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A polarizing filter has the ability to perform three functions. 1- Eliminate reflections, 2- Deepen a blue sky and 3- Minimize atmospheric haze. In this photo the filter deepens the sky and minimizes the reflection of sky light from each leaf surface making the leaf color more rich in tone. -
This scene doesn't use a polarizing filter to minimize the reflection off the water. Compare this photo with the next one to see the benefit of a polarizing filter. -
This scene uses a polarizing filter to minimize the reflection off the water. Compare this photo with the previous one to see the benefit of a polarizing filter. -
This first photo illustration was shot without a polarizing filter. Each leaf surface acts like a mirror and reflects glare which photographs as white. That glare will hide the color of the leaf. Look at the polarized version for the true color. -
This polarized version of the previous example displays the natural color of the leaves by eliminating the glare off each leaf surface. Be careful not to polarize the sky too much or it will appear black. -
Different strengths of Neutral Density filters hold back 1or more stops of light which allow the water to move during the long exposure and creates this blurred effect. This photo was made using a Canon 24-70mm zoom lens at 28mm, set at f/22 for 1.5 seconds and used a 2-stop neutral density filter and a polarizer that eliminated the reflection of the sky from the surface of the water. -
Most scenes that include a water reflection usually suffer from having the reflection too dark. Reflections are 2 to 3 stops darker than the subject. The graduated neutral density filter alows the photographer to hold back the brighter part of the photo and bring it into the same density range as the darker part of the photo. Check out the next photo for the comparision. -
In this example, I exposed for the reflection in the river which would have left the top half very over exposed. Then I used a 3 stop gradualted neutral density filter on the top half to hold back the brightness and make it the same as the bottom half. If your camera has a spot metering mode, you can meter both areas and that will tell you which of the three graduated neutral density (GND) filters you need to use. -
This is a typical fall colors shot where we want a reflection of the leaves in the water. Most reflections are 1 - 2 stops darker than the actual subject. If we expose for the trees the reflection goes very dark. -
This is the same shot but instead of the trees, I exposed for the reflection and used a 2-stop graduated neutral density filter to hold back the trees that would have been otherwise over exposed. The filter was positioned at a diagonal along the edge of the creek.
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