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chrisbudny.com - Chris Budny

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Circular Polarizer - Orientation


When will a circular polarizer have the most effect on the blues in the sky? I've not quite made the connection when out shooting; sometimes the results are very pronounced, with extreme darkening of the blue as I rotate the ring, and other times, I can see absolutely no change when rotating the ring completely through 360 degrees... I recall reading it has to do with the angle of the camera/line-of-sight to the subject, and the location of the sun. Thanks!


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October 14, 2006

 
- Bob Cournoyer

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  When you are standing facing your subject, if YOUR shadow is to your right or left, the polarizer will work. If your shadow is in front or behind you, it will work very minimally or not at all.


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October 14, 2006

 
- Dennis Flanagan

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  For the biggest effect, you need to be perpendicular to the sun.


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October 14, 2006

 
chrisbudny.com - Chris Budny

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  Thanks, guys! (I believe you're both saying the same sort of thing!) Will definitely try it out on the next sunny clear day...


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October 15, 2006

 

Nobu Nagase
 
A handy polarizer info I used when I got my first polarizer.

http://www.geocities.com/cokinfiltersystem/polarizer.htm

Note the list of 8 tips toward the bottom.


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October 15, 2006

 

W.
  Wide-angle lenses are not recommended for polarizing skies, as a part of the sky will be decidely darker - more saturated - than the rest, and you'll end up with a 'patchy' sky.


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October 16, 2006

 
chrisbudny.com - Chris Budny

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  Thanks, Nobi & W, for adding your info!


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October 16, 2006

 

Ben F
  yep, 90 degrees to the sun

works best generally around midday when the sun is directly above, or when the sun has just risen or set, and then shoot 90deg from where it is.


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October 17, 2006

 

John Munro
  Chris -

One other thing to remember about the polarizer When shooting in the mountains the higher you go the less polarization you need to use. A little goes a long way.


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October 17, 2006

 

Dennis Creaghan
  Also when shooting panoramas don't use a polarizer or the sky will come out decidedly uneven, as I discovered.

Dennis


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October 17, 2006

 

Ben F
  Going with the panoramic issue,

i think sometimes the uneven effect can be quite effective, especially if its subtle.
Depending on lighting (time of day) and whats in the sky, ie clouds, you can get some really nice tones through the horizon, rather than just a simple saturated blue/white.

My opinion anywayz, who says perfect is perfect :)


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October 19, 2006

 
chrisbudny.com - Chris Budny

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  Thanks, guys, for the follow-up!


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October 20, 2006

 
- Usman M. Bajwa

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  Thanks for asking, Chris and thank you all for responding. I will also keep your suggestions in mind when next time I go out shooting with a polarizer.

UB.


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August 21, 2014

 
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