Polarizing Filter for a Pocket Camera
Face it. As far as I know there is no such thing as a polarizing filter for a pocket camera. Most filters can be simulated by the cameras settings or later by adding effects with photoshop or a similar program.
Polarizing filters, on the other hand just can’t be digitally copied. They actually filter out light waves that are vibrating in certain directions and end up taking a completely different image without much of the reflected light that enters the lens without one. They are essential if you want to take pictures with a deep blue sky and vibrant colors.
I really wanted a polarizing filter for a pocket camera, so I went out and bought a cheap pair of sunglasses with one of those “polarized lens” stickers on it. I then popped one of the lenses out of the frame so I had a piece of polarized plastic to work with. A simple rubber band worked to asphix the “filter” to my pocket camera, and wah lah! I have a polarizing filter for my pocket camera for close to nothing spent and am ready to create compositions with a deep blue sky in them.
The photo above is a blue sky taken without a polarizing filter. It’s ok, but the sky is a bit pale, and has a greenish smoggy tint. Compare it with this one that I took with my makeshift polarizing filter for a pocket camera. You’ll see the blue sky is much deeper, and the white clouds are whiter as well.
I’ve found the rubber band takes a bit too much time to fiddle with, and have learned to simply hold the sunglass lens in front of my camera while I shoot. It takes some juggling, but but I’m pleased with the results.