How to Use a Circular Polarizing Filter in Photography

Circular polarizing filters are one of two kinds of polarizing filters. They stream the amount of light coming into your camera lens and allow you to reduce the amount of glare on an object. If you're photographing water, windows or any other kind of reflective surfaces, polarizing filters help you create a clear image.

Instructions

1. Screw your circular polarizing filter onto your camera. Make sure to only use the polarizing filter on your lens. Other filters will block the image.

2. Check for a new exposure. Depending on the toning of the filter, your exposure will change to a lower shutter speed or higher aperture. Make sure to adjust it for a well-exposed shot. For this reason, try to use your camera to meter, rather than a light meter. Some photographers suggest adjusting your aperture by 1.5 stops to compensate for the filter, but test your own lens to be sure.

3. Point your camera away from the glare or light source. Approach the glare at an angle. If shooting in sunlight, point your camera exactly 90 degrees from the sun. This makes sure that your camera still catches the light's reflection but does not hit it directly.

4. Check your results. If you're unsure what the polarizing effect will look like, unscrew the polarizing filter from the camera and look through it. This will give you a sense of what your filter will block out.

Resources

• Guide to Using Polarizing Lenses
• Understanding Polarizers