Using a Polarizing Filter

Tuesday, June 02, 2009

Of all the filters available, a polarizing filter is the first one you should buy to improve your photography.

Polarizing filters can darken blue skies (turning them a deep, rich blue) and are great for removing reflections in water. They're also good with foliage, making leaves less shiny (again, cutting down on reflections). Color saturation is enhanced with almost any subject. No other filter can provide this!

The polarizing filter does one thing and one thing well - it removes reflections from non-metallic surfaces:

By eliminating the reflection of light on the tiny water droplets present in the atmosphere the polarizer brings more saturated and slightly darker skies.

By eliminating reflections, the polarizing filter will tend to make water and other reflective surfaces more transparent. The effect will also vary depending on the angle to the reflective surface. If you place your camera very low above a river, the effect will be very limited. If you shoot from a bridge above it, the water will look totally transparent.

A polarizing filter reduces reflection from surfaces and makes colors appear more intense. It also tends to make shadow areas darker.

The downside of a polarizing filter is that it absorbs 1.5 stops of exposure. So, if you shoot at 1/180th of a second and then add the filter, you will find yourself at 1/60th of a second. This happens whatever the orientation for a polarizer. In low light situations, some type of camera support, such as a tripod, will be needed.

CharlestonImage.com | Promote Your Page Too

---