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Home: Video University Forums: Digital Photography for Videographers:
Anyone tried polarizer for outdoor shots?

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Brackish
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May 3, 2007, 4:38 AM

Post #1 of 32 (1927 views)
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Anyone tried polarizer for outdoor shots?	Can't Post

Wondering if this is a good item to use?
Good for people shots or just architecture? Or not even
worth the trouble? And what are the downsides to
using one?

StillMotion
User

May 3, 2007, 12:37 PM

Post #2 of 32 (1914 views)
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Re: [Brackish] Anyone tried polarizer for outdoor shots? [In reply to]	Can't Post

I woukld say it is a must for your equipment bag. I personally love the look.

We just did this shoot last week, a little more alternative than many may like, but I love the dram in the sky and that is 90% the polarizer.

Parick

Hmm, I posted the link to the images but thewy aren't displaying right, what code do I need to put around the link to the image to get it to show up?

(This post was edited by StillMotion on May 3, 2007, 3:43 PM)

Brackish
Veteran

May 3, 2007, 1:03 PM

Post #3 of 32 (1903 views)
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Re: [StillMotion] Anyone tried polarizer for outdoor shots? [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

Hmm, I posted the link to the images but thewy aren't displaying right, what code do I need to put around the link to the image to get it to show up?

Are you on PC or MAC?

StillMotion
User

May 3, 2007, 1:13 PM

Post #4 of 32 (1899 views)
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Re: [Brackish] Anyone tried polarizer for outdoor shots? [In reply to]	Can't Post

I'm on a mac, safari or firefox.

(This post was edited by StillMotion on May 3, 2007, 1:17 PM)

RustyB
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May 3, 2007, 3:16 PM

Post #5 of 32 (1884 views)
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Re: [StillMotion] Anyone tried polarizer for outdoor shots? [In reply to]	Can't Post

I think you might be putting more than the filename?

Faith Poison Wedding Films Blog
Intergalactic Award-Winning Epic-Cinematic Wedding New-Doc Style Indie Bridal Movies on Hi-Definition Blu-Ray Disc

StillMotion
User

May 3, 2007, 3:21 PM

Post #6 of 32 (1877 views)
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Re: [RustyB] Anyone tried polarizer for outdoor shots? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thanks Rusty, mind showing me how you did that. I tried playing with the filename but nothing seems to work...

RustyB
Veteran

May 3, 2007, 3:34 PM

Post #7 of 32 (1876 views)
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Re: [StillMotion] Anyone tried polarizer for outdoor shots? [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

Thanks Rusty, mind showing me how you did that. I tried playing with the filename but nothing seems to work...

I just used the "image" icon in the forum reply toolbar, and inserted your pictures filename, i.e:
http://stillmotionblog.com/.../2007/04/kerr092.jpg

No extra code or anything.

Of course, in windows, you can just right click/copy the image off your blog, and right click/paste it into the VU reply. (Or ctrl-c / ctrl-v)

I'm using Internet Explorer/PC

Faith Poison Wedding Films Blog
Intergalactic Award-Winning Epic-Cinematic Wedding New-Doc Style Indie Bridal Movies on Hi-Definition Blu-Ray Disc

Brackish
Veteran

May 3, 2007, 3:49 PM

Post #8 of 32 (1867 views)
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Re: [StillMotion] Anyone tried polarizer for outdoor shots? [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

I would say it is a must for your equipment bag. I personally love the look.

So, you leave it on for all the outdoor shots?

StillMotion
User

May 3, 2007, 4:14 PM

Post #9 of 32 (1864 views)
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Re: [RustyB] Anyone tried polarizer for outdoor shots? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thanks Rusty,

Problem was, Safari doesn't give you that extra toolbar, it has a completely different set of options. I loaded the site in firefox and it worked no problem.

Patrick

StillMotion
User

May 3, 2007, 4:16 PM

Post #10 of 32 (1863 views)
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Re: [StillMotion] Anyone tried polarizer for outdoor shots? [In reply to]	Can't Post

No, we don't leave it on all the time, but for an E-shoot it would be on most of the time and for a photo-session it is usually on unless there is fast motion, such as getting everybody to jump on a cloudy day. For the most part, it is on when we are outside and have time to attach it.

Brackish
Veteran

May 3, 2007, 4:29 PM

Post #11 of 32 (1860 views)
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Re: [StillMotion] Anyone tried polarizer for outdoor shots? [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

... for a photo-session it is usually on unless there is fast motion, such as getting everybody to jump on a cloudy day.

How does fast motion affect it?

Postal Boy
Veteran

May 3, 2007, 4:39 PM

Post #12 of 32 (1859 views)
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Re: [Brackish] Anyone tried polarizer for outdoor shots? [In reply to]	Can't Post

I'm guessing that anytime you put a filter in front of the glass it cuts back on the light, so having it on either means you slow your shutter speed down (motion blur), or have to open up the lense more (shallower DoF), or increase ISO.

I notice a slight difference when I have a UV filter on. It protects the glass, but does slightly affect the light intake.

-Postal

StillMotion
User

May 3, 2007, 7:01 PM

Post #13 of 32 (1843 views)
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Re: [Postal Boy] Anyone tried polarizer for outdoor shots? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Basically just a light issue. Since the polarizer usually takes about 2 stops, depending on the polarizer, when shooting with nikon and getting the wedding party to jump together on a cloudy day, they often came out fairly soft. Getting as much light as possible helps in that situation, but is much more of an issue with Nikon vs the Canon 5d as it is much more sensitive. Even with the fast motion, we would usually take two photos and expose one for the sky, the other for the people and then quickly merge the two. The sky photo is always so much deeper when shot with a polarizer.

Brackish
Veteran

May 4, 2007, 12:09 AM

Post #14 of 32 (1822 views)
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Re: [StillMotion] Anyone tried polarizer for outdoor shots? [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

... when shooting with nikon and getting the wedding party to jump together on a cloudy day,

You doing that cheezy shot??? Sly

Just giving you some sh-- here. Laugh

(This post was edited by Brackish on May 4, 2007, 12:10 AM)

StillMotion
User

May 4, 2007, 1:18 AM

Post #15 of 32 (1814 views)
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Re: [Brackish] Anyone tried polarizer for outdoor shots? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Well we try to have fun with it and put our own spin on it, but the problem is, oo many brides request it now so it is tougher to avoid. I hate doing shots like that where you can find them on so many websites. But at least thats where the post work comes in to really give it a distinct look.

Shadow
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May 4, 2007, 7:53 PM

Post #16 of 32 (1785 views)
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Re: [Brackish] Anyone tried polarizer for outdoor shots? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hey Brack,

I've done shoots outdoors with and without it and I prefer working with the polarizer.

Brackish
Veteran

May 4, 2007, 9:55 PM

Post #17 of 32 (1776 views)
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Re: [StillMotion] Anyone tried polarizer for outdoor shots? [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

but the problem is, oo many brides request it now so it is tougher to avoid.

Oh ... they request that shot.

I kinda know what you mean. I have on rare occasion had this with
video. They'll come up with setup shots - I never do setup shots
of my own - so I know they've been looking at someone else's
stuff. One example I had was the groom wanted what they're calling
a "flying V", where the groom and the groomsmen all
walk in a line that is V-shaped toward the camera. There's
a friend videog in the area who does this so I suppose I have
him to thank. The groom even suggested the song "Eye Of The
Tiger" (from the Rocky movies) to accompany it in the video.

Brackish
Veteran

May 4, 2007, 9:57 PM

Post #18 of 32 (1774 views)
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Re: [Shadow] Anyone tried polarizer for outdoor shots? [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

Hey Brack,

I've done shoots outdoors with and without it and I prefer working with the polarizer.

Hi, Shadow.

So, you leave it on all the time outdoors? What effects
does it do? I know still mentioned that it darkens the
sky.

Shadow
Veteran

May 4, 2007, 10:07 PM

Post #19 of 32 (1770 views)
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Re: [Brackish] Anyone tried polarizer for outdoor shots? [In reply to]	Can't Post

It helps with glare and it will boost the colour of the sky. Also, if you are shooting water normally you'd just see a haze but with a polarizer it would allow you to see through the surface of the water.

Would be good too for something like taking photos in a pumpkin patch or somewhere where the surfaces can be reflective. It will reduce that and just boost the colour.

Brackish
Veteran

May 4, 2007, 10:27 PM

Post #20 of 32 (1767 views)
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Re: [Shadow] Anyone tried polarizer for outdoor shots? [In reply to]	Can't Post

What does it do to skin tones? You leave it on all the time outdoors
in daylight?

Shadow
Veteran

May 6, 2007, 1:04 AM

Post #21 of 32 (1720 views)
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Re: [Brackish] Anyone tried polarizer for outdoor shots? [In reply to]	Can't Post

You don't need it on all the time, depends on what your shooting. It is circular so it spins around and you adjust it so that it looks best, darkest part to the top for the sky. But if you're taking photos without glare from the sun or without sunlight you don't need it.

Here's a polarizer shot: http://www.pbase.com/storycatcher/image/68623543

Here's a non polarizer shot: http://www.pbase.com/storycatcher/image/67324521
(in retrospect, that last shot should have had the couples on opposite sides so that the light was on the girl's face and the man was in the shadow - oh well)

Brackish
Veteran

May 9, 2007, 4:22 AM

Post #22 of 32 (1671 views)
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Re: [Postal Boy] Anyone tried polarizer for outdoor shots? [In reply to]	Can't Post

I ran across this that explains polarizers a bit more:

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/...als/polarizers.shtml

Brackish
Veteran

May 12, 2007, 9:38 AM

Post #23 of 32 (1628 views)
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Re: [Postal Boy] Anyone tried polarizer for outdoor shots? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Heard about a place that has some great prices on filters.
I guess it's suppose to be reputable:

http://www.2filter.com/..._Circular_Polarizers

Brackish
Veteran

May 21, 2007, 7:01 PM

Post #24 of 32 (1583 views)
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Re: [StillMotion] Anyone tried polarizer for outdoor shots? [In reply to]	Can't Post

I've heard that, when you use a polarizer, you are constantly
adjusting it. That is, you don't just put it on and forget it.

Could someone share their experience regarding what to
look for when making the adjustments?

Alan R
Enthusiast

May 23, 2007, 3:41 PM

Post #25 of 32 (1552 views)
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Re: [Brackish] Anyone tried polarizer for outdoor shots? [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

Hey Brack,

I've done shoots outdoors with and without it and I prefer working with the polarizer.

Hi, Shadow.

So, you leave it on all the time outdoors? What effects
does it do? I know still mentioned that it darkens the
sky.

A lot depends on the sun angle and other factors. I was in Yosemite last week and took these two shots with the polarizer at the same location but different angles:

The sky is much darker in the first image. Both photos were taken with the polarizer rotated to maximum darkening.

BTW, these photos were taken 10,000 feet above sea level at Tioga Pass, hence the snow on the ground.

Alan Robinson
Bonnie Blink Productions

(This post was edited by Alan R on May 23, 2007, 3:43 PM)

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