BetterPhoto Q&A
Category: Camera Filters

Tim L. Hansen

To Polarize or Not To Polarize

Recently, I took a cruise to Aruba. I shot almost all my pictures with a polarizer. Even though the skies were darkened, almost to purple, I was somewhat disappointed in the way the water appeared. I'm heading to Tahiti for a once in a lifetime trip. I know how polarizers intensify the blue of skies, and intensify greens of foliage, but it seems that they can sometimes rob color from the beautiful turquoise green waters and also, suppress details. Any suggestions for resolving this dilemma?

To love this question, log in above
September 14, 2005

Jon Close

The effects of the polarizer can be seen in the viewfinder. As you rotate it, note how it changes the appearance of the water. The polarizer can remove cloud reflections on the water, bright highlights off the tops of waves, etc. If you want these elements retained, then turn the polarizer to get what you want. But to keep these elements, you'll likely lose some of the saturation of the sky. It may be that instead of a polarizer you need a graduated neutral-density filter instead.

To love this comment, log in above
September 15, 2005

Kathy L. Pollick

And how does the graduated neutral density filter compare to the polarizer? What does it do? I purchased a circular polarizer for my camera but have only used it outside a few times. The sky did look beautiful, but haven't tried it on water.

To love this comment, log in above
September 15, 2005

Jon Close

Without any filtering, the sky will often be "blown out" or rendered white because it is so much brighter than the terrestrial scene. The film or digital sensor does not have the range to record such a great disparity in brightness.
The polarizer will saturate the sky and remove reflections off water/glass, but darkens the entire scene equally. A graduated neutral-density filter is half dark and half clear so that the sky can be darkened to more closely match its exposure with the foreground.

To love this comment, log in above
September 15, 2005

Kathy L. Pollick

Well, I wish I would have known that when I bought my polarizing filter. I got it purposely for brightening the sky, but I didn't know it darkened everything equally. Now I'll have to go buy the neutral density filter. That sounds more like what I wanted. Does that affect water any? Of course, I haven't learned to photograph water yet, but to get either the water photographed as the "flowing" effect or the "stopped motion" effect, does the density filter have any bearing on how it appears, colorwise?

To love this comment, log in above
September 15, 2005

Jon Close

Neutral density filters block all light and colors equally. To get slower shutter speeds for flowing water, one would use a regular neutral-density filter rather than a graduated ND. For stopped motion, one needs higher shutter speeds, so would not use a neutral density or other light-blocking filter.

To love this comment, log in above
September 15, 2005

Peter K. Burian

Kathy: A polarizer does not really darken everything. It wipes glare from reflective surfaces, so colors are richer. And if the sky is blue, it makes the blue richer and deeper.
Also, the polarizer increases color contrast.
But the effect can be excessive at times. Watch the effect changing in the viewfinder as you rotate the polarizer. When it looks right (and not excessive), take the shot.
Is it also possible that your photos are underexposed? For example, too dark because of inadequate exposure? You should be able to fix that if it's not too serious. In Adobe programs, Levels can be very useful for that purpose. Or Brightness. (IMAGE ... ADJUST ... LEVELS or BRIGHTNESS/CONTRAST)
Regards
Peter Burian, Digital Photography instructor
http://www.betterphoto.com/photocourses/PBN01.php

To love this comment, log in above
September 15, 2005

This old forum is now archived. Use improved Forum here

Report this Thread