Hi Everyone,
I recently acquired the Singh-Ray Gold-N-Blue Polarizer Filter. I enjoy photographing waterfalls and almost always use a regular polarizer. I saw some of the effects that using this filter offers, so I thought I'd give it a shot. I have used it on some waterfalls with varied success. I would appreciate it if anyone has used this filter and for what other photographic subjects could benefit from its use.
Thanks,
Gene, Andover, NJ
Posted by Kent Staubus on August 24, 2006 at 8:50 AM
I have the Cokin equiv., the blue/yellow 173. I've found it very tricky to use. I sometimes use it to help make a washed out sky more blue or add a "sunset" look to a scene. Another use is to make ponds and small lakes appear more blue. All in all, I don't use it a whole lot. It's an example of my buying gear without having a clearly thought out purpose for it before I bought it.
I tried it a couple of times and didn't like the results. The results always looked too "gimicky". I have seen others make some stunning images with it though (Darwin Wiggett comes to mind).
I've got the Cokin version too, and everyone is right about it being tricky to use. In my experience it is a special circumstance tool rather than one for general application. It's very good when sunsets are a bit muted, especially in the period before colors fully develop. It also depends a bit upon the range of colors in a scene. I like it for dealing with muddy rivers in the Southwest. It can "clean" a muddy river with a flick of the wrist.
As a bracket I often shoot a scene straight, then with a couple of versions (blue vs yellow) with the filter-- all on a tripod. In exactly the same way you blend exposures to deal with DR issues, you can put the modified version in a second layer and selectively apply it to a scene, such as I mentioned with muddy rivers in the SW.
As for the "way out there" affects that are possible, our fellow photographers may not like them but clients and GA's love them. It boils down to the age-old question of "purity" in your natural images versus unnatural effects. Lotsa debate over the years about creative filter affects versus purity. I've got bills to pay, so I let my checking account have a vote in the debate.
OK, here is a secret to using a BG filter - make sure there is something white in the scene (or off white), and if not, shoot one photo with something white in there or a gray card. Then while doing your RAW conversion, pop the white area with the eye dropper and watch what happens - most of the image will instantly become color balanced, with just enough pop from the blue/gold in some areas that it will often make a stunning - and perfectly natural - photo. Using the filter without doing this white balance normally produces a sick image...
Discussion
5 repliesI recently acquired the Singh-Ray Gold-N-Blue Polarizer Filter. I enjoy photographing waterfalls and almost always use a regular polarizer. I saw some of the effects that using this filter offers, so I thought I'd give it a shot. I have used it on some waterfalls with varied success. I would appreciate it if anyone has used this filter and for what other photographic subjects could benefit from its use.
Thanks,
Gene, Andover, NJ
Kent in SD
Guy
sandy R
As a bracket I often shoot a scene straight, then with a couple of versions (blue vs yellow) with the filter-- all on a tripod. In exactly the same way you blend exposures to deal with DR issues, you can put the modified version in a second layer and selectively apply it to a scene, such as I mentioned with muddy rivers in the SW.
As for the "way out there" affects that are possible, our fellow photographers may not like them but clients and GA's love them. It boils down to the age-old question of "purity" in your natural images versus unnatural effects. Lotsa debate over the years about creative filter affects versus purity. I've got bills to pay, so I let my checking account have a vote in the debate.
Tim Ernst in Arkansas