Why EVERYONE needs a Polarizer

Was fooling around with my #25A red filter this weekend and paired it with my circular polarizer. Was pleasantly surprised (again) at the difference and decided to take two photos outlining why everyone who uses a camera outdoors should have a polarizing filter.

You all know that a polarizer can be used to darken a sky. You also know (or maybe you don't) that a polarizer can be used to reduce reflections off objects (most think of glass, or smooth water) ... but many forget that all objects give off a certain amount of glare and this glare can be reduced significantly with a polarizer:

I hooked up my circular polarizer to my Sigma 105 f/2.8, manually set exposure (so it wouldn't change at all between shots) and shot both of these photos in RAW. There is absolutely no post processing done to either of these images, they were converted from RAW with Photoshop CS resized to 800 pixels wide, saved as largest possible JPG (I do not "save for web"), and uploaded. The first photo was shot with the polarizer rotated so that it had no affect, the second so that the polarizer had as much affect as I could get. For the record, I own the cheapest polarizer I could find at the time. I think it's a Hoya but its not in front of me and I might be wrong. Please excuse the images, I wasn't going for a National Geographic prize, I just shot out at my backyard:

MIME changed to 'text/html' | Content warning: script

MIME changed to 'text/html' | Content warning: script

although there is sometimes of an uneven look when yoru doing a whole clear sky, depending on where the light is comming from, but it can be easily corrected.

you could easily make that first image look like the 2nd in Photoshop in 30sec

Doubt I would post a thread telling everyone to do something just 'cause I discovered some "trick." Sorry, but not everyone uses a poliz or needs to for "all" pictures. I can think of more pictures that do not need it than do.

05Xrunner wrote in post #2385431
you could easily make that first image look like the 2nd in Photoshop in 30sec

far from it.. not every picture can be fixed up in photoshop, especially when it comes to reflections and darkening the sky. on top of that, the contrast and color boost offered by a filter will alway be more natual and pleasing than what can be done by photoshop alone... how about we see your photoshopping of the first to look like the second and put your money where your mouth is.. and i can tell when you've cheated

gasrocks wrote in post #2385460
Doubt I would post a thread telling everyone to do something just 'cause I discovered some "trick." Sorry, but not everyone uses a poliz or needs to for "all" pictures. I can think of more pictures that do not need it than do.

Actually ... I didn't discover this trick recently, it's not a trick at all. And try reading the subject again .... it's titled, "Why EVERYONE needs a Polarizer" .... I never once said its needed for every shot. The implication was that it is an essential item everyone should have in their bag.

Bill

05Xrunner wrote in post #2385431
you could easily make that first image look like the 2nd in Photoshop in 30sec

Even if you could .... why bother? Take the best picture you can in the first place. Living to the idea that you're going to create a mediocre image with the hopes that you can hack it up later to make it better is striving for mediocrity.

Bill

I just ordered my polarizer for my 10-20mm earlier today. I can't wait to get it and play with it! I went back and forth as to whether I needed one or not. Then I did a shoot of an interior of a home and I got some glare off windows and some artwork on the walls. Can't wait to see if it helps! I shoot with a tripod for these shots, so I can afford to lose a few stops.

I'm a huge fan of Photoshop and have been using it every day for years, but it does have it's limits (especially with glare on artwork - that's tough to remove without damaging the image underneath the glare).

The point of my post was to remind everyone of the not-often-discussed benefits of polarizers ... not to pyss on anyone's parade. The most common reasons we see polarizers used are for reducing the reflections off cars (lots of that in the auto forum here) and for darkening of the sky. Even then, we oft see the finished photo with no comparison of what it would have looked like without the polarizer's help.

I was hoping to show those who've never used a polarizer some of the added benefits they would see if they added one to their bag.

Bill

Bill Ng wrote in post #2385345
manually set exposure (so it wouldn't change at all between shots)

Besides the sky, the most noticeable difference between these two shots is that the second is exposed darker, which is what happens when you turn a polarizer to maximum effect.

... and colors can appear more saturated when they're exposed darker.

The polarizer helped make the sky bluer in that shot, but the other differences that I can see are more likely just due to a darker exposure.

05Xrunner wrote in post #2385431
you could easily make that first image look like the 2nd in Photoshop in 30sec

I could probably do that and more in photoshop. Everyone doesnt need a CP but everyone should get a CP, including myself. I am finally in the position to buy one as all my lenses are 77 filter size.

cjm wrote in post #2385589
I could probably do that and more in photoshop. Everyone doesnt need a CP but everyone should get a CP, including myself. I am finally in the position to buy one as all my lenses are 77 filter size.

Don't forget, you can buy the correct size to fit your largest lens and use step up rings for the smaller lenses.

Bill

Bill Ng wrote in post #2385629
Don't forget, you can buy the correct size to fit your largest lens and use step up rings for the smaller lenses.

Bill

No that is complicated and ugly and now that I have 4 lenses, two of which are my mainly used ones I will probably buy the best of the best CP sometime.

Foliage is more saturated with a polarizer because plants secrete a waxy substance (fatty acids) to form their cuticles. Although it's great for plants because it decreases water loss to nearly zero, it's bad for photographers because it is a reflective substance. Thus, a polarizer has the same effect on it as it does on reflective water surfaces.

gasrocks wrote in post #2385460
Doubt I would post a thread telling everyone to do something just 'cause I discovered some "trick.

Why would you slam someone for trying to be informative and helpful? That's what this forum is supposed to be all about.

Maybe you've had a bad day.