I REGRET NOT Buying This Sooner...

Danny Bligh
6 Mar 202408:01

TLDRThe video transcript discusses the transformative impact of a Circular Polarizing (CPL) filter on the quality of photos and videos. The speaker expresses regret for not using one sooner and shares how it has become a permanent fixture in their camera bag. The CPL filter is praised for its ability to reduce glare and reflections, enhancing the saturation and vibrance of images, particularly in outdoor settings. It's also highlighted as essential for car photography and shooting through glass. However, the speaker cautions that while the filter can improve images, it can also cause issues like vignetting and color shifts if not used correctly. They advise on adjusting the filter's strength and setting the white balance after applying it. The video also touches on the use of CPL filters with other filters and their application in drone photography. The speaker recommends purchasing a CPL filter that fits the largest lens and fits within one's budget, emphasizing the significant improvement it can bring to image quality.

Takeaways

  • 📸 **Circular Polarizing Filter (CPL)**: A must-have for photographers and videographers to enhance the quality of images and videos.
  • 🌟 **Professional Look**: CPL can make photos and videos look more professional by reducing glare and reflections.
  • 🎨 **Enhanced Colors**: It can add saturation and vibrance back into images that may appear washed out due to sunlight.
  • 🚗 **Car Photography Essential**: CPL filters are almost a necessity for car photography to reduce reflections on the paintwork.
  • 🔍 **Clear Through Glass**: Useful for shooting through windows or other reflective surfaces by minimizing reflections.
  • 😀 **Natural Look in Portraits**: CPL filters can reduce unwanted shine on faces, especially in bright sunlight, for a more natural appearance.
  • 📷 **Double Shooting Technique**: Taking two photos from the same location with different CPL filter angles and selecting the best parts in post-production.
  • 🔧 **Adjustable Filter**: The effect of a CPL filter changes with camera angle, requiring adjustments for optimal results.
  • 🚫 **Avoid Overuse**: Overusing a CPL filter can lead to unnatural looking images; it's important to adjust or not use it at all in some situations.
  • 📐 **Vignetting Issue**: Using a CPL with wide-angle lenses (24mm or wider) can sometimes cause vignetting in the image.
  • 💰 **Budget Consideration**: It's recommended to buy a CPL filter that fits the largest lens and fits within budget for experimentation.

Q & A

  • What is the main purpose of a Circular Polarizing (CPL) filter?

    -The main purpose of a CPL filter is to reduce glare and reflections in your images, enhance color saturation and vibrance, and improve the overall professional look of photos and videos.

  • Why is a CPL filter particularly useful in car photography?

    -A CPL filter is particularly useful in car photography because it helps reduce reflections in the car's paintwork, allowing for a clearer image of the car's details.

  • How can a CPL filter affect the appearance of water in an image?

    -A CPL filter can reduce reflections on the water's surface, often caused by the sky, resulting in a better-looking image with less overexposed, bright white areas on the water.

  • What is one potential issue that can arise when using a CPL filter?

    -One potential issue is that a CPL filter can sometimes introduce a vignette effect, particularly in the sky, making certain parts appear darker than the rest of the image.

  • Why is it recommended to use a tripod when taking multiple photos with a CPL filter?

    -Using a tripod is recommended because it allows for consistent framing and composition when taking multiple photos with the CPL filter adjusted at different angles, making the post-production process easier.

  • What is the impact of a CPL filter on the amount of light entering the lens?

    -A CPL filter reduces the amount of light that can enter the lens, which may require an increase in exposure settings to compensate for the reduced light.

  • How does the CPL filter affect the color balance of an image?

    -CPL filters can slightly warm up the image, causing a minor color shift. It is advised to set the white balance after applying the filter to account for any color shifts in the camera settings.

  • Can CPL filters be used with other types of filters?

    -Yes, CPL filters can be used with other filters, but caution is needed when combining them with a variable ND filter, as it may affect the polarization and result in different outcomes.

  • What is the advice for someone who is considering buying a CPL filter?

    -The advice is to buy a CPL filter that fits your largest lens and is well within your budget. Experiment with it to see how it enhances your images and then decide if it's a tool you want to use more frequently.

  • Why might a photographer choose not to use a CPL filter at full strength all the time?

    -A photographer might choose not to use a CPL filter at full strength all the time because eliminating reflections entirely can make the image look flat and unnatural. It's important to adjust the filter's strength or not use it at all in certain situations for the best results.

  • What is the role of a CPL filter when filming through a window or any transparent barrier?

    -A CPL filter helps reduce reflections in the glass, allowing the camera to see the subject through the transparent barrier more clearly.

  • How does the quality of a CPL filter affect the results in terms of color shift?

    -The quality of a CPL filter can vary, with some brands potentially causing a larger amount of polarization, which might make the image look less natural. However, setting the white balance after applying the filter can help mitigate color shift issues.

Outlines

00:00

📸 The Impact of CPL Filters on Photography and Videography

The first paragraph introduces the Circular Polarizing (CPL) filter as a game-changer for enhancing the professional look of photos and videos. It emphasizes the regret of not using one sooner and the wide range of subjects it can benefit, including portraiture, landscapes, and automotive work. The speaker discusses the premium price for higher quality CPL filters and the potential for both improved and ruined images, depending on its use. The CPL filter's ability to reduce glare and reflections, enhance color saturation and vibrance, and improve clarity through glass is highlighted. The paragraph also cautions about potential issues, such as creating unwanted reflections or a vignetted look, and the need for adjustment and experimentation with the filter.

05:01

🔍 Considerations and Tips for Using CPL Filters

The second paragraph delves into the specifics of using CPL filters, including the potential for color shifts and the importance of setting white balance after applying the filter. It mentions the possibility of using CPL filters with other types of filters, such as variable ND filters, and the need for caution when doing so. The paragraph also addresses the use of CPL filters with action cameras and drones, noting their effectiveness in improving landscape photography. It discusses the impact of CPL filters on light entering the lens and the subsequent need for increased exposure. The speaker shares personal experiences with different brands of CPL filters, emphasizing that the cost does not necessarily correlate with better results. The advice given is to purchase a CPL filter that fits the largest lens and is within budget, and to experiment with it to see its effects on image quality.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Circular Polarizing Filter (CPL)

A Circular Polarizing Filter, or CPL, is an optical filter used in photography and videography to reduce reflections and glare from non-metallic surfaces, thereby increasing the contrast and color saturation of the images. In the video, the speaker emphasizes the importance of CPL filters in enhancing the quality of photos and videos by demonstrating how they can improve the appearance of various subjects such as landscapes, portraits, and car photography.

💡Glare

Glare refers to the harsh, bright light that can cause a washed-out appearance in images, particularly when shooting in direct sunlight. The video discusses how a CPL filter can help reduce glare on subjects like faces and reflective surfaces, leading to more natural and well-exposed photographs.

💡Reflections

Reflections are images formed by the bouncing of light from a surface. In photography, unwanted reflections can detract from the subject's clarity. The script mentions that CPL filters are effective in minimizing reflections on water surfaces and car paintwork, thus improving the overall image quality.

💡Saturation

Saturation refers to the intensity or purity of the colors in an image. The video script explains that using a CPL filter can enhance the saturation, making colors appear more vibrant and the image more visually appealing, especially in situations with high glare or reflective environments.

💡Vibrance

Vibrance is a term used to describe the liveliness and brightness of colors in an image. The video highlights that CPL filters can add vibrance back into an image that may have been negatively affected by glare or reflections, resulting in more professional-looking photos and videos.

💡Overexposed

An overexposed image is one where the highlights are too bright, often resulting in a loss of detail. The speaker in the video script discusses how CPL filters can prevent overexposure, particularly in outdoor photography where the sun can cause certain areas of the image to become too bright.

💡Vignetting

Vignetting is a gradual darkening or fading of an image towards its corners. The video warns that CPL filters can sometimes introduce vignetting, especially when used with wider focal lengths, which can affect the overall look of the image if not managed properly.

💡Focal Length

Focal length is the distance from the center of the lens to the point where it focuses light onto the camera sensor. The video script advises using a CPL filter with caution on lenses with wider focal lengths, as it can lead to vignetting or other unwanted effects.

💡White Balance

White balance is the process of adjusting the colors in an image so that they appear natural under a given set of lighting conditions. The video emphasizes the importance of setting the white balance after applying filters like CPL to ensure color accuracy and prevent unwanted color shifts.

💡Variable ND Filter

A Variable ND (Neutral Density) Filter is a type of filter that can vary the amount of light entering the lens, providing control over exposure without affecting color. The video script mentions that CPL filters can be used alongside variable ND filters, but care must be taken as adding too many filters can affect the image quality.

💡Action Cameras

Action cameras are compact, durable cameras designed for capturing high-action and extreme sports footage. The video script notes that CPL filters are not just for traditional cameras but can also be beneficial for action cameras like GoPros, especially for improving the quality of landscape shots taken from drones.

Highlights

The next few minutes could change the way your photos and videos look, making them more professional.

The speaker regrets not having a circular polarizing filter (CPL) sooner for improving old photos.

A CPL filter is a permanent addition to the speaker's camera bag due to its versatility.

CPL filters are suitable for a variety of subjects including portraiture, landscapes, and automotive work.

Paying a premium price for a better quality CPL filter may not always guarantee more premium results.

CPL filters can reduce glare and reflections, enhancing the color saturation and vibrance in images.

Using a CPL filter can improve the appearance of water reflections in landscape photography.

CPL filters are essential for car photography to reduce reflections in the paintwork.

Shooting through glass, such as car windows, benefits from CPL filters by reducing reflections.

CPL filters can help manage overexposure and shine on faces when photographing people in sunlight.

Adjusting a CPL filter can control the amount of glare and reflection in an image.

Taking multiple photos with slight adjustments to the CPL filter can help select the best parts in post-production.

Using a CPL filter can sometimes introduce vignetting or darkened areas in the sky.

Wider focal lengths can cause issues with CPL filters, so using a narrower focal length is recommended.

Filters should be used judiciously as overuse can lead to flat and unnatural images.

CPL filters can cause a slight color shift, so it's important to set the white balance after applying the filter.

CPL filters can be used with other filters, but caution is needed when combining with variable ND filters.

The cost of a CPL filter does not necessarily correlate with the quality of the results.

The speaker advises buying a CPL filter that fits the largest lens and is within budget for experimentation.

CPL filters can significantly increase image quality by adding saturation and reducing reflections.