A frequent question I hear is “is there a filter that will help me __ __ __?” Often, the answer is no. However, a Polarizing Filter is the one I encourage most people to acquire. Here are some basic tips and thoughts about this accessory…
The Polarizing Filter: A Nature Photographer’s Best Friend
The one accessory I always make certain is in the bag.
Grand Canyon, 2013 The polarizing filter helped separate and emphasize the clouds, and deepen the blue skies
Why use a polarizer
If you want to see your outdoor photographs really “pop,” this is the answer. A polarizing filter changes how you see the light that is being reflected from objects in the scene you are photographing. If your photograph includes water, it becomes clearer; if there are wet rocks, suddenly you see the rocks and not the light reflected from the moisture. If there are blue skies with puffy white clouds, the sky becomes bluer and the clouds whiter and more distinct. If your photograph includes vegetation, the color of the foliage is made richer – think fall foliage.
When to use a polarizer:
Get out your polarizing filter when you photograph:
Falling Water Falls, October, 2013
Water, waterfalls, wet rocks, lakes and oceans;
Landscapes, especially with blue sky and white clouds;
Fall foliage;
Or need to slow the shutter speed
Jack Creek, Ouachita National Forest, Arkansas
How to use the polarizer
The greatest amount of polarization occurs at a 90° angle to the sun; but, that does not mean you only use it at that angle. Rather, it just means you will see the effect lessening as you move the camera more toward or away from the sun. If the sun is in the frame, or directly at your back, you will essentially see no effect. So, with that in mind:
- With the polarizing filter in place, frame your image and focus. Then, slowly turn the outer ring of the filter. As you do so, you will see the effect on your image increase or decrease. When you like what you see, stop the rotation and press the shutter button.
- Take caution: if you are using a wide angle lens and have the blue sky in your frame, the effect will be uneven across the image, making the sky look unnatural.
- If you are shooting at high elevation, the air is thinner, making skies a deeper blue than at sea level, and the polarizing filter will make the sky very dark, almost black.
- In addition, pay attention to your exposure settings. This filter reduces light to your camera by 1½ to 2 stops. Your camera’s light meter will automatically compensate for this – usually by changing your shutter speed. If you are hand-holding your camera, or if you are trying to stop motion, you may need to compensate with aperture and/or ISO settings to keep your image sharp.
One final note: Unless you are using a pre-1970’s camera (or a view camera) be sure yours is a “circular polarizer.” Occasionally, you will come across a “linear” polarizing filter. This does not mean one is round and the other is not; this refers to the way they filter polarized light. Simply stated, the circular polarizing filter will work better with today’s cameras.
The polarizing filter: one accessory I don’t leave home without.
Additional resources and references:
Bob Atkins: http://www.bobatkins.com/photography/technical/polarizers.html
The Luminous Landscape: http://www.luminous-landscape.com/tutorials/polarizers.shtml
Digital Photography School: http://digital-photography-school.com/how-to-use-and-buy-polarizing-filters/
Millican Photography 