How to Use Circular Polarizers in a Wide-Angle Lens

Using a polarizing filter can eliminate glare and lens flares from your photographs.

Circular polarizers are a valuable tool in photography. They work in much the same way as a pair of polarized sunglasses; polarized camera lenses can reduce or eliminate glare off water and other reflective surfaces. In photography, this means it can help reduce or eliminate areas of overexposure or lens flares. If shooting a body of water, using a polarizer allows you to shoot what's below the surface instead of just the reflection. Polarizers can also give a photograph deeper blue skies, stronger color and better contrast.

Instructions

Using a Circular Polarizer Filter to Reduce Glare

1. Attach the polarizing filter to your camera lens.

2. Frame your shot and meter your exposure. While looking through the viewfinder, turn the outer ring on your polarizing lens. You should notice the image getting darker and more vibrant, then lighter and more hazy. Use your own judgment to decide where the image looks the best.

3. Since polarizers significantly decrease the amount of light that enters your camera, make sure your aperture and shutter speed are letting in enough light. You may have to adjust the exposure manually if your light meter doesn't allow for the polarizing filter's effects.

4. Open the shutter and take the shot. If using a digital camera, review the shot and adjust accordingly.

Tips & Warnings

• For best results, stand with the sun at a 90 degree angle to your camera lens.

• Wide-angle lenses are particularly vulnerable to vignetting. Keep this in mind when purchasing and using your wide-angle lens.

References

• Polarizing filter tips

Resources

• How to use a polarizing filter