Originally posted by weaponx525 Thank you for all the replies. The photoshop tips will definitely help. This time around I will try to go through with the RAW processing route. The tips regarding the polarizer and 90 degrees to the sun I am aware of, but I am a little confused though.
For example is it always possible to be 90 degrees to the sun? I mean, if for example your composition does not allow for it, what would be the best compromise?
To answer your question... No, it isn't always possible to be 90 degrees to the sun, and the only time you are really guaranteed it is mid-day, which is often the worst time of day for lighting, and more importantly lack of shadows, which often flatten images.
The best compromise, is to do your best. When you are not 90 degrees to the sun, the polarizer will still work to some extent unless the sun is directly in front or behind you. It doesn't hurt to try it out anyway. If it isn't going to work, it isn't going to work... You'll know as you try to adjust the polarizer and nothing appears to happen. The in between angles, you'll see some influence of the polarizer, and I often find that some is better than none, especially when cutting down on haze is involved.
The only other suggestion I'd make is that I've found there have been instances where I've gotten a bit too carried away with a polarizer, especially when you are at that 90 degree angle. The result doesn't often look bad when taking the shot or even on the LCD, but I've found plenty of instances where the sky is just too blue to the point where it doesn't look natural. I've learned to cut back a bit or go for a middle ground. This becomes especially helpful when you are using a wide angle lens since the whole shot cannot be at 90 degrees. The results end up being a strong polarized effect on one side of the image and a not polarized effect on the opposite if the field of view is wide enough.
Polarizers are fun to use and they are worth playing with just as you might in bracketing exposures... i.e. try a shot with and without, and then judge the best when you get home. I often do that when shooting items with reflections. I'll often use a polarizer to eliminate reflections but shoot one with the reflection because I've found that the reflection helped the image.