Thursday, December 10, 2009

Use Polarizing Lenses

A polarizing filter can reduce the glare created by water.


A polarizing lens is one that has a polarizing filter attached to it. These filters act similar to polarizing sunglasses and eliminate all light wavelengths that are not of an orientation that matches the filter. The result is richer colors and deeper natural contrast. Additionally, they will allow you to see through certain transparent surfaces, such as glass and water. When shooting, you want use a circular polarizer instead of a linear polarizer. This is due to the glass elements that split light as it enters the lens, which causes undesirable results when used with a linear polarizer.


Instructions


1. Attach the filter to the lens by gently screwing it on until it fits snugly. Do not force it.


2. Look through the viewfinder at your subject and gently rotate the front element of the filter. Notice any changes in the highlight and shadows as you rotate. If you are viewing an object with glare, it will be removed at one point during the rotation and normal at the opposite point.


3. Rotate the filter to your most desired appearance and take the photo. For best results, rotate the filter slightly in either direction to provide a variety of shots when editing.

Tags: linear polarizer, polarizing filter