Polarizing Filters

SlamDesi wrote:

I'm will Peter on this one. I used to slap a polarizer on quite a bit but, I find 'em to make the sky unnaturally dark. With software, one can tweak that in a bit if necessary anyway. I find them more useful in adjusting the reflections on water. I have a couple of different CPLs and they're a lot different in the variance of effect and how subtly you can apply it. Thanks for posting it, Manual.

Like you, I have found a lot of differences in degree of effect from different polarize filter manufacturers. It's one of the reasons I like the current CPLs I use. It has a strong and very rapid response to reflected light. It's easy to find maximum polarization effect. Although I must say, I see the potential benefit of finding some balance between full and non.

The big issue with CPLs is how they darken the sky. You can get it to go black under the right conditions. If you are looking for "naturalness", this is a problem.

Outside of the sky, to my eye, it is the increased contrast and clarity that is most intriguing. The elimination of all that reflected light makes increases contrast, sharpens the edges, colors a bit deeper, leaves more pronounced, etc. Can you dial down the blue sky effect and still get the pop for the polarization effect? I'm willing to find out.

Personally, I don't mind the dark sky. In this context I'm trying to show the power of the steeple in getting people to see the church. A dark featureless sky makes the steeple front and center.