Back in the pre-digital era, most photographers' kits included any number of filters.

Now, with the post-processing power of Lightroom and Photoshop, there's no longer any need to shoot with filters, right?

Wrong.

While it's true you can let many of them go, there are two filters you should consider always having on hand: 1) circular polarizer, and 2) circular neutral density. They live permanently in my bag. (I use a Nikon thin-ring multi-coated polarizer, and Singh-Ray's Vari-ND which enables me to add anywhere from two to eight stops simply by rotating the glass.)

Good filters aren't inexpensive. If you must choose between the two, prioritize first with the polarizer.

Of course, it can enhance blue skies - but that can also be achieved when processing the image. It's not really necessary for this purpose. There are some things, though, which can't be adjusted/changed/fixed after the fact. And it's those situations for which the circular polarizer is an indispensable tool:

• Removing glare from wet vegetation

• Removing glare from water

• Enabling the use of a slower shutter (not nearly what you'd get from an ND, but helpful in a pinch)

Olympic National Park is a poster child for polarizing filers. In early December, the park's Hoh rainforest is particularly wet: winter is the rainy season. Without a polarizer, you'll end up with unsightly glare on just about everything, most especially the ferns and tree trunks. There's not a lot you can do about glare after the fact. The key is to eliminate it as much as possible before clicking the shutter - which you can do with your polarizer.

Higher quality filters have superior glass, which means their anti-reflective coatings are more effective. Invest in a good polarizer, and make sure it's always in your bag. You'll thank yourself.

Happy New Year to you and yours! Here's hoping you have plenty of good light in the year to come.