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This is how polarized light works and how you can use polarizing filters to see crazy effects in-camera

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polarizing filters are something that pretty much all of us own as photographers. It may not be something we really use all that often, but most of us have at least one somewhere in our pile of camera bags filled with gear. But what exactly is polarized light? And how can we used to go beyond the usual popping of skies and foliage in landscapes?

Well, in this video from The Science Asylum, we take a deeper look into light polarization. We learn about what it is, how it works and how we can utilise it along with polarizing filters in order to see things that would otherwise be invisible to the naked eye.

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These are the only three types of lens filter you probably ever need

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Filters – no, not the Instagram kind – have been a part of photography and filmmaking for decades. Back in the days of film, particularly with black and white, they were often used to eliminate issues like excess UV light from the sun, to wrangle the brightness of the sky down to the relatively dark land for an even exposure, they were used to add contrast between different colours to black and white film or one of a multitude of effects.

These days, most of the problems we used to solve or effects we used to create with filters are done in post, on the computer. Now if you want to add contrast or alter the balance of colour in a shot, you just drag a slider. But there are some filters that are still valuable and useful in this digital age. And in this video, Mitch Lally talks about three of them and why he brings them to every shoot.

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What is cross polarization and how you can use it in your photography

Cross polarization is a technique that uses two polarizing filters – one on the light source and on e on the camera lens – to get rid of unwanted specular reflections.

The following slideshow illustrates the effect at varying degrees, depending on the orientation of the filters with respect to each other.

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The REVORING is the last step-up ring you ever need to buy for your filters

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I’m a big fan of step-up rings. I buy all my circular filters in 77mm diameter (the largest diameter of all the lenses I own) and then use step-up rings to be able to use them on lenses with a smaller diameter. It’s a great approach that saves you an absolute fortune because you don’t have to buy your polarizers and variable NDs in five different sizes. You buy the largest size you need and then spend $1-2 each on step-up rings.

But this new device, the REVORING looks like it wants to be the only step up ring you’ll ever need. It’s currently launching on Kickstarter, where it’s already more than quadrupled its goal, and it’s a pretty interesting concept. Although, it’s not going to be ideal for everybody just yet.

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Not just for drones anymore – PolarPro announces new DSLR, mirrorless & cinema lens filters

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When it comes to shooting photos or video on drones, it quickly becomes apparent that filters are key to getting the best footage. And the first name that springs to mind for drone filters is PolarPro. They’ve pretty much been the leading company for drone camera filters since they started taking to the air.

Today, though, PolarPro announce that they’re expanding their range to include larger lenses for DSLRs, mirrorless and cinema cameras with the new QuartzLine series of filters. It looks like their whole range for drones has been scaled up to fit the larger lenses in a variety of sizes.

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Gear Spotlight: Polar Pro Drone Polarizing and Neutral Density Filters

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If you’re flying a drone and want professional photos and video you need a set of polarizing and neutral density filters.

I have been using a set of Polar Pro filters on my Mavic for some time now, so I thought I would spotlight why I use polarizing and neutral density filters on my drone and some thoughts on the Polar Pro filters that I use.

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This is why you absolutely need a polarising filter

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Filters have largely gone the way of the dinosaur with digital photography. Lens filters, that is. The simple fact of the matter is that they’re just not needed now. We used to need a whole array of filters when we shot film. Solid colours to shift the contrast on black & white film. Variously coloured graduated filters to shift skies warmer. Now, you can do all that in post.

Colour shifts and gradients are pretty straightforward in Lightroom or Photoshop. But one filter that’s still essential is a circular polarising filter. It allows you to do things that are simply impossible in post, even with today’s digital technology. This video from photographer Christopher Frost explains why, with some practical examples.

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Use polarized lighting techniques to capture cool color effects

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Polarized light is light that has waves oscillating all in the same direction. There are two basic ways to get polarized light, from reflection or by using a filter. When light reflects off water or any other flat surface the light becomes polarized in one direction. It is common for fishermen to used polarized glasses to block the reflected polarized light (which causes glare) so they can see below the water better. The second and most common way to produce polarized light is with a polarizing filter. Polarizing filters were invented by Edwin H. Land in the 1930’s. Land developed an inexpensive process to align polarizing crystals and fix them into position with a binder. This polarizing filter became the standard for photographic and industrial processes.

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

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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.

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How to use a circular polarizing filter like a champ!

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Circular polarizing (CPL) filters are one of the most useful tools a landscape photographer can have in their toolkit, and in this video from landscape and nature photographer Joshua Cripps, you’re going to find out why.

Of course, they’re not limited to just landscapes, they can also help to cut through reflections and glare on glass and other reflective surfaces, so they can also be great for street, automotive and even portrait photography.

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