Polarizers are amazing.

[SKnight]

Just screwing around trying this and that I made two shots that really compare the effects of a polarizing filter. Mine's a variable, I turned it to max effect for the first pic, then to minimum for the second.

http://orpheus.smugmug.com/photos/363332868_QxYMs-M.jpg

http://orpheus.smugmug.com/photos/363333568_fNBzx-M.jpg

This stuff is so cool when it works!

[Luminodio]

you have what is called a "circular" polarizer and it works in ordinance (or degree, in this instance) with your position to the sun.

for maximum polarization, the incoming light must have an incident angle of 30 degrees, and the camera is aimed at the subject at an angle of 30 degrees from the other side. i hope those numbers do your head more good than hurt. despite the outcome, remember to have keep shooting and have fun with it!