Hi everyone, i'm new to photography, and was wondering if anyone can help, going on a safari in a few weeks and i've been told a polarizing filter will improve my pictures of the wildlife, but from what research i've done i can mostly see it's mainly used for landscape pictures, reducing reflections etc, if anyone can give me some advice it will greatly appricated. thanks.
Advice for a polarizing filter
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StewartR
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Hi fish, and welcome to TP.
Basically speaking, polarising filters cut out reflections. One use is to reduce the unwanted glare from reflective surfaces such as cars, windows, water, etc. Another use is to darken a blue sky (which works since the blue colour is caused by the scattering of sunlight).
One notable side-effect of using a polariser is that you need to use a slower shutter speed (typically 1.5 to 2 stops slower) because the filter cuts out around 75% of the light.
On safari ... a polariser won't help animal photos and will probably be a hindrance, because of the slow shutter speeds. If you're taking landscape photos whilst you're out there and the sky is blue, a polariser can help.
Basically speaking, polarising filters cut out reflections. One use is to reduce the unwanted glare from reflective surfaces such as cars, windows, water, etc. Another use is to darken a blue sky (which works since the blue colour is caused by the scattering of sunlight).
One notable side-effect of using a polariser is that you need to use a slower shutter speed (typically 1.5 to 2 stops slower) because the filter cuts out around 75% of the light.
On safari ... a polariser won't help animal photos and will probably be a hindrance, because of the slow shutter speeds. If you're taking landscape photos whilst you're out there and the sky is blue, a polariser can help.
jerry12953
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Hi fish, and welcome to TP.
(which works since the blue colour is caused by the scattering of sunlight).
QUOTE]
I believe its the opposite to what you have suggested here. Light is scattered by air particles, which causes a reduction in the blueness of the sky. The polariser cuts out the scattered light allowing through only polarised light.
Skies are bluer after the passage of a cold front which contains fewer air particles, therefore less light is scattered. Also the sky is bluer vertically above where light has to pass through less atmosphere, and is therefore less scattered.
But apart from that I agree with what you say.
The best thing to do with a polariser is to try one out. You can see exactly what you will be getting through the viewfinder of your SLR. As well as the obvious effects mentioned above, they can have all sorts of subtle effects which you can use in your pics once you recognise them.
CopeImages
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Hi Fish,
For what it'll weigh and the space it will take up, I'd take it. On a non-technical slant, you can get some very pleasing effects with CP's. They work best when the sun is more behind you.
You'll get some very dramatic skies on safari and the effect of the polariser might be to your liking.
Put it this way, it'll be a good chance to try one out for yourself and see if YOU like the results. Like I said, it'll be no trouble to stick it in your bag.
Be sure to post some shots when you get back.
For what it'll weigh and the space it will take up, I'd take it. On a non-technical slant, you can get some very pleasing effects with CP's. They work best when the sun is more behind you.
You'll get some very dramatic skies on safari and the effect of the polariser might be to your liking.
Put it this way, it'll be a good chance to try one out for yourself and see if YOU like the results. Like I said, it'll be no trouble to stick it in your bag.
Be sure to post some shots when you get back.
jerry12953
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Sorry to be Mr Awkward again, but they are most effective when the sun is at 90 degrees to your angle of vision. No ifs or buts!
I have found that the most pleasing results in these latitudes come when the sun is low-ish in the sky- say about 2-3 hours before sunset or after sunrise. Definitely not mid-day, definitely not just before sunset or just after sunrise.
You will find in the tropics that the sun rises frighteningly quickly, so that special period early in the day when the light is at its best is very short. Blink and you'll miss it. Ditto before sunset.
StewartR
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Well, we're going a bit off-topic here, and unless fish is particularly interested in the physics of light we're not being very helpful to him.
But anyway: The scattering of light by air particles doesn't cause a reduction in the blueness of the sky. It causes the blueness. Without any scattering the sky would be black.
But apart from that I agree with what you say.