CPL results and preferences

Kitty · 01-10-2012, 04:50 PM

I don't know much about CPL use, but want to learn.

I was reading this page, and about 60% of the way down, he has side by side examples with a waterfall. When to use a Circular Polarizer (CPL) - Photography How To - EricLeslie.com

I agree the one without CPL is so washed out, but that one seems more realistic, what the naked eye would see, or I am wrong? Maybe it would see slightly less reflection.

So usually you can turn the CPL less to filter out less reflection? I would want something in between the example photos.

I think the right one cuts out too much reflection, to where some of the water is lost. Would pro photographers all disagree with me and they would like the right photo as is?

Also, separate question, how hard would it be to blend these 2 photos together, to get an "in between" I was thinking of? Just wondering.

Docrwm · 01-10-2012, 05:55 PM

Can't really tell what the scene would look like to the naked eye since neither of us was there and lighting, cloud cover, etc. could make it look like either. I like the CPL photo better and it reminds me more of the really great, clear days working the river. If its not how it looked in reality, it matches my memory of what I've seen better.

As for blending the two, lots of programs for that including Photomatrix (which I believe still allows free trials) available for download online. Not done much blending of multiple photos (even though I've been meaning too for ages) so I can't comment any more about that from experience. The ones I've seen others post using Photomatrix have been impressive though.

Moo · 01-10-2012, 06:07 PM

Originally posted by Kitty

Also, separate question, how hard would it be to blend these 2 photos together, to get an "in between" I was thinking of? Just wondering.

You can rotate the filter to obtain anything between no reflection-cutting effect, and full effect, so yes, you could have half the effect using just the filter, if that's what you want. But like the article says, there may be more than one "direction" of polarized light, so the "right" position for some reflections may be "wrong" for others...
Also, whatever the position of the filter, it'll cut some light out, acting like an ND filter, which may or may not be helpful...

Kitty · 01-10-2012, 06:54 PM

Thanks. I read some more webpages on it too. Seems that oftentimes to optimize, you have to combine multiple photos, usually one area is worsened when the other is improved. Mostly b/c of the ND part and directions, mentioned in the last 2 sentences.

01-10-2012, 04:50 PM	#1
Kitty Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 102	CPL results and preferences I don't know much about CPL use, but want to learn. I was reading this page, and about 60% of the way down, he has side by side examples with a waterfall. When to use a Circular Polarizer (CPL) - Photography How To - EricLeslie.com I agree the one without CPL is so washed out, but that one seems more realistic, what the naked eye would see, or I am wrong? Maybe it would see slightly less reflection. So usually you can turn the CPL less to filter out less reflection? I would want something in between the example photos. I think the right one cuts out too much reflection, to where some of the water is lost. Would pro photographers all disagree with me and they would like the right photo as is? Also, separate question, how hard would it be to blend these 2 photos together, to get an "in between" I was thinking of? Just wondering.

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01-10-2012, 05:55 PM	#2
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	Can't really tell what the scene would look like to the naked eye since neither of us was there and lighting, cloud cover, etc. could make it look like either. I like the CPL photo better and it reminds me more of the really great, clear days working the river. If its not how it looked in reality, it matches my memory of what I've seen better. As for blending the two, lots of programs for that including Photomatrix (which I believe still allows free trials) available for download online. Not done much blending of multiple photos (even though I've been meaning too for ages) so I can't comment any more about that from experience. The ones I've seen others post using Photomatrix have been impressive though.

01-10-2012, 06:07 PM	#3
Moo Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 173	Originally posted by Kitty Also, separate question, how hard would it be to blend these 2 photos together, to get an "in between" I was thinking of? Just wondering. You can rotate the filter to obtain anything between no reflection-cutting effect, and full effect, so yes, you could have half the effect using just the filter, if that's what you want. But like the article says, there may be more than one "direction" of polarized light, so the "right" position for some reflections may be "wrong" for others... Also, whatever the position of the filter, it'll cut some light out, acting like an ND filter, which may or may not be helpful...

01-10-2012, 06:54 PM	#4
Kitty Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 102 Original Poster	Thanks. I read some more webpages on it too. Seems that oftentimes to optimize, you have to combine multiple photos, usually one area is worsened when the other is improved. Mostly b/c of the ND part and directions, mentioned in the last 2 sentences.