to create atmospheric images. I mainly use this filter when taking pictures in the forest, especially when the contrasts are too harsh and fog or haze are completely absent. With the help of the filter, the lights in a forest scene are given a dreamy glow and a warm haze.

The Black Mist filters from NiSi are available in different strengths: 1/8, 1/4 and 1/2. I mainly work with the 1/4 filter, which is available in different sizes and as part of a kit with a bag and microfibre cloth. The Professional Black Mist Kit contains all strengths of the filter. I always carry the lightweight filter in my photo rucksack so that I can fall back on it when the occasion arises.

NiSi Black Mist Filter 

The same forest scene in an unspectacular lighting situation with strong contrasts was photographed in quick succession with (left) and without (right) a Black Mist filter. When the filter is used, the lights are given a bright glow that gently radiates into the image.

The Black Mist filter is dependent on light: The stronger the light, the greater the effect. In low light, the effect is minimal and often barely perceptible. However, if the light is too strong, the contrasts disappear almost completely and the scene literally ‘drowns’ in haze and light, which is not usually the intention. If the light comes very strongly and directly from the front, light spots can appear that obscure parts of the image. It is therefore advisable to use light sparingly.

Experimenting with different lighting situations makes sense in order to achieve the desired effect. In my experience, the most impressive results are achieved with indirect backlighting.

The Black Mist filter can also create atmospheric effects in landscape photography. Here I have photographed exactly the same scene with (left) and without (right) the Black Mist filter. The winter sun had just risen and was shining through the trees at a slight angle from above and behind, lengthening their shadows. The Mist filter conjured up additional haze and warmth in the image.

Some may assume that a similar effect can be created by moving the ‘haze slider’ and/or the ‘clarity slider’ to the negative range in Lightroom. Although these tools can increase the amount of haze in the image and minimise contrast, the crucial difference is that the extraordinary and dreamy glow created by the Black Mist filter from the individual highlights in the image can hardly be recreated in this way.

I was out and about during the day in an impressive forest with ancient beech trees in England and wanted to get something out of this technically challenging scene. The Black Mist filter made the bright spots on the leaves glow and reduced the strong contrasts.

Indirect light from the setting or rising sun is ideal for adding a warm glow to the scene from the upper edge of the picture.

My Conclusion

The Black Mist filter can provide valuable services in landscape and nature photography to enhance the atmosphere of images and turn rather difficult lighting situations or unimpressive scenes into something special.