Glow filters might not be the first tool that comes to mind for nature photographers, but Alex Armitage is showing just how powerful they can be. In a recent video, he explores how using glow filters—specifically the Maven Show Glow Filters—has helped him shift from technical precision to a more artistic, storytelling approach.

While most outdoor photographers strive for clarity, sharpness, and perfect detail, Alex encourages a different mindset. He believes that embracing slight softness can create more emotional and visually compelling images. Glow filters, sometimes called black mist or bloom filters, reduce contrast and cause highlights to bloom—producing an effect that feels almost cinematic.

Alex has been testing the Maven 1/4 and 1/2 strength glow filters across a range of lighting conditions. Sometimes the impact is barely noticeable; other times it evokes the dreamy quality of an old film. The key, he says, is practice—understanding how light interacts with the filter and when to lean into its effect.

By working with glow filters in nature photography, Alex has rediscovered the joy of making images that feel less clinical and more personal. It’s less about perfection, and more about atmosphere and narrative.

Curious to see how glow filters could enhance your own photography? Watch Alex’s video and see how the Maven Show Glow Filters might help you bring a fresh, creative energy to your work.