Last month we had the opportunity to talk about photo filters and their recommended uses in each case. Needless to say, most effects can be reproduced digitally, but those who prefer the traditional method should definitely invest in some filters. Today we are going to study the so-called polarizing filter up close, which besides being simple and inexpensive, makes a huge difference depending on the situation.
Water, vehicles, metal structures... nothing escapes a lens when the photographer finds the place and the moment, although there are occasions when the environment simply doesn't cooperate. You can't ask the Sun to shine more or less, nor the sky to present a more vivid color, so the photographer must work around these limitations, and filters are their first allies. We recently mentioned the recommended use for the main filters, not forgetting the rest of the gear that a photographer should have in their backpack, but if there is a kind of “spearhead” among filters, without a doubt we fall into the territory of the polarizing filter.
What exactly does it do?
First and foremost, the role of the polarizing filter is to optimize the contrast between the sky and the clouds. In certain scenes, the sky is not as blue as we would like, but that changes with the help of the polarizing filter. Something similar happens when photographing vegetation. If the plant, tree, or flower is aesthetically harmed by an excess of reflection on its surface, the filter can attenuate that.
This leads to its other main role, which is to dampen reflections on metallic surfaces, glass, or water. This allows the filter to be very useful in situations where a certain transparency effect is sought, for example, photographing the rocks deposited at the bottom of the water.
In simple terms, the effect depends on the angle, and one way to test this is by placing the filter in front of a computer screen. Rotate the filter, and you will see how the passage of light changes. You will learn to control it in your camera with practice, and don't be afraid to make mistakes.
How much does it cost?
The best part about polarizing filters is that you don't have to sacrifice your budget to dark gods to get them. In fact, the market offers very good quality options at prices that would have been impossible a few years ago. Gloxy and Hoya filters are the first names that come to mind, with values averaging 20 or 30 euros, depending on the diameter of the lens.
Another detail worth highlighting is that stores offer them linear or circular. After many exchanges, the vast majority of users suggest beginners lean toward circular polarizing filters to avoid conflicts with the camera's autofocus, but they are so cheap that there is plenty of room to experiment. And this is where my work ends. Buy a couple of filters, grab your camera, and go outside.
