How to Use a Polarizing Filter

Polarizing filters are a useful creative tool in photography. When applied to the lens of a film or digital SLR, a polarizing filter can reduce glare, saturate colors and enhance photographs. Using a polarizing filter can easily reduce post production time on digital images, since they come out of the camera with some enhancement already applied.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• SLR film or digital camera
• Camera lens
• Polarizing filter

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1. Look at the base of the SLR camera lens. Determine what size of filter the lens will accept. Look for the word filter, or a symbol of a circle with a line through it. This number, followed by "mm," is the filter size. Purchase the correct size of polarizing filter for the camera lens. One filter will not fit on all lenses.

2. Attach the polarizing filter to the lens. The most common type of mount is the threaded screw mount. Simply twist the base of the filter onto the end of the camera lens until is feels tight. A top glass layer on the filter will continue to spin freely, even when the filter is securely attached to the lens.

3. Read the polarizing filter package. Look for information about exposure compensation when using that particular filter. Since polarizing filters darken a picture, the package will often recommend to expose images manually, and adjust the aperture setting by 1 to 2 stops of light.

4. Decide on the subject for the photograph. Polarizing filters are best used on shiny objects that reflect light, such as glass display cases, windows and the surface of water. The filter will allow you to see past the glare. Polarizing filters do not work on metals, chrome or shiny cars. Polarizing filters are also useful on bright days with a light blue sky. They can darken the sky, making clouds more pronounced.

5. Compose your picture. Put the focus on manual. Adjust the exposure manually with regard to guidelines on the polarizing filter package. Slowly turn the end of the polarizing filter to the left and right until the glare on the subject begins to disappear. Then, manually focus the picture and release the shutter.

Tips & Warnings

• Polarizing filters can be added to a lens that already has another filter applied. Simply thread the polarizing filter over the existing filter, and allow both filters to alter your photographs.
• Polarizing filters may interfere with the camera’s autofocus and auto exposure systems. Always manually focus and expose pictures taken with a polarizing filter to ensure sharp, well exposed results.