CocoaRoger Loc: Cocoa Florida

I'm watching a photography show and they said when doing landscapes etc... to ALWAYS use a polarizing filter. They said it makes a huge difference with colors and glare but didn't show any example. So I was wondering what everyone else not only has to say but maybe some examples as well? Thanks

TucsonCoyote Loc: Tucson AZ

Go to Google images and ask the question, you will get examples plus lots to read ! :)

CocoaRoger Loc: Cocoa Florida

good idea thanks, meanwhile on this show they are shooting a waterfall at night. Something I would never have thought of doing. He wants to illuminate the fall yet get stars in the background so he set his ISO 1600, F stop 4 and a twenty second exposure but then he took a flashlight and shined it up and down and around the waterfall so the exposure gives him a almost glowing waterfall while still seeing the stars in the sky. Heck of an idea.

TucsonCoyote Loc: Tucson AZ

Yes! ....photographers are just crazy sometimes ....plus they will pass on some crazy ideas to others ! :thumbup:

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

The best way to figure out what a polarizing filter can and cannot do is to simply put one on and play around with it for an afternoon or two. Only then will you know when such a filter is useful and when it is not. To ALWAYS use a polarizing filter for landscape photography is silly. There are many situations when a polarizing filter will not do anything of significance to the image, particularly on overcast days.

CHOLLY Loc: THE FLORIDA PANHANDLE!

Not crazy.... CREATIVE! :thumbup:

Bret Loc: Dayton Ohio

This shot was taken with a 20mm lens with a B&W polarizer filter...it defiantly will help with color...water reflections. The trick is to know how to use it.

Elliern Loc: Myrtle Beach, SC

What show were you watching and who was the photographer?

I tried one for shooting birds on water, but was constantly having to adjust it. It just became a pain to use. I may try again, because I also was told to always have one when shooting subjects on the water. Maybe I need a better one, that stays where I set it. Or maybe they always need to be reset for each shot, and I have to get used to that. I just used it one time.

CHOLLY Loc: THE FLORIDA PANHANDLE!

Hmmmmm...

Was your lens and internal focusing model... or did the front element rotate?

Let me also add that the polarizer works by blocking extraneous light coming into the lens at angles other than the one at which the polarizer is set. So if you move the camera in ANY direction between snaps, chances are you WILL have to readjust polarizer. Perfectly normal.

Elliern Loc: Myrtle Beach, SC

Thanks, Cholly. The filter rotates. So, since I was shooting mostly bifs, I was definitely moving the camera. I guess I should try it again until I get used to using it before giving up on it.
Now....what is an internal focusing model?
Thanks again

CHOLLY Loc: THE FLORIDA PANHANDLE!

Now... when you say the filter rotates... does it rotate when you are focusing with your hands on the lens and NOT on the filter? Because if it does, then you can't really use it on that lens without racking up first, then going back and readjusting filter.

Internal focusing lenses focus by moving the elements inside the barrel, usually without turning the front element or the filter thread attached to it.

daninr8 Loc: Western Slope of Colorado

Another thing to think about is some polarizing filters are meant for the film cameras. I have a Circular Polarizing Filter and don't have to adjust it between shots. It's actually meant for the digital camera. Try a HOYA brand CPL before you actually decide to not use a PF at all.

Elliern Loc: Myrtle Beach, SC

Which Hoya? I want it for my Canon sx50 so needs to be 58mm. Saw 2 on amazon the Hoya pro cpl made in Japan and a newer one that is glass made in the Phillipines. B&H also has the one made in Philllipines. Neither is very expensive. $35 at B&H and the Hoya Pro and the newer model are both priced under $20 on Amazon.

daninr8 Loc: Western Slope of Colorado

The one I use is called a HOYA 58mm PRO1D Digital Circular Polarizing Filter.

nekon Loc: Carterton, New Zealand

Polarizers are grey in colour, and you need to sacrifice up to two stops in exposure to use one. The front part of the filter can rotate to adjust the amount of polarization. The proper, intended use for these filters, is to cut glare and reduce reflections from all materials except shiny metal objects. A polarizer will help you to see through the glare of a river or a lake’s surface. Wildlife and nature photographers use polarizers sparingly, to cut the sky’s reflection on animal fur and feathers, and the land itself. To set a polarizer for such images, you point it at something earthy-brown in colour-this can be a tree bark, dirt, etc., then the front lens of the filter is rotated to give the brown dirt a dark chocolate-y colour-then it is ready to use for your nature, landscape and wildlife images. Polarizers can also deepen blue skies, making white clouds stand out, but realise that over-use can accentuate noise in blue skies. To cut glare the camera needs to be at 30 degrees to the water surface, or shop window to work 100%.To use for darkening the blue in skies, the camera needs to be around 90 degrees to the sun to have any visible effect, you just turn the front element to the shade you desire.