Archive for January 5th, 2009

Circular Polarizing filter

Monday, January 5th, 2009

I am got pretty much into photography lately. Even though I got my DSRL (Canon 450D/Kiss X2) almost a year ago, it is just now that I finally started getting taste of "the real photography".

And a few days ago, I got myself one very little addition called Circular Polarizing filter:

Basically, this is the most recommended-to-get filter for beginner photographers. Basically, it works great in the following scenarios:

  • when you need to get rid of reflections (or, "look-thru") a glass or water
  • and when you want to take "clearer", richer shots of the skies and greens

It does so by filtering out reflecting sun rays (more technically, it filters out specific light waves, or something like that..)

I took a few test shots with filter on and off, so you can compare how it works in reality.

Shooting thru the windscreen of my car, no filter

A few moments later, with filter attached

Thru the window of my house. Guess which one is with filter on :)

Now, how about the skies? Didn't work as good for my test shots, but well.. these were my first shots with filter!

Left: no filter; Right: filter on (a slightly bluer and richer skies)

Now, into the field!

Yeah I know I suck because I have deleted the image where I took the same fountain without filter, but believe me - you won't have chance in hell to take a shot thru the water like this one during a sunny day, with your bare-naked lens.

And in closing… more of an experiment than a really good shot, but still.. This one was taken with filter on, on a very sunny day, with sun at about 90 degrees to my right. Turned out to be a pretty interesting shot though..

There are more (and guess, better) comparison photos on Wikipedia, but still, first-hand experience is much more priceless :)

Shoot on! The price of my (mid-range priced) filter was 3600yen (which is little less than $40 USD). A very nice price for such an interesting toy, I'd say.

Oh and by the way, I have some of my more interesting photos (or rather photo experiments) on my sister-site at this link.

PS: Holy fucking shit do I hate the new wordpress' visual editor!! Can't center the goddamn fucking images…

Posted in Photography | 2 Comments »