Effects of Polarizing Filters

These two pictures were taken to show the effects of a polarizing filter. A polarizing filter cuts reflections which makes it a very important piece of equipment when photographing creeks and waterfalls.

Take a look at what the polarizer can do.

This was taken without a polarizer. Notice the very bright reflections in the water and the reflections on the leaves in the upper right portion of the image.

This was taken with a polarizer. You can see much more color in the leaves and the water isn't as reflective.

Sometimes cutting the reflections isn't always the desired effect. The polarizing filter is used by twisting the filter while it is on the lens so you don't have to take off the filter if you want reflections and you can make slight adjustments between its full power and not using it at all.