The polarizing filter is one of the most popular filters among nature and landscape photographers. Its task is to eliminate reflections. This works especially well when the photographer shoots at a right angle to the light source. For example, when using a polarizing filter, the sun should come from the side if possible. If the sun is behind me or if I am photographing against the sun, the polarizing filter will work only to a very limited extent or not at all. A polarizing filter is usually screwed into the filter thread of the lens from the front. With cell phones or compact cameras, you simply hold the filter in front of the lens. If you look through the camera at the water surface of the Hermann pond with the filter screwed in, you can turn the polarizing filter. You will find a position of the filter where hardly any reflections can be seen on the water surface (picture 1: without polarizing filter, picture 2: with polarizing filter).With the help of a polarizing filter, the photographer can thus decide at the edge of a body of water: If a reflection in the water looks interesting, he photographs it. However, if it is boring or disturbing, he can eliminate it with a polarizing filter. Then the color of the water is visible on the picture. What is beautiful and more interesting is decided by the one behind the camera himself.
Task:
Water surfaces are mirrors. In village (and sometimes in nature) there are other mirrors. What could they be? Pay attention to such reflections. Try different perspectives and shooting locations until you see an interesting motif in the mirror. Capture as little as possible of the surroundings besides the reflection - but as much as necessary to make it clear what your subject is reflected in.
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