Using a polarizing filter for photographing basking turtles

[Zach Cava]

Hey, I'm curious if anyone has experimented with using a polarizing filter when photographing basking turtles in order to cut down on glare? Here are a couple shots from last week (no polarizer). Thanks!



Painted Turtles (Chrysemys picta) by Zachary Cava, on Flickr



Painted Turtles (Chrysemys picta) by Zachary Cava, on Flickr







http://www.zacharycava.net

[bgorum]

Cool shots, especially the 2nd one! I don't ever use polarizers. I own one that fits my 70-300, but I'm 100% sure I have never used it. The problem with polarizers is that good ones are very expensive, especially in the sizes needed for telephotos, and they cost you around 2 stops of light. Also, I think the shells of basking turtles are supposed to be shiny. Personally, I'd just shoot in RAW and bring down the whites and highlights a little to reduce the reflections, but I wouldn't want to eliminate them completely.

[Zach Cava]

Thank you - I already have a filter and tripod, so I'll probably try it out. Was just wondering if others had already done it and if so, how the results were. I agree, the shells might look weird without any shininess to them, but the effect may not be so strong.

[chrish]

I haven't ever done it, but I agree that the total absence of reflection might look a bit flat.

I have the same feeling about doing it with amphibians. Too much glare/reflection is bad, none is also bad.

There is an article about an interesting technique for removing glare/reflections when using flash here -
https://www.naturescapes.net/articles/t ... otography/
I don't really like the effect he has created? They are supposed to be shiny, just not too shiny.

[Zach Cava]

That is pretty cool, but I agree that the results look too flat. I tried using a polarizer on my 400mm and don't think it's worth the loss of light.

[Kevin Price]

I use a polarized filter for photographing rock art all the time. it brings out some of the rock art that is almost invisible under normal lighting conditions. That said, I do agree that some reflection is good and too much can make the image look flat. I've never shot basking turtles with a polarized filter, but I do know you can adjust the amount of polarization while twisting the filter. You don't have to go "full polarization" if it diminishes the shot.

[SidNeilson]

I feel that PFs should be used mostly for "paintings" than "true" photos. Although that opinion is biased toward personal experience.