Polarizing Filters and Fall Colors

I have a couple of polarizing filters that I picked up for my bag; one for the wide-angle lens and one to put on the other ones. Before in the fall, I just used my point-and-shoot Canon Powershot; now I have an SLR, and filters are an option.

I'll be shooting a lot of fall colors later this week on some daytrips, and am wondering if I should make use of the filter? I know it brings out a nice blue to the sky, but if I'm shooting at sunset will this mess up the sky? And how do leaves look on it? I'm planning on using the filter, and got the following tip from a newsletter from Olympus:

>>By using a circular-type polarizing filter, or PL filter, you can eliminate the stray light reflected off the leaves and bring out the brilliant original colors of the foliage and the deep, vivid blue of the sky. On some models you cannot directly attach filter to the lens, but you can always simply hold the filter manually in front of the camera's lens and achieve the same effect. Since using a PL filter reduces the amount of light, you may need to use a tripod to stabilize the camera during the longer exposure.<<

Should I leave it on throughout the day or take it off? I do have Elements so can always doctor images up later, but do want to capture some nice colors.

Thanks,
Paul

 

Yes, a CPL will help your fall colors. I say definitely make use of it.

 

This article might help you: Autumn (Fall) Photography - Capturing Colours

 

Padre,

Bear in mind that one of the advantages of an SLR is WYSIWYG and that includes the effect of a polarizer. DON'T FORGET to rotate it to get the best coloration and always rotate clockwise (so that you don't accidentally unscrew it and drop it).

By the way, the effect of a polarizer is the one thing that you can not do "after the fact."

 

Sounds like it'll be helpful and I look forward to the results. Sunny skies are predicted, and Minnesota has some great spots. Going to the North Shore Thursday and to southern Minnesota Friday near Lannesboro to Winona on a nice byway. I'll be curious to see how the filter handles things.

 

Great little article...thanks for the link!

 

Why is there different mm's on filters? I don't know which one to choose. My lens is Nikkor 18-200 mm vr.

 

It's the diameter of the filter. You have to get one that's the same size/diameter as your lens for it to fit/screw on.


Your 18-200mm is 72mm.

 

Because of the difference in objective lens sizes, which decides how large the body needs to be. If you look on the inside of your lens cap the size is right there for you Daisy.

 

Right now she's saying DOH!, cause shes been around long enough she knew that... :lmao: