To Polarize or not to Polarize? Examples Showing Effect on Color Balance

2021-07-11 • SEND FEEDBACK |
Related: filters, polarizer, raw file processing, white balance and tint

A high quality polarizer with uniform spectral transmission should in and of itself cause little change in color balance, particularly those made with the very best polarization foils, such as from Breakthrough Photography (most polarizers use generic decades-old stuff which is not so great).

However, particularly at high altitudes, the polarization effect is not confined to cutting glare or darkening the sky—a polarizer can radically affect the color balance.

In Making Sharp Images, I’ve added to my discussion of polarizer usage:

Making Sharp Images: Polarizer Impact on Color Balance

Includes two examples, each with toggle between MIN/MAX polarization, with striking differences.

Greenstone Lake

f9 @ 1/80 sec electronic shutter, ISO 100; 2021-06-12 11:20:16
Fujifilm GFX100S + Fujifilm GF 50mm f/3.5 R LM WR @ 41.1mm equiv (50mm) + polarizer Breakthrough Photography X4
ENV: Greenstone Lake, altitude 10050 ft / 3063 m, 65°F / 18°C
RAW: vignetting corrected, diffraction mitigating sharpening

[low-res image for bot]