Going Fishing - With a Polarizing Filter: Recently I was driving through Southern New Hampshire and stopped beside a little lake to stretch my legs. I came upon the scene of a man...

donmabry Loc: Fort Worth, Texas

Recently I was driving through Southern New Hampshire and stopped beside a little lake to stretch my legs. I came upon the scene of a man fly-fishing and couldn't resist the colors in the foilage. Here's my question. If I had used a polarizing filter could I have eliminated or reduced the ripples in the water and made it as smooth as that near the far shoreline? And, if the answer is 'yes' to that question, would it have also eliminated or reduced the reflection of the trees in the water? I was shooting with a Nikon D-7100 in early afternoon with a partly cloudy sky. Any comments would be appreciated.

Bill Houghton Loc: New York area

You would not have reduced or removed the ripples but you would have greatly reduced the glare (Silver) coming off the water, it would have made it appear flatter an in my option more betterest. I might have also increase the Depth of Field making the picture seem a little more vibrant.

SilverfoxDojn Loc: Long Beach Island, NJ

Just got a polarizing filter a few weeks age and cannot believe what it does for the color and glare in my shots. As Bill said much of the silver glare of the water would go and color of the trees would be better. Works best with a lot of sun. Takes the reflection off the leaves and brings out only the color. Live here by the beach and love the effect sky is more blue , clouds whiter, ocean blue. Only $ 20.00 from B&H ( did not get a real expensive one) Get one, you'll love it . Good luck DON

Bill Houghton Loc: New York area

Just a note on Polarizing lens. Let be know that on cloudless days, and using a wide angle you will get unwanted vigertion(spelling) showing up around the edges or in the center. Not in all photos but It can show up.

SilverfoxDojn Loc: Long Beach Island, NJ

Bill Houghton wrote:

Just a note on Polarizing lens. Let be know that on cloudless days, and using a wide angle you will get unwanted vigertion(spelling) showing up around the edges or in the center. Not in all photos but It can show up.

You're right Bill, did notice with only blue sky, edges darker than the middle so just twisted back a little on the filter and seemed to get better but can lose a little color in the leaves. But that's the fun of experimenting .

Papa Joe Loc: Midwest U.S.

donmabry wrote:

Recently I was driving through Southern New Hampsh... (show quote)

It may have helped some, but still a very good one Don!

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Would certainly be interesting to see the comparison, though I really like this image as-is!

donmabry Loc: Fort Worth, Texas

Thanks to everyone for the tips. I appreciate your help.

OnDSnap Loc: NE New Jersey

When in doubt, shoot with and without it...if time permits.

cthahn

donmabry wrote:

Recently I was driving through Southern New Hampsh... (show quote)

Read and study what a polarizing filter does? What you wanted to do would ruin and destroy this great photograph.

donmabry Loc: Fort Worth, Texas

Thanks, again, to all of you for your comments. Very much appreciated.

THEMRED7007

Bill Houghton wrote:

You would not have reduced or removed the ripples but you would have greatly reduced the glare (Silver) coming off the water, it would have made it appear flatter an in my option more betterest. I might have also increase the Depth of Field making the picture seem a little more vibrant.

Would the filter have increased, or decreased the intensity of the line?

Shakey Loc: Traveling again to Norway and other places.

As members have said it depends on how you use the polarising filter. If you have never used one before (or even if you have) here's a little experiment. Take your tripod to the lake on a sunny day. Set up your camera with a wide depth of field. Look at the scene through the camera and take a photo of the shine on the water. Now attach your filter and look at your camera screen as you slowly rotate the filter. You will see how the filter eliminates bright spots but also dims and eventually also eliminates reflections. Take photos whenever you see a change created by the filter. Have fun.

JCam Loc: MD Eastern Shore

More distracting than the reflection of the sunlight off the ripples of the water, what I noticed first was the 'yellowish' rainbow shape ahead of the fisherman at about the edge of the ripples.

It looks to me if the sun reflecting off the lens picked up the edge of the lens rim, but I don't know how you'd prevent that even with the polarizing filter. Perhaps, Photo shop a portion of the water with the ripples but no 'rainbow', cut & paste it over the rainbow?

Was the sun perhaps behind the fisherman's right shoulder thus, to some degree, in front of the camera?

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

donmabry wrote:

Recently I was driving through Southern New Hampsh... (show quote)

You will always have ripples in moving water. The reason you have reflections at the water line is because the water is still. Best time for great water reflection is very early because the sun hase yet to make the water move. Problem is getting up before the sun.