What special effects can you create with a circular polarizing filter?
Asked 6/30/2012
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I understand that a circular polarizer can darken blue skies, reduce reflections, and improve contrast. I’ve also seen mentions of cross-polarization and uneven polarization with wide-angle lenses. Beyond the usual reflection and sky control, are there any other creative or less obvious effects a CPL can produce? For example, I noticed mine can almost completely block the light from my laptop screen.
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
14y ago
2 Answers
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The main other "effect" that comes to mind is that if you polarize an artificial light source such as a speedlight 90 degrees opposite the angle of polarizing on your lens, you can dramatically cut the reflection produced by the flash. Think of how this might affect throwing a bit of flash into a shallow stream or tide pool. However, you have to be dead certain you know the angles of the polarizing material on both the lens and the light for this to have best effect.
Originally by user5270. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user5270
14y ago
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Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
One notable effect beyond the usual sky-darkening and glare reduction is cross-polarization with artificial light.
If you place a polarizing material over a light source such as a flash, and orient it 90° to the polarizer on your lens, you can greatly reduce or even eliminate specular reflections caused by that flash. This can be useful when photographing reflective subjects or adding light to scenes with water, glass, or shiny surfaces.
For example, if you use flash on a shallow stream or tide pool, cross-polarization can suppress the flash reflection so you see more of what’s beneath the surface instead of bright glare.
The key limitation is alignment: the effect depends on the exact relative angles of the polarizer on the light and the CPL on the lens, so it works best when you can carefully control both.
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