Monthly Photo Tip - September 2009

Polarizing Filter: I always strive for the optimal image to keep the software post processing to a minimum. There are certain unavoidable things that have to be optimized in the post processing steps before arriving at your final photographic image; sharpening for example is one of them. However, my post processing work flow usually allows me not to spend too much of my time in front of a computer working on my images. I prefer to spend the saved time in the outdoors taking photographs or just experiencing nature's beauty ... or lately on Fine Art America. In order to keep it this way I almost always have one or the other filter attached to my camera. If there is one filter that I can not spare it is the polarizing filter. It is always attached to my camera. This filter screws onto the front of your camera lens and when the filter is rotated it adjusts the amount of polarized light reflecting from the photographic subject. A circular polarizing filter boosts color and balances the contrast; it eliminates glare and reflections. Think of it as sunglasses for your camera. Overall, these filters increase color saturation, boost blue sky, add cloud contrast, control reflections and add neutral density to lengthen exposure times for blurred, impressionistic images. Last, when buying a polarizing filter ensure to get one for your largest lens diameter. Lenses with smaller diameters can be equipped with adapters allowing the larger filter to be mounted on the smaller sized lens. This will keep you on budget and lowers the weight of your photo gear in the field.