What you can do with Polarising Filters by Paul Greening

The filter cuts the reflection
and allows you to see
what’s under the surface    

If you have used ever used polarised sunglasses you will have an idea of what they can do to reduce glare and reflections.

In photography you can get a polarising lens filter that does a similar thing.


By rotating the polarising filter on your lens you can cut out most reflected light from things like water, rocks, vegetation and glass.

Also when doing this you will find that there is much more depth of colour to your pictures.

Using the filter to darken the sky

A polarising filter blocks out light from a specific direction

With photos of deep blue skies and striking clouds, it’s likely that a polarising filter was used. Reducing overall exposure, the photographer can darken an image, adding intensity and clarity to a scene.

A polarising filter reduces glare and reflections on non-metallic surfaces such as water, rocks or glass.  It can remove shine on foliage and make water appear transparent.

Polarising filters work best when shooting at a 90-degree angle to the sun. The ring can be rotated accordingly. They don’t work well with wide-angle lenses. because these lenses collect light from various directions which can cause uneven light distribution in an image, such as the sky appearing darker in some parts than others.

Reduces Reflections from Non-metallic Surfaces

This allows the natural colour and detail of what is beneath to come through. Reflections from a window into a dark interior can be much reduced, allowing it to be seen through.

Polarizing filters can be rotated to maximise or minimise admission of polarised light. They are mounted in a rotating collar for this purpose. Rotating the polarizing filter will make rainbows, reflections, and other polarized light stand out or nearly disappear depending on how much of the light is polarized and the angle of polarization.

Areas where polarising filters can have the biggest impact:

• Water – When shooting a picture of water adjusting your polarising filter will mean you see into the water differently, cutting out glare and even changing the colour of the water.
• Sky – The colour of sky can change remarkably using a polarising filter. Rotating the filter you’ll see a blue sky change from a light pale blue to a deep blue colour. A polarising filter can cut out a lot of the smoggy haze that is often in city shots.
• Colour – Polarizing filters cut down the reflection on many objects that you think may not reflect at all. This makes the colours of some of these objects more vibrant. You will notice foliage on trees looking greener than you would get without the filter.
• Reflections – Shooting through glass can be challenging at times and using a polarising filter can assist in cutting down reflections or glare. Also photographing shiny objects (like a new car) with a polarising filter will change the way reflections are treated.

Reflections are often unwanted, and glare will wash out an image. Polarizing filters counter the reflective measures and will deepen blues and add contrast to skies, reduce or remove reflections from water and windows, and increase contrast and saturation.

Water with the filter cuts reflection and brings out the colours in the water, trees and sky

Water without filter