Mike Barton Photography - Digital Neutral Density Filter

Polarizing Filters

I believe filters should only be used when it is absolutely necessary. But when I feel that a filter can improve my photograph without making it look artificial or obvious to the viewer, then I'll consider using one. When I first got into photography, I bought all kinds of filters and stressed over which one to use or not to use. I even stacked filters. But over time, I learned from experience how to apply filters and have substantially cut down filter usage.

The polarizing filter is the filter I use most often but not for the reason many people use it. I find the best use of the polarizer is for reducing atmospheric haze and glare from shinny surfaces. This helps to increase color saturation and produces a richer image, especially on an overcast day or when it rains because wet foliage tends to look less colorful. I recommend using a neutral gray polarizer that won't change the overall color of the scene.

Polarizers are also used to darken blue skies. This is probably the most common use. But it's easy to over polarize and turn the sky dark blue or almost black. You may also notice that with wide-angle lenses, the polarizer may produce an uneven sky, with one side being darker than the other. In both cases, you will find it necessary to back off and not use the full strength.

To determine if you need to use a polarizer, look at your scene while rotating the filter. If you don't see any noticeable change, you probably don't need one. When I'm not quiet sure if I should use a polarizer, I shoot with and without it. Polarizers work when your scene is 90 degrees from the sun. Rotate the filter until you have the desired results but remember, don't over do it.

A polarizing filter will increase exposure times about two to two-and-a-half stops and is useful when you want to blur water in a river or waterfall to give it a "cotton candy" look. You also need an overcast sky or shade to further reduce the light so that you slow the shutter speed to ¼ second or more.

There are two kinds of polarizers, linear and circular. Linear Polarizers are used on manual focus lenses. If you have an auto-focus lens, you'll need to use a circular type because they won't interfere with auto-focus and metering functions. Unfortunately, circular polarizers are more expensive. Keep in mind that quality of filters vary when shopping for filters.




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	Polarizing Filters I believe filters should only be used when it is absolutely necessary. But when I feel that a filter can improve my photograph without making it look artificial or obvious to the viewer, then I'll consider using one. When I first got into photography, I bought all kinds of filters and stressed over which one to use or not to use. I even stacked filters. But over time, I learned from experience how to apply filters and have substantially cut down filter usage. The polarizing filter is the filter I use most often but not for the reason many people use it. I find the best use of the polarizer is for reducing atmospheric haze and glare from shinny surfaces. This helps to increase color saturation and produces a richer image, especially on an overcast day or when it rains because wet foliage tends to look less colorful. I recommend using a neutral gray polarizer that won't change the overall color of the scene. Polarizers are also used to darken blue skies. This is probably the most common use. But it's easy to over polarize and turn the sky dark blue or almost black. You may also notice that with wide-angle lenses, the polarizer may produce an uneven sky, with one side being darker than the other. In both cases, you will find it necessary to back off and not use the full strength. To determine if you need to use a polarizer, look at your scene while rotating the filter. If you don't see any noticeable change, you probably don't need one. When I'm not quiet sure if I should use a polarizer, I shoot with and without it. Polarizers work when your scene is 90 degrees from the sun. Rotate the filter until you have the desired results but remember, don't over do it. A polarizing filter will increase exposure times about two to two-and-a-half stops and is useful when you want to blur water in a river or waterfall to give it a "cotton candy" look. You also need an overcast sky or shade to further reduce the light so that you slow the shutter speed to ¼ second or more. There are two kinds of polarizers, linear and circular. Linear Polarizers are used on manual focus lenses. If you have an auto-focus lens, you'll need to use a circular type because they won't interfere with auto-focus and metering functions. Unfortunately, circular polarizers are more expensive. Keep in mind that quality of filters vary when shopping for filters.