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Aug 3, 2022 07:54:07   #
AndyT Loc: Hampstead, New Hampshire
 
I've been shooting for many many years, but the essential polarizer that I always have with me just never seems to come out of the bag very often. So here is my very basic question, because although sometimes you're sure you know the answer, you often learn from someone with more knowledge. With few car shows in my area I can only see the classic cars when people post their images here on the hog. Many cars will reflect the photographer, his wife, and all kinds of distracting backgrounds. I know polarizers are effective to reduce reflections on or shooting through windows, and how they can affect skies and waterfalls, but would they have much of an effect reducing reflections on the side of an old Mercury? I am expecting the simple answer to be yes.

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Aug 3, 2022 08:04:44   #
rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona
 
Polarizers are great for all you mention. However, one has to be careful regarding which lens they use them on. Wide angle lenses don't go well with polarizers. Additionally, perhaps, those people photographing cars don't think of using one.
--Bob
AndyT wrote:
I've been shooting for many many years, but the essential polarizer that I always have with me just never seems to come out of the bag very often. So here is my very basic question, because although sometimes you're sure you know the answer, you often learn from someone with more knowledge. With few car shows in my area I can only see the classic cars when people post their images here on the hog. Many cars will reflect the photographer, his wife, and all kinds of distracting backgrounds. I know polarizers are effective to reduce reflections on or shooting through windows, and how they can affect skies and waterfalls, but would they have much of an effect reducing reflections on the side of an old Mercury? I am expecting the simple answer to be yes.
I've been shooting for many many years, but the es... (show quote)

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Aug 3, 2022 08:07:29   #
Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States
 
And polarizers don't work on mirrors, as in mirror finishes.

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Aug 3, 2022 08:10:10   #
Bill_de Loc: US
 
AndyT wrote:
I've been shooting for many many years, but the essential polarizer that I always have with me just never seems to come out of the bag very often. So here is my very basic question, because although sometimes you're sure you know the answer, you often learn from someone with more knowledge. With few car shows in my area I can only see the classic cars when people post their images here on the hog. Many cars will reflect the photographer, his wife, and all kinds of distracting backgrounds. I know polarizers are effective to reduce reflections on or shooting through windows, and how they can affect skies and waterfalls, but would they have much of an effect reducing reflections on the side of an old Mercury? I am expecting the simple answer to be yes.
I've been shooting for many many years, but the es... (show quote)


Old Mercury - Yes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-qm10SCJUs

---

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Aug 4, 2022 11:02:51   #
b top gun
 
I totally agree with "Longshadow" that polarizers are not effective on mirror bright reflections like polished chrome bumpers or, as I found out the hard way, on vintage WW II aircraft whose aluminum bodies have been polished to be mirror reflective.

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Aug 4, 2022 11:31:29   #
User ID
 
Longshadow wrote:
And polarizers don't work on mirrors, as in mirror finishes.

Water is a mirror. They work on water, glass, plastic, etc. Oversimply put, they dont work on metal. They will do little or nothing about people reflected in the side of the car cuz the angle of reflection is usually square on.

Shiny paint is essentially plastic, which is polarizable as is seen below:

The purple in the windows is from crossed polarization, first from the window glass and then again from the shiny paint. Also, the clouded sky is polarized by the paint.
The purple in the windows is from crossed polariza...
(Download)

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Aug 4, 2022 11:48:34   #
Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States
 
User ID wrote:
Water is a mirror. They work on water, glass, plastic, etc. Oversimply put, they dont work on metal. They will do little or nothing about people reflected in the side of the car cuz the angle of reflection is usually square on.

Shiny paint is essentially plastic, which is polarizable as is seen below:

It depends in the light reflected whether the polarizer will have any effect.
Metal mirrors, glass mirrors, any shiny reflective surface mirrors.
That's why one can see clouds reflected in office building glass windows, car paint, chrome bumpers, SMOOTH water.
It depends in the type of light that is reflected, not what is reflecting it.

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Aug 4, 2022 15:25:41   #
AndyT Loc: Hampstead, New Hampshire
 
Thanks to all for your responses and comments. I guess if it's possible, changing your angle would help then.

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