BetterPhoto Q&A
Category: How Do I Get that Photographic Technique?

BetterPhoto Member		Polarizing Filter for Anguilla Beach? Hello. What is your opinion of using a polarizing filter on a caribbean island? I heard it will make the sky bluer. But we don't want it to look dark (ie. dismal, rainy, late in day, too fake etc..) also heard it will make the sand darker(?) - don't want that at all - love WHITE sand. What will it do for water? Love all different blues of water but mostly the bright light colored water such as Shoal Bay Beach and Grace Bay. Will it affect it in a negative or positive way? I don't want the water darker. Want it to look the way it is. Trying to decide if I should buy one for this trip or take the pics without. My camera is a Minolta Maxxum StSi. I bought Fiji 100 and 200. Which speed film is best for beach? Thanks, Kathy To love this question, log in above November 25, 2002

Jon Close		A polarizing filter will let less light through the lens (1 1/2 to 2 stops), but will not "darken" the color of sand. The polarizer cuts reflections/glare off glass and water. Using it makes all colors more saturated (whiter whites, bluer blues,...). The filter can be rotated to control the amount of effect you want. See http://www.thkphoto.com/catalog/h/011pl.html and http://www.tiffen.com/polarizer_pics.htm and http://www.edbergphoto.com/pages/Tip-polarizers.html for examples and explanations. I'd go with ISO 100 at a bright sunny beach. To love this comment, log in above November 25, 2002

Judith A. Clark		Go ahead and buy one. They are inexpensive, come in handy when shooting water in full sun, and you see the effect as you turn it in the lens, that way if you don't like it for that shot you don't use it, you control the effect you want. To love this comment, log in above November 26, 2002

Kerry Drager		Hi Kathy: Great advice from Jon and Judith. A polarizer is one of the most valuable filters for outdoor photography - assuming you use it properly. Here's a tip that can add to your understanding of the filter: Whenever you're in doubt over whether a scene will improve with a polarizer, then (if possible) shoot the same scene both ways. In other words, take one photo WITH the filter and another one WITHOUT it. Then compare the results later. With this technique, you'll really learn about the types of scenes that can benefit from the polarizer and about what scenes won't. Good luck! Kerry To love this comment, log in above November 27, 2002

This old forum is now archived. Use improved Forum here Report this Thread