Quick tip: repurpose an old LCD screen as a polarizer filter

Polarizing filters are great, they enhance skies, remove reflections and reduce glare from photos. On the other hand they are usually big and not something you’d haul around for a smartphone. Here is a quick little hack courtesy of the Koldunov Brothers that builds a small and portable polarizer filter for your smart phone.

It turns out that LCD screens are actually made out of polarizing materials. The optical quality is probably not perfect, but for some fun cell phone photography it’s good enough. Here is what two LCDs look like when rotated against each other:

Just like a variable ND filter

The idea is to salvage the LCD screen from an old dead cellphone. I strongly recommend covering the edges with some gaff tape to avoid any cuts. Basically this is it. Place the dead LCD over your cellphone lens and presto – instant polarizer. Here is a quick side by side to stress the effect on removing glare: