Circular Polarizer – A Photographer’s Magic Tool
As described in a recent post (click here to read it) polarized sunglasses can be used to help reduce glare and improve the colors in certain types of outdoor photographs. While polarized sunglasses do work, they can be awkward to use, have limited capabilities and are sometimes too small to completely cover the camera lens. If you photograph in the outdoors regularly, purchasing a circular polarizer is a great accessory for taking your photography to the next level.
Whenever I photograph outdoors I always carry several circular polarizers (one for each lens). In fact, close to 50% of all the daytime photos you see in this blog or on my photography website (rickbraveheart.com) were made with the help of a circular polarizer. Here are just a few examples.
There are many situations where circular polarizers can work magic with your photographs. For example, they can help reduce the sun’s glare on water, ice or window glass or remove the sheen on wet vegetation while allowing the camera to record truer colors. Circular polarizers can also help reduce haze from the atmosphere and deepen the blue colors in washed out skies.
What Are They
A circular polarizer like the one shown below is a round glass filter which attaches to the camera’s lens. It contains two round pieces of glass held together by a metal ring. Polarizers are available for DSLR and many point and shoot cameras. They typically can be purchased for $30 to $90 USD while a few of the more professional models cost upwards of $200 to 400 USD.
A Circular Polarizer
After attaching a circular polarizer to the front of your camera’s lens you slowly rotate the metal ring to increase or decrease the polarization effect while at the same time previewing the results in the camera’s eyepiece or LCD screen. When the scene appears clearer or the colors truer it will look the same way in a photograph.
The Trick To Using Polarizers
For photos that include the sky and/or landscapes, a circular polarizer is most effective when the camera is pointing at roughly 45-90 degrees from the sun. A quick way to estimate this is to extend your index finger and point toward the sun while extending your thumb to form an “L” shape. Now while still pointing at the sun, rotate your thumb clockwise or counterclockwise. Anywhere you can point your thumb is roughly a 90 degree angle. While polarizers have no effect when pointed close to the sun or 180 degrees away from it, their effectiveness improves as they approach that 90 degree angle.
Buying Tips for Circular Polarizers
While there are several types of photographic polarizers, for DSLR or point-and-shoot cameras, choose a circular polarizer. For DSLR cameras, you need to purchase one that matches the diameter of your camera’s lens, such as a 67mm or 72mm diameter. That diameter size is usually marked on the front ring or back of the lens. The most popular manufactures include Hoya, B+H, Kenko, Tiffen and Singh-Ray. Retailers that carry a wide selection include BH Photo Video, Adorama and Amazon in the USA and King Cameras, Park Cameras or Amazon.co.uk in the UK.
For Point-and-Shoot cameras, circular polarizers are available for a various models and the most popular are sold by two firms. MagFilter, offers filters for cameras like the Canon G12, G15, S100 or Sony RX100, to name a few. Another company, LensMate, offers filters for various cameras made by FujiFilm, Sony and Canon. If you have a point-and-shoot camera, visit both websites to see if a circular polarizer is available for you specific model.
A circular polarizer is a great photography tool. If you enjoy landscape or nature photography, consider adding one to your camera gear.
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Great post Rick. I recently purchased a circular polarizer but haven’t had much time to try it out yet. I have a question though which maybe you can answer. I always have a UV filter on my lens. Should I take that off to use the polarizer or should I screw the polarizer on underneath or on top of the UV filter?
That looks cool. I did buy that gizmo you talked about a while back that hooks to an iPhone.. Then we had a cold snap and I didn’t go outside, so it’s lurking in the bottom of my purse somewhere.
Thank you again for your expertise and inspiration. I do have a circular polarizer— I’ve even used the sunglasses trick— but since I carry my big ol’ Canon 40D in my purse everywhere I go, I don’t always think to grab my polarizer out of my camera bag. I just need to be more intentional. Thank you for the reminder!
Hi Trinity. Yes, those polarizers are pretty amazing at how they can help. How great you bought the Olloclip that I wrote about recently (a the device that adds three lenses to an iPhone). Sorry to hear about the cold snap that’s keeping you indoors but if you have a little time, there are lots of ways to photograph with them while staying indoors. In fact, all six of the images I published in that post were made indoors. In fact, the one photo of the ice crystals was made while I was indoors and photographed the crystals that had formed on the outside of a window, and, it was 7º degrees (-14º C) outside that day. Hope you have fun with it.
I bought one for my Lumix FZ47 while in Sedona. The sales associate put the circular polarizer on my camera and I left it on until we hit Phoenix. Then I wanted to take it off….long story short – I had to pay to have it removed and it was necessary to break the filter after 20 minutes. I really like your idea of the polarizing sunglasses….I’ve been playing around. Thank you for sharing
That cinched it for me… I’m going to treat myself to a couple of these for the two lenses I use the most. Most of my photography is outdoors, so this is a must for me! Thank you, Rick, for so much detailed information. You think of everything!!
I have made good use of the polarizer over the years. One thing I was curious about. I occasionally notice the polarizer seems to darken the sky on the left or right side more than the other even though it looks the same to my eye. Is that something I can control?
You always say the nicest things Lori. Thank you. Because there are many different manufacturers and two styles of polarizers, instead of getting two right away you might try just getting one at a time. Also, although they are slightly more expensive, consider ones that are “thin ring” especially for your wide angle lens. Sometimes the ring or edge of a filter when used with a wide angle lens) can stick out so far in front of your lens that it creates a dark edge in the photo (called vignetting). A thin ring helps avoid this.
Oh Ingrid I’m sorry to hear about your experience but please don’t give up on filters. What you describe happens to most photographers occasionally so I know something about it. For me it usually happens if I take the camera from a very cool location into a hot one, or the opposite. For example, if I attach the polarizer (or any filter) to the camera that’s been sitting in an air conditioned car or motel room and go out into the hot desert, the metal gets warm and expands. When that happens it can become more difficult to remove the filter. Usually, when I take the camera back into a cool environment like the air conditioned car or motel room and let it sit (sometimes for hours or overnight) the metal often shrinks and it can be removed. Also, to avoid that problem I’ve learned not to over-tighten the filter which might have possibly happened when that person put it on the camera.
Wow, I have to tell you Rene, I’m VERY impressed that you carry a 40D in your purse everywhere you go. To me, that’s the sign of a true artist in search of her subjects. How great. Also, since they’re easy to forget to bring along or have them handy when needed, you might try doing what I do and leave the polarizer on the camera and then remove it for taking those shots that don’t require it.
What a great question Lyle and something I deal with lots because so much of my work involves photographing wide landscape scenes or panoramas. Since this is something blog readers might experience too, I’ll explain it, and a solution, in a bit of detail.
Polarized light, and the effect of using a circular polarizer to remove it and enhance the sky color is strongest at 90° from the sun and nonexistent 180° away from it. As a result, the wider the landscape scene you try to photograph the more the intensity of polarized light will vary. When using a circular polarizer set to its maximum effectiveness with a wide angle lens, the result can sometimes be a dark blue sky in one area and a much lighter blue sky in the rest of the scene.
While this variation in polarized light is unavoidable there are a few solutions I use and that you may also find helpful when making extremely wide angle photos. First, polarized light is less intense very early or very late in the day, photos made then normally do not need a polarizer for lovely blue skies. Second, for other times of the day, and again only with very wide angle lenses, if you use a polarizer to enhance the sky color avoid rotating the polarizer to its full effect. Using half the intensity, or even less, for example, will reduce that variation in sky color.
Thanks Rick. That’s very helpful. When I think back, it occurred with my wide angle lens.
This post does come at the right time to me, indeed, Rick!
About a week ago I finally got myself a DSRL camera and have just been pondering about a circular polarizing filter and a post of yours I had read a while ago, regarding these kind of filters.
I’ll look into that as I will have to go back to the photo store, this week, anyway.
Thank you for all your beautiful tips. They are very helpful, inspiring and much appreciated!
My pleasure Lyle.
That’s great to hear Stefanie. In fact, when you go to the photo store you might take along your new camera and lens. That way they will be able to give you the correct size (diameter) filter. Also, if they have several choices (some cost much more than others) the store “might” allow you to attach different ones to the camera lens so you can try them out. If they allow you to do that, the best way to test them is to go outside and use them to take a few photos in different directions to see which one works easiest and best for you. If you do lots of outdoor photography, a polarizer is a very useful tool. And, I hope you are starting to have some fun with your new camera. Congratulations!
Rick, that’s a good idea to take the camera with and ask if they let me “try the filter on”. Thank you! Also I’m trying to see the gentlemen who sold the camera to me as he was pretty competent and very helpful.
I already am having lots of fun with my camera – yay! It just turned out that approximately we (my partner and I) will spend the first three weeks of March in Ireland, again, which will give me the opportunity to get some really cool pictures, there. So I shall look into that filter before the journey. I even heard it’s currently sunny, there (believe it or not!). *grinns*
Much love!
I always learn so much when I come to your site. I didn’t know anything about polarizers. I’m going to buy one for my most used lens and then return here to keep updated on how to use it.
Those are beautiful photos you used to illustrate this post, too!
I find this very useful. I always have a problem with outdoor photography. Either too much light or too little.
This is a very easy way to improve the quality of the photographs. I know what I want the Easter Bunny to bring me this year. 
Thank you so much for sharing this knowledge with us. Almost every time I read posts on your blog I feel like am taking a photography class. An extremely pleasant and fun one, with amazing photographs given as examples. Thank you, Rick.
Oh that’s great Cathy. With all the lovely outdoor photography you do already, I think you’ll find a polarizer will help you get many more successful shots with richer colors and in challenging light. And, once you get use to it, which is pretty easy to do, I’ll be looking forward to seeing some of them on your blog in the coming months.
Thank you so much Cathy. I’m truly pleased they spoke to you and , since you’re going to purchase one soon, they present a good selection of subjects and scenes in which a circular polarizer helped..
Nature’s beautiful dance of light is always changing. You’re not alone in your thinking because it’s something that challenges everyone who enjoys photography Anca. The good news though is that many of those changing lighting conditions also present wonderful photo opportunities to capture some amazing photos. I sure hope the Easter Bunny fills your basket with that gift your hoping for this year!
Thank you Rick. Oh and I won’t give up on filters….way too much fun.
That’s a great idea! (^_^)
Rick even though I dont have a very professional camera, and more often than not click using my Mobile.. the allotment pictures are testament to this , I still learn such a lot from reading about photography.. and so adore the photos which you display… Many thanks for sharing and many thanks also for visiting….
Sue
I’ve sure heard about polarizers but never completely understood all of what they could do until reading these past few posts. Now I know they’re something that would help me in my outdoor photography so I added one to my Photo Wish List. I learn so much from all you share. Thank you Rick
Again, thank you for sharing your vast knowledge! It is so appreciated!
Adding more praise for the polarizing filter….. I tripped on a curb I didn’t see (danged bifocals anyway!!!), fell and sent the camera flying to hit the cement sidewalk. Visions of a totally ruined camera whirling in my head…. only to discover that the impact hit right on the edge of the filter, leaving a VERY noticeable dent. Otherwise the camera seems to be doing fine. I’d much rather replace the filter than the far more expensive lens and/or camera.
Seems I’ve fallen behind here. Hope you are well on the road to recovery by now.
Hi Cindy and what a GREAT question you have. Since my biggest investment are in my lenses, I always leave my UV on the lens itself and attach/detach the polarizer to that as needed. The only time I might attach the polarizer directly to the lens itself is if I start to see “vignetting” appear–that’s a small dark ring that appears around the corner edges in a photo. It happens if/when something attached to the front of the lens (like a UV -and- a polarizer) stick out so far as to block part of what the lens sees. So sorry for the delay in replying, by the way. So sorry for the delay in replying, by the way. I’ve been getting over an illness.
If you enjoy the photos you get from your Mobile Sue, and especially since you have it with you all the time, then it sounds to me like you have the very best camera possible for you and that’s GREAT. Especially because all of my DSLR cameras have hundreds of menu selections and various switches I “could” and often do have to change for taking a photo, I honestly love the ease of use and simplicity of just picking up my camera phone at times, tapping the screen and magically watching the photo appear. Sorry for the delay in replying and thank you for the good wishes during my illness. { }
And thank you so much for taking the time to write such a great post as this which helps keep me inspired and writing!
Glad to hear too you feeling better Rick.. and yes I am happy that my phone takes decent little photo’s the ones you see on my allotment postings are uploaded from my phone…
Thanks for your response Rick
. I leave my UV filters on all the time too for protection, so I’m glad to know that I can just screw the polarizer on top. I did have the vignetting appear in a couple of photos, but at least I know now why it happens. Thanks again.