How to Use a Polarizing Filter With a Camera Lens

Light travels in waves. When light strikes an object it is modified by the object. Light is absorbed by dark objects and reflected by objects like water, glass or rocks. To eliminate unwanted reflections in specular highlights, photographers use a filter on their camera lenses called a polarizing filter. This filter will allow you to control unwanted reflections from glass or water in your photographs. It can also be used to deepen the color of the sky or increase the differences between a cloud and the sky. It will remove glare from most views, but will have little impact on metal objects, which reflect mostly non-polarized light. The following are ways to use a polarizing filter with your camera lens.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 35mm SLR camera (analog or digital)
• A polarizing filter of the correct size to fit the front of the camera lens

1. 
   The Polarizing Filter

   Screw the filter on to the front of the camera lens as you would any filter. You will notice this filter is different than most filters. It has an adjustment rim on the front of the filter. View your subject through the camera. In single lens reflect cameras you will be able to see the changes in the view finder immediately.

2. 
   Image Without Filter

   Take a number of exposures adjusting the filter between each exposure. This will allow you to view prints or see screen images to determine the impact of the filter.

3. 
   Image With Filter

   Notice the change in sky and the appearance of the rocks. Try taking pictures through a window and use the filter to minimize the glass reflections.

Tips & Warnings

• Use the filter for scenes with a lot of sky or water. Observe the changes as you turn the filter.
• You can do a lot of things in Photoshop, but removing unwanted reflections is difficult. It is definitely worth having this inexpensive tool in your camera bag.
• You can use a polarizing film with a non SLR camera, but you will only be able to see the changes in your exposures, not through the viewfinder.

[Vanillatte]

on 8/18/2008 Great article. I love my polarizing filters!

[Hapworth]

on 8/18/2008 I would love to had your camera expertise yesterday when I was out on the lake taking pictures of loons and ducks.

[Sush56]

on 8/18/2008 Great article! There is so much to learn about taking pictures.

[01KendraWrites]

on 8/18/2008 Your articles are amazing. I had no idea there was so much to photography.

[klnygaard]

on 8/18/2008 thanks for the tips. Your articles always make me want to take up photography. Maybe one day :)