Sarah Pannell Tests Our Newest Filter Kit - The Explorer Kit

Photographer Sarah Pannell shares with us how she uses the three versatile filters in the Explorer Kit.

Words By

Urth ambassador Sarah Pannell takes a trip to her nearby parkland to test the Explorer Kit, a versatile mix of filters that includes a UV filter, a CPL filter and an ND2-400 filter for elevated outdoor photography.

I live in Melbourne’s inner north, fortunately nestled right next to the Merri Creek. As Melbourne slowly managed through it’s second Covid-19 lockdown with restrictions on our daily movement, I found an unbelievable respite in the one hour per day we are allowed to be outdoors. For me, the Merri has been a saviour.

There are some secluded areas off of the main trails along the Merri, where you can sit and enjoy the gentle stream and the nearby birds (including yellow tailed black cockatoos) moving among the gums and pine trees, particularly in the morning. Using Urth’s Explorer Kit, I have found a flexible workflow for creating these photographs on my daily walk around the neighbourhood.

The Explorer Filter Kit

Add to Cart— $85 USD

Magnetic CPL Polarizing Filter Plus+

Add to Cart— $69 USD

Core Camera Strap Slim

Add to Cart— $59 USD

Glass Cleaning Kit

Add to Cart— $39 USD

These photographs are shot with the ND2-400 filter and the CPL filter from the Explorer Kit. I’ve opted for a softer, painterly look through shallow depth of field using these filters with my favourite digital lens; my Nikkor 85mm.

I’ve been shooting video regularly recently and I find when switching modes, the ND2-400 is the most flexible filter to have on my lens, stacked on top of my UV filter which I almost always leave on my lens for protection. However, in some cases like this one when I’m outdoors, I do like to use the CPL to increase clarity and vibrance in an image.