How to Use Polarizers to Enhance Color & Cut Glare (VIDEO)

Many skilled out of doors photographers by no means depart residence and not using a polarizing filter, whether or not they’re capturing panorama, nature, or journey photographs. In actual fact, some skilled shooters declare this reasonably priced instrument is primary on their checklist of reasonably priced photograph equipment.

The polarizing filter accomplishes two main duties; 1) eradicating glare from non-metallic objects like water in a lake or stream, and a couple of) dramatically rising saturation with pale blue skies, and colourful topics bathed in daylight like colourful fall foliage.

Right here’s the catch: The highly effective polarizer solely works it’s magic in case you use it correctly—in any other case you’ll merely lower publicity by up to two stops. It’s additionally essential to keep away from overdoing the impact in case you’re after natural-looking outcomes.

“Photo Biker” Mike Browne is knowledgeable British journey and nature photographer who’s so recognized as a result of he continuously travels to areas on his motorbike. He’s additionally an adept teacher, and on this episode he explains every part you want to know for harnessing the ability of a polarizer.

In contrast to different filters, the energy of a polarizer is managed by rotating its entrance ring: Flip it in a single course and the impact is step by step elevated, whereas rotating the filter the opposite means offers a extra refined look.

If you happen to’ve been unsuccessful utilizing a polarizing filter previously, it’s probably since you did not understand that they solely do their job whenever you’re camera is positioned at sure angles to the solar. Browne explains how polarizers work, and the right means to make use of them to darken skies, cut back reflections and glare, and extra.

You could find extra useful recommendations on Browne’s popular instructional YouTube channel, so ensure and have a look.

And on a associated subject, take a look at the tutorial we posted lately with a number of easy ideas for utilizing ND filters for long-exposure pictures.