When photographing water, consider using a polarizing filter.
In my previous entry, two great polarizing filter effects, I showed you how a polarizing filter can be used to cut out haze in the sky or on mountains, and boost contrast. But what does a polarizing filter do to water? Well, simply put, a polarizing filter reduces glare and darkens reflections on water. This may or may not be a good thing, depending on whether the reflections are wanted or not.
The two images below show you the difference. I took the first photo without polarization applied, and you can see that the sky and hotel are both nicely reflected in the water, helping to create a mirror image.
In the second photo, I applied full polarization to the scene. As you can see, the clouds are no longer visible in the water because the polarizing filter has darkened the water down and cut out the reflection.
Without polarizing filter
With polarizing filter
Lake Bled
The same goes for this classic view of Lake Bled in Slovenia from Osojnica viewpoint. In the first photo the water is much brighter without the polarizing filter applied, but in the second photo with full polarization the water has been darkened down. This has the effect of making the church and colours stand out more in the photo.
Without polarizing filter
With polarizing filter
Which are better?
Personally, I like them all. Each has its own appeal. What do you think? Leave your comments below…
So if you haven’t got one, get out there now and add this great filter to your camera kit. I recommend these two makes. I used the Hoya Pro Digital circular polariser for these two images above, which I still have. I also now use a Kase magnetic filter that came with their K9 filter holder. You can see what I think of this in the video below.
Get the right size for your lens
Be sure to check the diameter size of your lens so that you buy the right size filter. To do this, look on the front of your lens for the diameter in millimetres. As an example you can see on the righthand side of the lens in the photo here is 77mm.
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Lake Bled at sunrise from Ojstrica
The story behind the shot. Making a success out of failure.
The intention on this morning was to capture the sun rising over the mountains behind the island church of the assumption of Mary on Lake Bled, from the classic viewpoint of Ojstrica. It was likely my last chance, because soon the sun would move too far south for the autumn and winter.
Full Moon over Jamnik Church View
Coming up in a few weeks is the annual event when the full moon rises over the mountain peak behind Jamnik Church. Be sure not to miss it.
Working with Natural Light in Photography
I took this photo on an August morning from Zaosiri Beach on Lošinj Island during a second trip to this location. I had found this fantastic place the year before purely by chance. While the view of these islands had interested me, it was not the image that I’d envisaged at the time.
Camera Filters, are they still useful?
There are people out there who argue that camera filters are no longer necessary in the age of digital photography. However, there are some which cannot be simulated such as a polariser, and an ND. The fact is there are numerous occasions when a camera filter can and should be used.
What makes a great photograph?
What makes a great photograph? FInd out here in my first ever article for Landscape Photography Magazine – A Lucky Shot….
