Filter Advice - your experience please

[cmcm789]

I was out scouting a location to take a photos of a town (5 miles away) and some mountains in the background. I had to hike up a snow covered mountain and wasn't able to set up the tripod due to the strong wind. With cold/ numb hands I took a few shots at about 3pm with the sun quite low.

The shot below has been processed to bring up some detail and contrast. The original RAW was very flat and hazy. the foreground fields have deep rich colour, but the contrast goes and the blueness comes in when looking at the mountains in the distance.

I have never been one for using a UV filter on my lens, but I do have a CPL. I didn't use it on the day as I intend to go back and was travelling light. I have read mixed opinions about the UV effect on haze, and even reviews which say a CPL would improve contrast etc for this sort of shot. I guess by the shadows I was about 30-45 degrees to the sun (behind me) so not the optimum 90. But would the CPL have noticeably benefited the photo. Would it have reduced the reflections from the white paint on the houses and brought down the glare.

When I go back it will be the same time of day and location.

Castlewellan by cmcm789, on Flickr

 

[4wd]

It is a bit messy, the foreground looks over contrasty if anything.
This sort of scene is always going to be a challenge to get exposure correct.
Struggling to make sense of of the exif data on flickr.

 

[ricky1980]

not really sure if CPL will help, cos the distance is the issue. the haze you have seen in your raw is probably the sensor capturing the light haze being refracted within the moisture/dust in the air. 5 miles is a long distance to your subject - the town. not sure how you go about doing this shot other than a really wide angel lens and a near by vantage point with a view of the town.

 

[LongLensPhotography]

Shoot early morning or late evening in golden light and clearer weather. No filter will change the light nor will it move away the clouds.