Landscape shots with distant subjects like canyon rims or mountain ranges can often look hazy even under the sunniest conditions. One of the most effective ways of cutting through this haze and capturing a vibrant photo with saturated colours and a deep blue sky is to use a polarizing filter. In this workshop we’ll show you everything you need to know.
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The photo of the mountain range, above left, may have been taken under bright, sunny conditions, but the result looks hazy and is lacking impact. The photo above right was taken under exactly the same lighting conditions only moments later, but with a polarizing filter set to deliver its maximum effect. The difference is dramatic: the haze has been eliminated, resulting in a much more vibrant image. In our video tutorial below, we’ll explain how to achieve this effect, and at the bottom of the page you’ll find a reminder of the steps you’ll need to take, along with additional tips.
Checklist: Using polarizing filters
2: With the polarizer screwed onto the end of your lens, turn the outer section to see the polarizing effect. As you turn it, the effect will increase and decrease, then repeat. Simply stop when it looks best to you. The strength of the effect also varies depending on your angle to the Sun.
3: To prevent your DSLR from counteracting the polarizing effect, set the White Balance to Daylight and consider applying negative Exposure Compensation of, say, -2/3 or -1 EV.
4: After taking your photo, remember to set the White Balance back to Auto and the Exposure Compensation back to zero. Unless it’s a bright sunny day, remove the polarizer and return it to its case.
Watch out!
Polarizing filters reduce the amount of light entering your camera, forcing you to use longer exposures. This in turn increases the risk of camera-shake, so when using polarizing filters, always take care to keep your camera steady.
Sometimes polarizing filters can make the sky an unrealistic colour. To avoid this, adjust the outer ring for a lesser effect, and also consider taking two shots, one with the polarizer and one without in case you end up preferring the latter.
Cheaper kit lenses rotate their barrels when auto-focusing, which will also turn a polarizing filter, changing its effect. If you have this kind of lens, half press the shutter release first to autofocus before turning the polarizer. When subsequently turning the filter, you may knock the focus very slightly, so once the polarizer is in the right position, half-press the shutter again to get the focus spot-on.
Equipment tip
Polarizers come in two main types: Linear and Circular. Circular polarizers, or CPLs for short, are designed to not confuse the autofocus or metering systems on modern cameras, so this is the type you’ll need to buy for your DSLR.
Hoya is one of the most respected filter brands, and if you can afford it, go for one of its ‘HMC’ Multi-Coated models for better quality. See left for prices of Hoya Circular polarizers.
Polarizing filters are quite thick and can sometimes darken the corners of ultra wide angle lenses. To avoid this, buy a thinner polarizing filter.
Source: www.dslrtips.com
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