Circular Polarizers seem so confuse a lot of photographers! It’s a straightforward device (with complex science), but the polarizer causes people a lot of frustration because they don’t know how or when to use a polarizer. If you don’t feel like reading here is the “Cliff Notes” version; The only time to use a CPL (Circular Polarizing Filter) is when water is in the scene.
I know a lot of people do like the look of a CPL on blue skies, I don’t. For my taste, the CPL over-saturates skies, and they look fake and over-processed. There are ways to more realistically “fix” a dreary blue sky in Lightroom, but that’s a different blog post.
What is a Circular Polarizer used for?
A CPL will reduce or eliminate the glare, aka icky shiny spots on glass, water, or any wet things. See, that is pretty simple!
If you have had one of my image critiques, then you know I loathe anything that draws my eye away from the subject of the image. Imagine how I feel about hundreds of shiny things scattered through the image.
Extra brownie points if that made sense!
How Do You Use a Circular Polarizer?
Attach the filter to the lens, and you rotate the ring on the front edge of the CPL to “polarize” the scene. The effect will vary by how much you turn the filter ring.
Quick Tip
Look through the CPL in your hand and see what the filter will do to enhance the image. The light conditions may not always be right for a CPL.
CPL Before and After Images




Circular Polarizer Pros and Cons
Reasons to Use A CPL
- Removes Distracting Glare
- Makes Colors Pop
- Helps Slow Shutter Speed
Reasons Not to Use a CPL
- Can wreck sky
- Loses 1 to 3 stops of light
- Unreliable Results
Should You Use A Circular Polarizer?
Anytime you are out in misty weather or photographing waterfalls and, streams a CPL is an essential piece of gear. You can get uneven results when misused, so be sure to check the light by looking through the filter first. Oh, and don’t forget to turn the damn thing!!
What has been your experience with polarizers, let me know in the comments!