The polarizer cuts glare and reveals the amazing, vibrant colors hidden beneath.
This week, as part of the In Camera Magic: The 12 Essential Creative Options photography course, I shared with you three essential tools that every photographer needs to have in their creative arsenal of options.
- The Flash – A powerful tool that adds light.
- The Fader – A necessary tool that takes away light.
- The Polarizer – The must-have tool that cleans the light.
Of the 12 essentials, these three powerful tools aren’t options found inside your camera, but instead are handy tools that affect the light outside of your camera … before it ever enters the lens. Let’s focus on one that literally helps with every single photograph.
Glare on … Glare off – Seeing the World Through a Polarizer
If you haven’t started using a polarizer yet, then your life is about to change. Polarizing filters cut glare and allow the true colors of the world to shine through.
We are used to seeing the world hidden under glare. Our minds are tricked into thinking life with glare is normal. But, our images don’t have to be that way.
When used correctly, skies become bluer, leaves become greener, flowers become more vibrant, water becomes more transparent and people, well, they become richer in color.
Cabo San Lucas and the Effects of a Polarizer
There are just two things to remember when using a polarizer.
- They have to be used at the right angle to work.
- They have to be turned.
Cutting glare is easy. Simply find the right angle and turn your polarizer … the effect is immediate and the results are, as you will see, astounding.
Focused Practice Session
Take you polarizer out for a spin … first, without your camera.
- Hold the polarizer to your eye (thread side by your eye) and look at the world.
- Turn it until you notice a difference.
- You may need to move around and change your angle to make it work, but it will work.
- Look at every surface, both indoors and outdoors, and take note of the effects glare has and the power the polarizer has at removing it.
- You will soon recognize the world with glare and the world when glare has been taken away.
- Now put the polarizer on your lens … and never take it off.
Now, reminiscent of how Miyagi mentored Daniel in karate … go forth in the world and “Glare on and Glare off.”
Happy practicing!