Polarising filter.

[Loz_Generator]

Seeing as I already have Lightroom, can i recreate the effect of a polarising filter by editing, or should i just buy one?

Cheers.

 

[bazooka]

I have not seen anyone recreate the effect of a CPL. If it was possible (which I doubt), it would probably be more efficient to just buy one.

 

[Joey_Ricard]

There probably is some goofy plug in for PS for that but

Dont be lazy, dont be afraid to use the tools that the grandfathers of photographic invention have worked so hard to provide for us lazy modern souls.

 

[analog.universe]

It defies current engineering to be able to truly reproduce the polarizer effect in software. However, this is also true of the tilt-shift effect, and some people get pretty close... I agree though, it is likely much easier to just use an actual pol filter.

 

[Alex_B]

you can blue up the sky in photoshop to some extent, yes.

But you will never be able to reduce reflections on water, glass, or even leaves of trees by using photoshop.

a polarizing filter is an important tool in photography, which cannot be fully replaced by software.

 

[tirediron]

There are plug-ins that try and recreate the effect of a CPL, but they don't suceed. The effect of a CPL can be very complex, and would be virtually impossible to reproduce.

Maximum effect of a CPL under [almost] ideal conditions (Note the sky and colour of the building)

Scene without a CPL

 

[MReid]

Nik Filters has a polarizer, works pretty well, costs more than just buying polarizing filter. A lot more effects are included however.

 

[bhop]

Alex_B's post pretty much nailed it. I shoot cars a lot. Glossy surfaces reflect everything around them. A polarizer is an absolute necessity for automotive photography.

 

[scorpion_tyr]

But you will never be able to reduce reflections on water, glass, or even leaves of trees by using photoshop.

a polarizing filter is an important tool in photography, which cannot be fully replaced by software.

Exactly. Software may mimic some of the effects of the polarizing filters, but it cannot and will not suddenly see through water that was captured with a reflective surface.

Also know that polarizing filters won't take the reflection off things that conduct electricity such as metal, they just work on insulators such as glass, plastic, etc.