Hey Robguv
I had a look at the images that you have posted in your Matador profile and I can't see one that would have been better by using a polariser.
Whether a polarising filter will help your images differs depending on what you are shooting. Certainly it would help in the instances where there is a lot of light sky which is darkened by using a polarising filter, or when photographing windows or glass, as the filter will cut out a lot of reflections.
The downside of a polarising filter is that it cuts out a lot of light, so you would have to use a slower shutter speed or a lower number aperture (than without a filter) to compensate. Some of the darker polar filters can alter an image's exposure reading by 1-2 stops. Plus, there are 2 types of polarising filter - linear and circular - and you must choose the correct one to operate on your camera. If you have an autofocus SLR, then the circular one is for you.
If there's one filter that I would recommend for use at all times, it would be a UV filter. This can cut out unnecessary haze or glare caused by UV light. It does not affect the image exposure readings. It's also a good protective surface in front of your camera lens - better to risk damage/scratching to a cheaper filter than to a more expensive lens.
Post-processing of digital images in programs (such as Photoshop) has seen a reduction in the use of filters, as so much can now be done to an image after it has been taken that couldn't easily be performed in the days of shooting film.
I would think that having a set of images that is properly exposed and post-processed, sharp, cropped correctly and relevant to your story would help you a lot better than any filter could.
Trust this helps.
regards
Michele (nzm)
Thanks for your comments, they are very welcome and I will take on board what you have said. I actually have a UV filter, it came free with a lens I bought!
If you have any other hints I am all ears!
I probably have a lot of hints and more advice than you'd care to receive, but I don't think that the Forum is big enough for it all! ;-)
Please feel free to email [matdxb(at)freenet.de] me with any questions and I'd be happy to advise you as best I can, or at least point you in the right direction.
regards
Michele
Again, thanks for the reply.
At the moment I am still a beginner when it comes to photography but I quickly need to get to grips with a few key issues that I think might make my photography better.
Firstly the 'ev' function on my camera, I don't really understand how to utilise it properly, to make it work for me as it were.
Then white balancing my camera in different situations, how important is a white card or similar?
Finally flash photography. Sometimes I have to photograph food in dark restaurants or in similar dark environments and they don't usually look fantastic. My camera, Samsung GX 1L, has a built in flash but I don't seem to be able to produce natural looking shots with it. I don't think I have flash compensation on this camera which, I would imagine severely limits how good my photographs can be, doesn't it? Will I ultimately need to buy an external flash to be able to get better control?
I really appreciate your help and you might even get a mention in my memoirs!
Rob
Joined: 08-25-08
I have read on a few web sites that some filters, a polarising filter in particular, could help my photography. I'm not a pro photographer but quality photographs help editors chose my writing so any tips about filters, or anything else would be greatly appreciated.