A polarizer takes out the blue light from open skies.

Notice the difference in colours.  Exact same settings, except the right image used a polarizer.

Those who have used a polarizer generally know about deepening blue skies and taking the haze off of reflective surfaces.  However, many are not aware of their effect on improving the colours of the scene.

As you can see in the above photos, the colours of the tree are much more vivid when a polarizer filter is used.  The grass also seems more alive and healthy instead of hosting a pallid blue hue.  That's because the polarizer strips the polarized light coming from the open sky, which is mostly blue in colour.

Although both photos have a certain appeal, the right one pops more - the fall colours are move vivid and intense.  As I mentioned above, both images were taken with the same camera and camera settings and were treated in post in the same way; the only difference is that one had a polarizer and the other did not.

Yesterday's blog also mentioned polarizers; the angle of the sun relative to the camera is important and has a significant role in the outcome.  In the above photos, you can see that the shadows are coming from the left; the sun is at about the 9 o'clock position.  

Thanks for reading.

Eric Svendsen     www.ericspix.com

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