How to use the circular polarizing filter?

Question

I recently bought a circular polarizing filter for my lens because I knew I needed it, but at the same time people told me I needed it after looking at my pictures. The front of the filter spins but how do I use it? Is there a technique? I am my own teacher when it comes to photography so I have no clue. Some sections of the filter, as you know, look bluish in the camera. can someone give me the A to Z of how to use this PLEASE?

Answer 1

The purpose of a circular polarizer is to minimize glare from anything shinny, sharpen and contrast the sky, and imporve saturation. You simply rotate the filter, while looking in the viewfinder until the glare is minimized. There is no real technique. If you've ever worn sunglasses that have polarized lenses you'll notice that the way the lens is oriented in the frame of the glasses is what achieves the anti-glare effect. If you were to rotate either the glasses or your head you'll see the same thing you see the filter do on your camera lens. If you look through the viewfinder while rotating you'll be able to control the level of polarization. The only way this will have any effect is on a lens that does not rotate while zooming or focusing, otherwise you defeat the purpose of the filter. Most modern lenses do not rotate while zooming or focusing, so you shouldn't have any problems. Each polarizer is different, so you'll just have to practice with yours until you get it down. Good luck.

Answer 2

In simple terms the polarizer reduces glare. These filters are extremely helpful in midday conditions where because this is not the ideal time of the day to take photos. I use a polarizer in all outdoor photography when there is day light. You should go to a place in your area with a lot of mom & pops or downtown where there are a lot of glass windows. Play with turning (or spinning as you put it) your polarizer and you will see how it reduces the glare. Also turn it up at the sky on a partly cloudy or clear day. You will see how you can get bluer sky in your photo or make the sky a little grayer. Those are ways how I learned about what the polarizer could do and the things it offered for some of my shots.

Answer 3

The polarizer will have the most effect at about 90 degrees from the sun, Make a "gun" out of your thumb and index finger. Point your gun at the sun. Where ever your thumb is pointing will be the maximum polarized effect.

Then rotate the filter until you see what you like. If you are using a wide angle lens, you will probably have some vignetting. Sometimes the sky can go un-naturally dark, but the white clouds should pop.

It will cut about 2 stops of light from your exposure, so in a pinch, you can use it as a neutral density filter.

Also it will cut reflections from water or glass.

If you only have one filter, it's the one to have.

Answer 4

A polarizer is very useful for reducing certain types of glare and to enhance saturation. However it relies on the angle of view relative to a POLARIZED light source, it is very effective at a 90 degree angle to the sun, but the effect diminishes as the sun becomes parallel to the lens. Rotating the filter element changes the degree of polarization but will have little or no effect if the sun is behind you or if the light source does not emit polarized light! Also it can have unexpected effects, such as making a rainbow disappear because a rainbow IS polarized light! Also be aware that the polarizer reduces the light reaching the sensor significantly so you will have to use a lower shutter speed or smaller F number when using this filter.

Answer 5

All of the other answers are good but another thing that they do well is to intensify the green in vegetation. Try taking pictures of green trees with and without it.