Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

I was wondering how that was purported to work.

hawleyrw Loc: Dayton, OH

I have one on all my lenses. Take your time and get the shot you want the first tine, using a CPL simply enhances the color so no PP is needed

Nikonman44

Polarizer's are there for a reason YES

At the moment in the field you probably wont have the software with you.

Use the filter and get the best shot you can and view it right there and then.

Back at the computer you can use your support software as you wish.

About the darkness? cameras are so good today with auto this and that but they can still be manually set to override what might seem to be an obstacle.

Have the ability to eliminate flare glare and whatever on the site. Yes and remove the filter if you have to.

dcampbell52 Loc: Clearwater Fl

Like the others here, I use them when needed. As for can you do the same thing in Lightroom with sliders? Probably... but why? I use them exactly the way that I did in film.. to cut reflections and glare on glass and water... In Florida, a polarizer is almost necessary... Why would I spend 10 minutes adjusting sliders on images that if I had taken them correctly by using a polarizing (I have circular and linear polarizers) I could just do my regular adjustment and move on, instead of futzing with sliders trying to get rid of glare. And it isn't a big deal as I have put adapters on all of my smaller diameter lenses making them all take 77mm filters and lens caps.. This greatly speeds up work and lessens the expenses.. It means that I only have to purchase one size of each filter (well maybe 2 because I may be shooting with 2 cameras) and I dont have to search for the right size lens cap as they are all the same size. My only issue was lens hoods and so I got 77mm screw on lens hoods too... this means that generally, I can use the same equipment without searching for the right size filter or cap. I would rather spend the time shooting photos rather than digging through my camera case or filter packs.

mrjcall Loc: Woodfin, NC

Lazarus obviously did not know about the concept of 'content-aware' in PS as well as AI (artificial intelligence). Replacement detail actually is available to us to a large degree now and soon, with AI content-aware, you'll be able to totally replace/create objects within objects within objects.....there will be no limit how an image can be manipulated to the photographer's desired end..... For the moment, and I do mean just for this moment, no software correctly replaces the polarizing effect so I'm with you in that respect.

olemikey Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida

I like them too, used em a lot in my film days, and use em a lot with digital. They definitely have their place in modern photography. Quality is important, as its another piece of glass (and I've seen a couple save a dropped lens). I want to look at Steve Perry's piece on them, sounds interesting. I have a stack of them for just about every lens diameter.

tomcat

Great idea for the filter adapter rings. I used to use those many years ago with B/W filters. Do you prefer plastic or metal rings?

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

"1. What instances do you use polarizers?
2. Can you get rid of the water and glass reflections with LR sliders?
3. Would they do anything related to contrast, saturation, clarity that I cannot do in LR?"

Buy a good polarizer, EVERYBODY needs one. My main use of the polarizer is to suppress or eliminate reflections from non metallic surfaces. I seldom use it to darken the sky.
I do not know about LR but I cannot do the same thing with my editors.
Yes, you cannot use an editor to improve on what a polarizer will do to your photography.

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

Thanks, Steve. Another fine tutorial. It never hurts to review things you think you know.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Today's polarizing filters work the same as those of years ago. The only difference is a manufacturing technique that prevents them from interfering with auto focus, etc. One cannot duplicate the results of a CP in processing. The other thing to keep in mind is that a CP becomes part of the lens equation. Don't put a cheap CP and expect good results. Also, similar to the polarizers used with film, the effect is most noticed when the camera is pointed 90° to the direction of the sun. Left or right of that point reduces the amount of the effect of the filter. Thus, they provide a noticeable change in effect with wide angle lenses.

My personal choice has been B+W Kaesemann nano coated circular polarizer. Superior construction and superior optical materials. The brass frame all but eliminates their filters from "sticking" to the lens. Yes, they are pricey, but then so was the lens on which you are placing the filter. I never leave home without one.
--Bob

ELNikkor

One of 2 filters I always carry

tmgoonan

I use CP on all my lenses. They have a useful function for boosting colors and reflective surfaces.

broncomaniac Loc: Lynchburg, VA

erickter Loc: Dallas,TX

Very informative. Thanks.

Bushpilot Loc: Minnesota

I often do "car show" photos in the summertime and mostly need the polarizer to remove or reduce reflections on the painted surfaces and windows of the cars.