WHAT IS A POLARIZING FILTER AND WHAT IS IT FOR?

The usefulness of polarizing filters is only known to one who has one. It is impossible to know its usefulness and not wanting to get one or two. If your photographic equipment still does not have one of these filters, you need to read today's article. In it I will give you some example of the usefulness of these little gossip.

WHAT IS A POLARIZING FILTER AND WHAT IS IT FOR?

That's it, just: a filter. It is placed at the end of the lens (intermediating between the scene that we are going to photograph and the lens glass), and serves mainly for 2 things:

Reduce reflections on some metal, glass or water surfaces.
It enhances the blue of the sky in contrast to the white of the clouds.
It may have more useful situations but it is mainly used for the two previous situations.

EXAMPLES OF PHOTOS TAKEN WITH AND WITHOUT POLARIZING FILTER

Here are a couple of examples to illustrate the power of polarizing filters. In the following image, using a polarizing filter we get rid of the annoying reflection of the sun on the car:

Car with and without polarizing filter

Another example of very frequent use of these filters is the sky, which comes out improved and with a much more intense blue color:

Sky with and without polarizing filter

POLARIZING FILTER: TYPES, BRANDS AND QUALITIES

There are two types of polarizing filters: circular and square (also called linear). The most common, practical and easy to find are circular filters. They are attached to the objective by means of a thread and do not interfere at all. Even when we are in autofocus mode the filter follows the movement of the part of the lens in charge of the autofocus. The linear ones have the disadvantage that they often move (fall?) With the autofocus movement. There are polarizing filters of all brands and qualities, you will notice it in the wide range of prices Although you do not have to leave until one of 150 euros. A polarizer of the HOYA brand of 52mm in diameter could cost you about 20 euros on average and you can expect very good results from it. Ah, very important. Look at the diameter of your lens before you go to buy one of these filters. Otherwise the target may be too large / small. This all for today. You know, if you want to take outdoor photography seriously, you can't keep missing a good filter of these. PD: There are other types of filters, such as neutral density, protectors, or colors. In the following article I speak more extensively of all types of filters there are .